Swelling in Cats

While reasons for swelling range drastically in severity, a veterinary assessment is the best route for determining if a problem is mild or serious. Cats who have immune system deficiencies are prone to more health problems that often create swelling within the body. Kittens are also more susceptible to swelling, however, this is mainly due to worm infestations. 

Swelling is not always visible. It can happen to vital organs such as the brain or lungs. Vital organ swelling is life-threatening and can be a veterinary emergency.

Swelling is an external sign of an internal problem. Often, an injury or condition will cause a fluid imbalance within the body's cells. This reaction is referred to as “edema” (swelling). Many issues that cause swelling are harmless to the cat, however, larger health problems may be found when swelling is present. Swelling can happen in any body part. To determine the cause of swelling, all other symptoms present in the cat must be recorded to help identify any underlying issues.

The main symptoms of swelling can be seen or felt externally. To determine the problem causing the swelling, all other symptoms must be taken into consideration. Signs of swelling include:

• General puffiness
• Lump or nodule presence
• Warm area on the body
• Visible wound
• Ulcerations
• Itchiness

Swelling can be caused by almost any ailment, including inflammation, injury or infection. As it is a natural response to any issue in the body, it can occur in any location, or as a general swelling of the entire body. Commonly seen causes of swelling include:

• Abscesses
• Allergic reaction
• Insect bites or stings
• Hematoma (ruptured blood vessels)
• Wound or trauma
• Pregnancy
• Vaccinations
• Cancer
• Tumors (benign or cancerous)
• Genetic predisposition
• Bacterial infection
• Fungal infection
• Viral infection
• Worms and other parasitic infections
• Intestinal blockages
• Pyometra (uterine infection)
• Ruptured bladder
• Constipation
• Obesity
• Malnutrition
• Heart failure
• Kidney/liver disease
• Medications
• Ascites (fluid build-up)
• Foreign body
• Paracetamol toxicity (Tylenol poisoning)

To help pinpoint the cause of swelling your cat, you will need to bring your cat’s full medical history to a veterinarian. The vet will perform a complete physical examination of the cat. During this examination, the vet will attempt to specify the side and location that swelling is more prominent on. If life-threatening issues or wounds are found, these will need to be addressed promptly. The veterinarian will ask about the cat’s appetite and if it has been itching itself more than usual. 

Many tests may need to be run to help identify the cause of swelling. Full blood work will be required, including a complete blood count and a biochemical profile. This can help create a picture of the cat’s overall health. Ultrasounds, X-rays, MRIs or CT scans can help to locate and assess certain internal problems that cause swelling. Urinalysis can show the presence of infection or kidney disease within the cat. All internal organs should be checked to assess their function. 

An echocardiogram can help identify heart problems. Fecal examination may be useful in instances of parasitic infection. The cat should be tested for common feline viruses including feline infectious peritonitis, feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia virus. A biopsy of swollen tissue can help reveal issues on a microscopic level.

Appropriate treatment will vary greatly depending on the type of issue that is found in the cat. Some swelling will reduce on its own, while other cases will require complicated procedures to fix fluid imbalances. Below are some frequently used treatments in incidents of swelling.

Antibiotics 

Prescriptions for antibiotics will be given if bacterial infection is found in the cat. Antibiotics help rid the cat’s body of harmful bacteria. Prescriptions last from one to four weeks on average.

Antifungal Medication If fungal infection is diagnosed, antifungal medication can reduce swelling by eliminating the fungal infection.

Cancer Treatments

If the cause of swelling is determined to be cancer, many treatment options are available. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are all useful in treating cancer in cats.

Diuretics 

A prescription for diuretics can help alleviate generalized swelling within a cat if caused by excesss fluid.

Specific Medication 

Many different underlying issues can be treated with various medication therapies (for example, heart disease will be treated with cardiac specific drugs). Length of treatment and side effects will vary depending on the medication prescribed.

Many types of swelling go away on their own (e.g. an insect sting), however, certain swelling can be due to severe underlying health conditions. If your cat is diagnosed with a viral infection, prognosis may be guarded. Painful abdominal swelling from feline infectious peritonitis generally indicates a very poor life expectancy. If cancer is the cause, it may be treatable or terminal depending on the location and progression. If wounds are present, general healing will cause swelling to dissipate.

It is best to keep your cat on a high-quality diet and promote adequate daily exercise through play. This can keep your cat in prime health and prevent certain health problems from occurring. They should be up to date with vaccines and parasite prevention. Keeping your cat indoors can reduce events of trauma, infection, or viruses from happening. 

Swelling could be symptomatic of a serious medical condition. To avoid high vet care expenses, secure pet health insurance today. The sooner you insure your pet, the more protection you’ll have from unexpected vet costs.