Pot bellied cat

[johnnyb47]

Hi
I'm starting to get a little concerned about my cat.
Over the last few weeks he's developed a somewhat pot belly shortly after I discovered a half eaten pigeon by my back door.
I initially thought he'd got worms to which I've treated with some tablets from the pet shop but unfortunately they've made no difference.
His appearance looks very odd indeed in that he's got a round bloated belly ,but at the same time he seems to of lost weight.He feels more boney along his back and his fur looks quite dull.
He eating and drinking well and doesn't seem to be in any pain but he's definitely more lethargic.
Today I thought enoughs enough and I've got him booked into the vets on Thursday.
He was originally the neighbours cat but they never really bothered with him and he spent most of his time with me, and when they moved on they conveniently left him behind leaving me to look after him.
Over the years I've grown quite fond of him as he's been good company as I live by myself.
I'm just hoping he still has worms in which they can treat, but as always money is tight and if they think he's got a tumor I'm not going to go down the road of spending a small fortune on operations and after treatment.
I know it's a nearly trivial thing to post but when you're by yourself and have no one around to talk to,it's sometimes good to just post your thoughts and concerns on a friendly site like cycle chat
All the very best,
Johnny

 

[DRM]

good luck at the vets, hopefully Mr Tom Cat is OK, and can be sorted out by the vet,

 

[Reynard]

Good luck at the vets.

 

[fossyant]

Good luck. Is it a rounded pot belly or just underneath. Older cats do get saggy bellies but they are 'empty' to the feel.

 

[johnnyb47]

Hi again,
Well it's not good news I'm afraid.
His pot belly is due to trapped fluid unfortunately.The vet thinks it's either caused from failing kidneys or a tumour buried somewhere deep in his belly.
They offered to do a scan but said it would only confirm what they think.
I don't want to go down the road of putting him through scans/tests and operations at his age and with no guarantees at the end.
In him self, he's not in any pain, he's eating well and still chasing the birds in the garden, so I've decided to leave him be and just keep a close eye on him until the time comes.
The vet did give a course of water tablets to give him to try and reduce the fluid retention though.
Its in liquid form and I'm giving 2ml a day orally through a shringe
All the Best,
Johny

 

[johnnyb47]

Hi,
Sad news today.
My best friend who has been my companion for many years has sadly passed away.
I got home from work today and he was no where to be seen.
After looking around the area I found him a couple of doors up ,underneath there gazebo.
I'm feeling really cut up and wished I could of done more in making his last moments in time more comfortable, but he was essentially an out door cat and would never settle for long periods in the house..
I'm sitting outside in a beer garden whilst in typing this out feeling somewhat sad.
I've buried him in the garden this evening and when I get head together I will plant some flowers to mark the his resting place.
You know I'm a late 50s bloke who's probably perceived as a rough diamond but I'm typing this with a tear in my eye..
Anyway thought I would give you the sad update to my best friend
Johnny

 

[fossyant]

So sorry,

Cat dad to four !

 

[Pat "5mph"]

I lost my wee Rosie the cat 6 weeks ago.
Her ashes are still in the cat tree, where she slept for years.
I cried for ages, she was a lockdown adoption, her owner had passed.
Yes, they are our friends, we love them and we grieve for them when they go over the rainbow bridge, we grieve for many years after, we never forget them.
Hugs to you.

 

[Reynard]

Hi,
Sad news today.
My best friend who has been my companion for many years has sadly passed away.
I got home from work today and he was no where to be seen.
After looking around the area I found him a couple of doors up ,underneath there gazebo.
I'm feeling really cut up and wished I could of done more in making his last moments in time more comfortable, but he was essentially an out door cat and would never settle for long periods in the house..
I'm sitting outside in a beer garden whilst in typing this out feeling somewhat sad.
I've buried him in the garden this evening and when I get head together I will plant some flowers to mark the his resting place.
You know I'm a late 50s bloke who's probably perceived as a rough diamond but I'm typing this with a tear in my eye..
Anyway thought I would give you the sad update to my best friend
Johnny

*HUGS*

Cat mum to one tortie here. My first cat was similar to your fella - came via the Cat Distribution System. I could never handle him, but he was happy enough living in my garage with all the mod cons.

 

[Reynard]

I lost my wee Rosie the cat 6 weeks ago.
Her ashes are still in the cat tree, where she slept for years.
I cried for ages, she was a lockdown adoption, her owner had passed.
Yes, they are our friends, we love them and we grieve for them when they go over the rainbow bridge, we grieve for many years after, we never forget them.
Hugs to you.

Ah, so sorry to see this, Pat xxx *HUGS*

They're just such wonderful companions, aren't they? I often think of the cats that have shared my life over the years.

 

[Webbo2]

We had Fred and Alice for about twenty years and after that we said no more as it was too distressing. Then we cracked as a house with out a cat is not a home 🤢. So we got 3 rescue cats Smarty, Poppy and Daisy and they were wild. Daisy got hit by a car after a few months but Poppy and Smarty got well in to their teens. Along the way we got Kitty who arrived via a neighbours car engine. Sadly they have all gone now and now we live near a busy road so no cats.
However we now have this monster.

 

[Mrs M]

Hi,
Sad news today.
My best friend who has been my companion for many years has sadly passed away.
I got home from work today and he was no where to be seen.
After looking around the area I found him a couple of doors up ,underneath there gazebo.
I'm feeling really cut up and wished I could of done more in making his last moments in time more comfortable, but he was essentially an out door cat and would never settle for long periods in the house..
I'm sitting outside in a beer garden whilst in typing this out feeling somewhat sad.
I've buried him in the garden this evening and when I get head together I will plant some flowers to mark the his resting place.
You know I'm a late 50s bloke who's probably perceived as a rough diamond but I'm typing this with a tear in my eye..
Anyway thought I would give you the sad update to my best friend
Johnny

So sorry for the loss of you handsome wee boy.
Big hugs to you from us all xx

 

[Reynard]

Can always have an indoor cat @Webbo2, or have a catio for outdoor access. There's always a way to have a cat in one's life

When I was a PhD student in London, my then cat was indoor only as where I lived backed out onto a busy road. But every day, I would take him on a lead and harness for a daily constitutional to the nearby park. He would walk on the lead like a dog, and learned to sit at the kerb while we waited to cross the road.

 

[Webbo2]

Can always have an indoor cat @Webbo2, or have a catio for outdoor access. There's always a way to have a cat in one's life

When I was a PhD student in London, my then cat was indoor only as where I lived backed out onto a busy road. But every day, I would take him on a lead and harness for a daily constitutional to the nearby park. He would walk on the lead like a dog, and learned to sit at the kerb while we waited to cross the road.

All our cats have been outdoor cats and we would be uncomfortable with them being restricted.
Poppy used to roam for miles, we would be at neighbours at the other end of the village and he would be walking down their fence.
Once we were in friends house having a drink and Fred our cat walked in through their cat flap. I don’t know who was more shocked🤣🤣

 

[Reynard]

All our cats have been outdoor cats and we would be uncomfortable with them being restricted.
Poppy used to roam for miles, we would be at neighbours at the other end of the village and he would be walking down their fence.
Once we were in friends house having a drink and Fred our cat walked in through their cat flap. I don’t know who was more shocked🤣🤣

My current girl is indoors only, but I've had cats with outdoor access as well. It just depends on the cat and on the situation.

One of my previous kitizens used to go to the neighbours, wake them up at 6am, eat their cat's food, play with his toys, poop in his tray and then come back home.