Ascites in Cats

My cat Koda's stomach recently balooned up and the vet told us it was ascites. The vet took a fluid sample and blood sample and couldn't figure out what was the cause and the animal hospital we took him to, did a sonogram and couldn't figure out the cause either. We haven't had any other tests done for him because we don't have the money to get all tests done. They took a liter of fluid out but we think it's building up again. In terms of symptoms, he's eating his soft food fine, but he's not eating his hard food and he's less active but other then that and looking like a pear from above, he seems fine. Is there anything you'd suggest us try?

I have a 17 yr old male cat who is recently suffering from ascites. About a month ago he developed a hot spot on his hind leg which was cultured and he was given a shot of antibiotics. Blood work was performed which showed elevated liver and kidney levels. the hot spot has healed and he seems fine except he's beginning to be uncomfortable from the fluid buildup. A brief ultrasound confirmed the fluid. No further tests were recommended and I was told to bring him home and love him as we wait for the inevitable. I'm worried that there may be more which could be done to help him. I don't have a lot of money but would like to not just give up on him without a little more information.

my cat was diagnosed with Kidney disease last march ..he is now 17.5 years of age ..and has otherwise been in good health for his entire life. weve had him on fortekor tablets (benazepril hydrochloride) also potassium powder which has helped him tremendously for 10 months... since then he has now developed ascites in his abdomen...this cat is amazing he is still eating and drinking ..the vet told me to have him on plasmalyte subcut fluids 3x weekly BUT he is eating and drinking ..should he STILL be on subcut fluids if hes eating and drinki g >> im worried these excess fluids will contribute to TOO much fluid in his body ??? are the two things related ? The vet tapped teh ascites last week and we determined theres NO cancer .. the fluids were just transudates ..... question ...should i keep having the transudates drained every week ? keep him on subcut fluids or not ? and is THERE ANYTHING ELSE we can do about the ascites ?? very much appreciate this second opinion ...

Dear Doctor,

My kitten, Yoda, is 4.5 months old (siamese). His sister died a few weeks ago and the Vet summed it up to be FIP as there was eye discharge, nasal blockage, difficulty in breathing, fever, loss of appetite, failing liver and ofcourse water in the abdomen.

Yoda seemed fine through this period, but since the last 10 days his body has begun acting up- fever and loss of appetite. Ive taken him to the vet several times and with IV meds and fluids he seems to do fine. Not his playful self, but stable. However, in one recent visit the doc caught glimpse of a swollen belly and Ultrasound showed there was water in the abdomen and an affected liver.

Im not certain where this leaves us now? No one says its FIP but no one knows whats going on. The only advise I get is to keep the drip and IV meds on and maybe liver supplements. Could this be FIP? If yes, what should be my plan? I knoow theres no cure and its difficult to diagnose but as a parent, i just want to know what I can do to help my little one.

Thank you.

The family cat , a black ASH age about 2 years, fixed ,male , from Humane society. Seen a year ago by vet given good bill of health at that time.
Began getting a big round swollen belly that makes him look like a fuzzy bowling ball . He has become somewhat lethargic between spurts of high energy , drinking 2 -3 x as much water as he used to , has laboured raspy breathing when at rest, has stopped eating his normal daily amount, has possibly been exposed to worms eating live rats or possible dead poisoned rats. Indoor cat, fed adult Science Diet dry kibbles, and fed daily can of Fancy Feast wet food.

My cat breathing seems heavier than befor , i suspect that she has ascitis although there is no signs of abd discomfort loss off apetite or weight gain or loss , her abd does seem tense but when i pet her abd she doesnt show discomfort how can i be sure?

Hello! My 12 year old cat recently had a problem eating. He would be interested in food but unable to keep it down. This has been happening for about a month. He lost half his body weight going from 14 pounds to 8 pounds! He has a history of mast cell disease and diabetes (though recently he regulated himself) He had an xray done today and it showed a growth in his abdomen and fluid buildup around his heart and lungs. The vet suggested I put him down or see a specialist to receive furthur diagnosis. I asked if she could give him a fluid shot to help him get some energy and she agreed and gave me some urgent care cat food to feed him in a dropper/syringe. But we came home and he has eaten on his own without the syringe and is drinking water and peeing a lot. My question is, is this positive? Can the fluid buildup he has around his organs be eliminated through his urine? I know that CHF and things like it in humans is treated that way so could kitty be trying to help his own body get rid of the fluid? Also he has eaten more today than he has all week...so is this also a positive sign? In light of the growth would abdominocentesis be advisable from a specialist to make him more comfortable while we assess his treatment and surgical options?

My 11 week old kitten has build up a large accumulation of fluid between her 9th and 10th week. We took her to the vet. He analyzed some fluid from her and said it was some type of liver issue, with compression of the organ causing its dysfunction. He drained the fluid yesterday but it seems her belly is already filling a bit today. He ruled out FIP. There is a lack of diagonistic technology where I live, and he isn't able to determine the exact cause. Are there any suggestions for possible causes or treatments? She seems totally healthy other wise, eating and drinking well, no toliet issues-going regulary, etc, playful, curious, generally happy. I hate to think of putting her down, but not sure if there is much to be done. He put her on steriods. Would it make sense to drain one more time to let the steriods work?

Hi Yes she has had this for years. Recent trip to a vet suggest to change her food and feed less
She has half cup bench and field dry and 3oz of canned tuna. She purrs and cleans but is more lethargic and seems like it is bothering her. Should I get another opinion? First vet said to give her a rabies vac and lower cal food and that is it.
Thank you

My cat is a big eater loves food. His appetite has diminished his belly is swollen and hard. Blood test came back normal, x ray came back normal. We have an appointment for an ultrasound. If his kidney function is normal on blood work, blood cell count normal etc. What else could it be.

My male cat has dysplasia of tricuspid valve and has ascite. He is 1 year old and weights about 9 pounds. He takes 1 ml of injectable Lasix every 8 hours but he still doesn’t eliminate all the liquid he drinks. His veterinarian suggested puncture and I am desperate because the cat can’t take it any more. Please tell me what other DIURETIC - MORE EFFICIENT - I could at least try ?
I know he is not going to recover. I know he is going to die. But maybe if I can keep him around for just a little while without make him suffer too much.

My cat has fluid in her lungs and abdomen. The vet told me it’s serious even though he couldn’t diagnose what my cat has with just x rays and blood work. He did say her heart didn’t look great in the X-ray and hinted at heart disease. He suggested putting her down when she becomes too uncomfortable and I agree. I’m not one to keep taking my cat to the vet for treatment because she absolutely hates it there. She isn’t an easy cat to give medicine too either. All I want to know is if there is anything I can do at home to help. Any special diet? Do I encourage exercise? Also if acsites ever goes away on its own? We never drained the fluid so I don’t know if it’s blood either.

On a side note, my cat had gotten into a bad fight 6 weeks ago she had an abscess that cleared up with antibiotics. The fluid buildup and lethargy started right after this fight. The vet told me that the fight and her symptoms now are unrelated. But the bite wound was on the upper part of her shoulder, could the fight be related to the fluid build up now?

My kitten is only 24 days old, and I feel a stinky smells from her genital area. Her abdomen is also not in normal shape, its big. She is unable to eat properly. Is there any medicin to help her? should I use lasix to remove her abdominal fluid? I feed them with home made kmr. is that ok with them?

My 8 month old male domestic shorthair kitten was recently diagnosed with E. Coli in his urine and today the x-ray report showed a fluid build up in his abdominal cavity. He is eating way less than he used to and is very lethargic and is spending most of his time sleeping. He was a very playgul kitty before this. Also he is having difficulty in urinating and sometimes groaning in pain while sitting down. What can be the cause of this? What can I do?

My cat is 8 years old male. The condition started a month ago before that he was fine. The condition started by poisoning due to insect repellent then severe soft tissue inflammation and vertebral column stenosis due to wrong movement during injection. The condition was treated by metronidazole, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and vitamin B. He was getting perfectly well. Then 2 days after that I noticed him breathing with difficulty and having tender, bloated abdomen filled with fluids and having diarrhea twice which is black in color. The vet said that he is having bad stage liver impairment and gave him silymarin and ursodeoxycholic acid but nothing to get rid of the excessive fluids. I’m asking what can be done more

my cat is now 13 years old and out of the blue has water in belly but not lungs, blood test has come back, red cells are a Little out but there is Nothing my Vet can put a finger on to treat her. Shes had antibotics and 2 water drains. After the last drain she droped water from her belly for over 8 hours on the Floor the Color was milky and sometimes clear. As soon as the water in her belly went down, she started to over drink water and within 2 days her belly is not only back but larger. Shes Eating small amounts of Food every 2 Hours and she now has Trouble with breathing. we had her at 6 weeks old with her brother, both where unwanted kittens, at 6 months both where ill and close to death, blood test Shows FIP contact/carrier, we had luck and they both pulled through. Now at a loss do not know what to do! as she only has water in belly could she have a drain fitted to let the water Keep driping out?
Or is it time to let her go?

I just had my 14 year old kitty to the vet because he wasn't pooping for over 5 days. Blood work and xrays revealed he has fluid in his abdomen. When some fluid was withdrawn it was pinkish in color but not sticky indicating internal bleeding but not infection. Without getting a full ultrasound I don't know if it is cancer or something else. I love my Sammy dearly but can't afford more testing and possible surgery. If he were younger I would get more testing done. Is there any treatment to keep him comfortable ? He is drinking water and still using the litter box but not eating anything and sleeps most of the time. He doesn't seem to be in pain and purrs when I hold him. I just can't bear to have him put to sleep and would like him to pass at home if possible. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.