Ascites in Cats

My cat has a big stomach and it is also hard. I think she might have ascites and i wanna take her to a vet but it is too expensive. I was looking up ways to treat it, but it doesn’t really give me anything. The only treatment it did give me was ascites in humans. What do you think i should do?

My cat is suffering from fluid accumulation in the abdomen,we consulted a vet. who said he is not sure about the reason ,he assumes it to be tumor,but he is not sure.We live in that part of the country where medical fecilities for animals are scarce.Lately the cat has a temperature of 105 degree. Please help us ,can you prescribe us some medicine.

My cat has been examined with ascites and blood cloth around heart with enlargement and fluid buildup in abdomen and lungs. Loss of appetite is seen and cat wants to eat but won’t eat. Liquid intake is ok and urine is passing. Creating is 2.34 hemi is 220. Am struggling to make it eat. Only licks whiskas jelly a little.

My cat is 25 old days she has a tender abdomen when she stands the abdomen kinda looks bagy so I searched google which said ascites but there is no symptoms she eats correct , sleeps and even plays well she urinates well these is no foul smell or discharge in eye nose and vagina but I am scared I don't know what it is I don't have any vet near or even distance in the place I live pls reply

As hard as it is for me to write this, I feel that by sharing my experience, and my mistakes, I may help someone out there facing similar illness in their beloved cat-friend-child. My ~12years old Bengal friend, Gus, has always been a high energy and very affectionate cat - like a little boy. (We got him from a cats foster-home in 2012) He had a little bloody diarrhea episode on 26th Dec 2018, which made us take him to a VCA specialty clinic for a checkup (doctors at this clinic referred to as 'A' in below) They did a complete blood-work/ultrasound which was unremarkable for most part. His ultrasound showed some thickening in intestinal walls, and a possibility of a hypoehoic mass (darkened region on ultrasound) between his pancreas and spleen. They didn't find it to be too concerning at that point, and sent him home with some antibiotics. The meds helped and he was back to his normal solid-poop self. However starting 2nd week of Feb, we started noticing a little bulge in his abdomen, which I ignorantly attributed to him possibly eating more and gaining weight. (Mistake #1: Knowing how athletic a cat he was, I should have not imagined him gaining belly-fat, and taken him in for a check-up right away).
Over next week, I changed his diet a little (he was always fed canned wet food, Wellness for most part) to use high-protein/less-fat, but his abdomen kept getting bigger over next week. I finally took him to a vet (this doctor referred to as 'B' in below) for a checkup on 21st Feb. Gus had gained about 3 pounds since Dec, and Dr. 'B' confirmed that he had fluid in his abdomen. Dr B drained about 3/4 pounds of fluid out and sent it for cytology, as well as, did a complete blood work (CBC, and renal profile). The blood work was good, except for the WBC being slightly higher than upper range). Dr. 'B' suspected FIV, but since the drained fluid was more pink in color and not milky, he wasn't sure. The cytology report two days later confirmed that it was not FIV. There was no clear diagnosis in the cytology report except for a possibility of some kind of neoplasia (cancerous growth) due to uneven RBC sizes observed in cytology test. At this point, looking at Gus' previous ultrasound report from Dec, Dr. B suspected that the hypoechoic mass noticed behind his pancreas back then could have been some kind of cyst, and if that was the case, he'd recommend taking it out surgically. We took Gus back to clinic 'A' on Mon 25th Feb for another echo/ultrasound. The echo was excellent, no issues in the heart. The ultrasound turned out to be better than before - no signs of hypoechoic mass behind his pancreas, but there was still some thickening noticed in his intestinal walls, and the radiologist at 'A' also noticed some nodules like formations in there. Based on these findings, the vet at 'A' suspected a possibility of some kind of neoplasia/lymphoma, and recommended doing a needle-biopsy on live for further evaluation, followed by starting Gus on Predinsole steroid tablets. They also recommended not to drain all of fluid in Gus' abdomen out, as that might have put pressure on his heart. I consulted with Dr. 'B' about this, and Dr. 'B' stressed that doing an exploratory biopsy surgery on Gus would be a better option than the needle biopsy as that may not get the affected tissue sample. I was so paralyzed in my mind that evening that I agreed to Dr. B's recommendation of invasive biopsy surgery (Mistake# 2 !), without making him discuss the pros/cons of the invasive surgery, vs. starting with steroid/anti-biotics treatment, and impact on Gus's remaining quality of life. Dr. B claimed that the biopsy surgery was not a big deal, and was as simple surgical procedure as neutering a cat. In hindsight, if I had known that the surgery could make it harder for Gus's immune system to fight on two fronts (the possible lymphoma, and healing surgical wounds), and that the prognosis would be no better than simply starting him on steroid treatment advised by 'A', I would have said no to the invasive procedure. But I just wasn't thinking clearly at that fated Monday evening. The Dr. 'B' arranged the surgery on Tue the 26th Feb, and asked me to not feed Gus after midnight. I dropped Gus off at ‘B’ around noon. However, the surgery didn’t start until around 4pm that evening. Originally Dr. B was planning to keep him overnight at his clinic for observation of his recovery, but then he changed his mind around 7pm and asked us to take Gus home as he wasn’t willing to eat. I picked Gus up around 7:30pm and took him home with only instructions to give him Entyce syringes if needed. Dr. ‘B’ seemed to have just assume that Gus would start eating at home, and didn’t give us any guidelines on force-feeding him. Gus was extremely weak and wobbly that night, and just laid on his side with eyes open all night. It seemed that he was in pain, and still not willing to eat. I did not try to force-feed him worrying that he might vomit, imagining that his symptoms must be effects of the anesthesia. (* Mistake# 3!). Gus did drink lots of water next morning, but still no willingness to eat. I took him back to ‘B’ for a follow-up checkup, and ‘B’ simply sent him home with another buprenorphine, and cerenia injection. Gus had not eaten for more than 36hrs at this point, but ‘B’ did not have any concerns. We trusted ‘B’ and did not still try to force-feed Gus all day. Gus did lick about 0.5oz of wet food from my fingers, but that was it all Wed the 27th. Gus remained very weak and laid on his side with eyes open for most part all day/night again. Worried that he had eaten so very little in almost 50hours, I took him to ‘B’ again on Thu 28th morning. Dr. ‘B’ still did not say anything about force-feeding him, did not bother to do any follow-up blood work on Gus, and sent us home again with another higher dose buprenorphine injection, claiming it’d help him sleep. He also gave us a buprenorphine syringe to give to Gus after 12 hours. Gus condition did not improve much all day. We got him to lick more food off our fingers, but still not much – maybe another 4 oz or so all day. Gus kept drinking lots of water throughout the day. I gave buprenorphine syringe to Gus around midnight, and it seemed that oral dose helped him a bit, and he did sleep that night. Gus seemed just a little better on Friday morning. I decided to force-feed him with a syringe, and he did not seem to mind too much. He was walking around a little, and went to lay by our another cat (a 14yrs old tabby), and got a tongue-bath from her as well. We started feeling better that he was recovering a bit, and that his weakness/no-appetite was probably just surgery after-effects. But that evening Gus had a urinary incontinence episode on the bed. We consulted with. Dr. B that evening, but Dr. B ignored the urinary incontinence episode. He focused on the fact that the biopsy report had indicated strong possibility of spreading Carcinoma in Gus’ intestines. Dr. B said that he had already consulted with his oncologist vet friend, and recommended starting chemo, Carboplatin infusion directly into Gus’ abdomen, starting Monday. I said yes – again without forcing Dr. B to give me pros/cons of the treatment, or asking to consult with the oncologist ourselves for any alternate options. (Mistake# 4!). Dr. B also suggested to start Gus on ¼ of ‘Mirtazapine’ tablet to help with his appetite next morning. So, on Sat morning, I force-fed about 2.5oz of Hill’s prescription diet A/D food to Gus, and mixed 1/4th Mirtazapine tablet in that food. A few minutes after eating, Gus started having some light tremors in his body, and his head was shaking visibly. In panic, I had the after-hours/weekend service page Dr. B. Dr. B called me back an hour later, and suggested to wait-and-watch, unless the tremors got worse. At this point Dr. B wasn’t still too concerned about our observations that Gus’ weakness had increased, and he was visibly having hard time walking to the water and/or litter box to pee. Still no advice on checking Gus’ blood-work to make sure that the biopsy surgery hadn’t deteriorated his condition, and no concerns about our mention of Gus’ progressing weakness. The after-effects of Mirtazapine sub-sided after a couple of hours, but it still hadn’t helped Gus with the appetite. I continued to force-feed Gus on Sat/Sunday (about 4oz of a/d food each day). What I was unware of at that point was that we should have been feeding a lot more quantity of a/d food to Gus. The online published guidelines (I found later) are about 2000 calories a day for ~12 lb cat, which would have been almost two cans of a/d food every day. On Sunday, Gus’s weakness had worsened, but trusting Dr. B’s feedback so far, I, once again did not rush Gus to emergency clinic for a check-up (Big Mistake# 5!). On Monday, the 4th March morning, Gus had lost weight, muscle mass, and was wobbling in getting to the litter-box. I was very worried at this point, but was hoping that Dr. B would check on him before the chemo appointment that afternoon. I took Gus in around noon to Dr. B. I was informed by his staff that he was running behind due to some urgent calls that morning, and he might not have time for a consultation before the chemo procedure on Gus. Once again, trusting Dr. B judgement, I agreed to whatever Dr. B suggested, and they took Gus in. As I was worried about Gus not eating, and had just found out about esophagus feeding tube from online browsing, I asked Dr. B’s staff to ask Dr. B about possibility of feeding tube for Gus. Three hours later. Dr. B asked me to his consultation room, and said that the carboplatin chemo/fluid-drainage/feeding-tube was all done, and Gus was recovering from anesthesia. He then mentioned that the fluid-drainage indicated lot more blood in the fluid than a week before, and that Gus’ CBC blood-work (that was done by him during past three hours) indicated severe regenerative anemia, with Hemocrit being only about 11%. The CBC Idexx report indicated lots of new immature RBCs being generated, and strong possibility of Hemolytic anemia, possibly due to his intestinal carcinoma spreading all this while in last week. He said that at this point Gus needed immediate blood transfusion to get to the point where any other treatment could be undertaken. While Dr. B was discussing all of this, he was also wrapping a bandage around Gus’ neck, and then he taped the hanging feed-tube folded-upward on that bandage. I went out for a few minutes to call work for time-off, and inquire clinic ‘A’ about blood-transfusions (was quoted $3300 with no guarantee of Gus surviving the transfusion process). I made up my mind to take the chance anyway, and went back in. At this point Gus had started vocalizing and becoming agitated, trying to jump off the kennel. His jaws were chattering and he was exhibiting chocking like symptoms. Dr. B was just standing there discussing how it might be too late for blood-transfusion, ignoring Gus’ loud vocalizing. In panic, I asked Dr. B technician if anything could be done to alleviate Gus choking condition, and he finally put an oxygen mask to Gus’ mouth, which seemed to calm him a bit. But his body was still convulsing. Dr. B started to check on his pulse, and said that his pulse was sinking. I told him that Gus seemed okay before the neck bandage was put on, and asked him to loosen it, He did that, but it didn’t help Gus. In my panicked state, I forgot to ask Dr. B to also loosen the feeding-tube that was taped upward tightly to that bandage… To this time, I have a lingering feeling that the feeding-tube’s getting taped up was what was Choking Gus, because my later browsing the Internet indicated that the death due to not enough red blood-cells carrying oxygen (hypoxia) is supposed to be relatively painless – like fading away in sleep!! I’d never know for sure! Seeing how Gus’ body was convulsing on the table, his hind legs frantically kicking, I desperately wanted to ease it, and asked Dr. B (who was just standing by, not suggesting anything – I guess, vets, having seen many deaths, get hardened enough to not be bothered by vocalizing/pain/suffering in pets on death-bed) about if we could give him any anesthesia. Dr. B then shaved Gus’s neck and gave him euthanasia injection, all this while Gus’s body suffering, fighting, struggling! I watched him pass way over next minute – that seemed like an eternity to my in-shock mind! I had never wanted Gus’s last time to be so full of suffering – When there was time for Gus to go, I wanted the vet to come to our home for euthanasia, and I had hoped, based on Dr. B’s feedback the last week after biopsy, that we should have at least two weeks, and more likely two months with Gus, after chemo treatment started. I was so in denial about Gus’s condition all last week – and seems like that every decision I took was the wrong one for Gus. Should have listened to the vet at ‘A’ and started Gus on steroids, rather than accepting Dr. B’s recommendation of biopsy surgery, that Gus never recovered from. I still don’t understand how Dr. B could have gone ahead with Chemo/fluid-drainage that fateful Monday morning, when he say how weak/fragile condition Gus was in. Why didn’t he wait for the CBC results before putting Gus under anaesthesia for chemo? Was it purely for the thousands of dollars that those procedures generated that day, or was it because he was rushed that morning, or maybe he truly believed it to be the best course of treatment at that point. I’d never know – I should give benefit of doubt to Dr. B. After all, me being responsible for Gus, I am the one who should have been more through about evaluating pros/cons of invasive procedures on Gus’ quality of life. I should have gotten a second opinion before agreeing to biopsy. I should have rushed Gus to emergency clinic after noticing his weakening condition last weekend. If I had done that, possibly the blood-transfusion would have saved him for now. In the end, it was the sequence of my decisions that not only ended up shortening remaining time Gus had, but also made it a horrific painful last moments for that little magnificent friend.

Sorry about the lengthy paragraphs. I sincerely hope that no one out there has to go through something like this – and that this would help someone in evaluating the invasive options more thoroughly.

I have 3(12 days old) foster kittens because Mom was in an industrial accident and these 3 survive. My white kitten about 3 days ago develop a fluid fill abdomen. He has no fever, very active,great appetite.Vet did an FNA and no fluid came out. He seems to be growing. He so little that it's hard to do any other testing. We are at a loss. I have had kittens with both wet and dry FIP and this guy seems different. Heart and lungs seems fine upon examination all clear. At a loss.

Hi all. So my 7 month kitten started getting a big belly, I assumed he was just gaining weight as he ate a lot. About a month later he started getting less active and always moped around. He was always so playful so I knew something wasn’t right. I thought he was depressed because he didn’t show any signs of being sick. Took him to the vets few days ago and they said he had ascites and drained the fluids from his stomach and took a blood test for coronvirus which came back negative. Vet gave us some medicine for 3 days and asked to come back within 3 days to retake the coronvirus and thankfully came back negative again but still had so fluids that the drained out again. Now the vet hasn’t given me any answers to what is causing this but doing some research I came across the fip virus which made me so heartbroken but the symptoms does not match what my kitten is going through however the doctor still ruled it out. Can anyone tell me what could be cause this fluids? His active, eating and drinking very well. Thanks all

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 ...

We have a 10 week old kitten with fluid build up in her abdomen. We had it drained but it looks like it might be swelling again. What should I do to help her? Does she have a chance to survive this?

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.

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?

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.

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 was diagnosed with hepatic encephalopathy as a kitten. She has been on lactulose,amoxicillin and for the last year flagyl. She is now in liver failure and has ascites. She is still eating and seems energetic etc. I'm just worried about the pressure from the ascites on her lungs. Can she take a diuretic to help her? My vet is out due to an injury

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.