THIS POST IS NOT TO ASK FOR FINANCIAL HELP.
I wrote a long post, but it got moved to sos forum.
This is strictly updates on Pitter.
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Pitter was doing really good until about the end of July, when his tummy started acting up. Just once in a while and not as bad as before, but started watching him very closely.
Whatever's going on, it's not his actual stomach.
Abdominal area? YES.
He started isolating. very rarely came out of the bedroom, except to eat.
Totally stopped getting on the cat tree any more. That's been where he takes his afternoon naps. He's been sleeping up there every nite for months and months. Not any more. He started sleeping in bed with Patter and me, which he hasn't done for ages. Even more unusual, he's sleeping tight up next to me. All nite. I love snuggling with him, but I know it's cuz he's sick and sad.
When he jumps down from things – couch, dresser, etc - he slowly slides his front paws down as far as he can before he jumps. Like he's trying to land as gently as possible. He makes an “oomph” sound when he lands.
He doesn't "slink" when he walks like he always has. He's walking very stiff legged.
Every once in a while, he comes and plops on my lap for a bit. But he also makes it clear that I am NOT to touch him. At all. Tho one night he actually fell asleep on me for almost 20 minutes. Of course, when he woke up, he denied that he'd been sleeping. He hasn't done that since he was a baby.
He spends most of the time sitting/sleeping next to me on the couch. When I get up to do things, he immediately heads for his carrier. It lives in the living room cuz he likes to nap in it. So it's like he's isolating, but right where he can make sure I'm still here.
For a couple of days, he looked like he swallowed a small watermelon … ?! but not any more.
Input/Output are good.
Saw the vet on Aug. 23. He did the most thorough physical exam Pitter's ever had - but didn't find anything.
I said “No, something is not right.” Re-did urine tests. The "same day" {what's that one called?!} We waited the 20 minutes for the results, which came back fine. Of course.
{Also did a urine culture. Got results 3 days later and they're clear.}
Vet was still thinking a possible sub-clinical urinary tract infection – possibly a respiratory infection. Put Pitter on antibiotics {Zeniquin} for 8 days – basically as a test to rule out any infection. Pitter's mood perked up a tiny bit, but nothing else changed. If anything, he's getting slower and slower.
Vet and I discussed doing more tests and more thorough tests, which i agree with, but have to wait til i get paid {this upcoming week.}
I really want to do x-rays before more blood-work. This has been going on for 5 - 6 months and since his symptoms are getting weird, I wanna see what's inside of him. DOes that make sense?
I'm going to call Tuesday morning and see if we can get in this week yet. But this is a short week cuz of Labor Day, and Wednesdays are the clinic's short day . . .
I'm trying to stay positive, but not knowing anything is making it very hard.
Trying not to think about "What if . . . ?
The clinic gives cats a little toy when they're done with their appointment.
Pitter really likes the one I picked for him this time! He only played a minute or so, but it was pretty awesome to see him so happy!
I wrote a long post, but it got moved to sos forum.
This is strictly updates on Pitter.
==================
Pitter was doing really good until about the end of July, when his tummy started acting up. Just once in a while and not as bad as before, but started watching him very closely.
Whatever's going on, it's not his actual stomach.
Abdominal area? YES.
He started isolating. very rarely came out of the bedroom, except to eat.
Totally stopped getting on the cat tree any more. That's been where he takes his afternoon naps. He's been sleeping up there every nite for months and months. Not any more. He started sleeping in bed with Patter and me, which he hasn't done for ages. Even more unusual, he's sleeping tight up next to me. All nite. I love snuggling with him, but I know it's cuz he's sick and sad.
When he jumps down from things – couch, dresser, etc - he slowly slides his front paws down as far as he can before he jumps. Like he's trying to land as gently as possible. He makes an “oomph” sound when he lands.
He doesn't "slink" when he walks like he always has. He's walking very stiff legged.
Every once in a while, he comes and plops on my lap for a bit. But he also makes it clear that I am NOT to touch him. At all. Tho one night he actually fell asleep on me for almost 20 minutes. Of course, when he woke up, he denied that he'd been sleeping. He hasn't done that since he was a baby.
He spends most of the time sitting/sleeping next to me on the couch. When I get up to do things, he immediately heads for his carrier. It lives in the living room cuz he likes to nap in it. So it's like he's isolating, but right where he can make sure I'm still here.
For a couple of days, he looked like he swallowed a small watermelon … ?! but not any more.
Input/Output are good.
Saw the vet on Aug. 23. He did the most thorough physical exam Pitter's ever had - but didn't find anything.
I said “No, something is not right.” Re-did urine tests. The "same day" {what's that one called?!} We waited the 20 minutes for the results, which came back fine. Of course.
{Also did a urine culture. Got results 3 days later and they're clear.}
Vet was still thinking a possible sub-clinical urinary tract infection – possibly a respiratory infection. Put Pitter on antibiotics {Zeniquin} for 8 days – basically as a test to rule out any infection. Pitter's mood perked up a tiny bit, but nothing else changed. If anything, he's getting slower and slower.
Vet and I discussed doing more tests and more thorough tests, which i agree with, but have to wait til i get paid {this upcoming week.}
I really want to do x-rays before more blood-work. This has been going on for 5 - 6 months and since his symptoms are getting weird, I wanna see what's inside of him. DOes that make sense?
I'm going to call Tuesday morning and see if we can get in this week yet. But this is a short week cuz of Labor Day, and Wednesdays are the clinic's short day . . .
I'm trying to stay positive, but not knowing anything is making it very hard.
Trying not to think about "What if . . . ?
The clinic gives cats a little toy when they're done with their appointment.
Pitter really likes the one I picked for him this time! He only played a minute or so, but it was pretty awesome to see him so happy!
We are all rooting for you 
I am not a vet . If this bloating issue is going on for a while there has to be something going on internally with his belly, did your vet rule out constipation or some blockage? What does pitters poo look like, are they narrow and soft, like hard pebbles, or normal single stool peice not hard and not soft and picks up easily. Also when pitters belly is swollen is it hard or is it soft to the touch. I hope that it is something simple as a possibiity of an alergic reaction to his food. Have you tried giving pitter wet foods . If it is wet food you are feeding him, what is in the cat food ingredients, something could be making him react funny. Sometimes they can build up an allergic reaction to a food and the belly gets inflamed causing bowel issues and intestinal issues. 
MissClouseau, catsknowme and Leomc123
Thank you for the compliments! I'll pass them on to Pitter. But ya know, both he and I already know how cute and adorable he is! 
Patter's been an awesome little sister and has been very supportive of Pitter when he's feeling rotten. But, she is also getting sick and tired of Pitter being the damn center of attention off the time lately! So I'm trying extra hard to make sure there's "Patter Time" every day. And of course, I never get stressed! 
So glad that you got good answers!! Now the treatment plan can get drawn up and action taken! Poor Pitter - cats tend to not like being "altered level of consciouness" - I am that way myself 
