Swollen kitten belly

Kittymama2

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Hi All,
I just adopted two 5 month old kittens and one has a very bloated belly. I was told she tested positive for roundworm and has been given drontol several times but it isn't any better, possibly worse? Her hunger is insatiable so I think she may still have worms. I wondered about possible malabsorption or ascites...? I'm taking her to the vet next week but wondered if anyone can offer insights? She's on Fortiflora probiotic but it doesn't seem to be too helpful. She's also wheezing on the in-breath. Thx for any help!!
 

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Hi
That wheezing is concerning. Is there any way you can have her seen by a vet sooner?
 
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Kittymama2

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Hi
That wheezing is concerning. Is there any way you can have her seen by a vet sooner?
Thanks for your reply. She was wheezing way before I adopted her. She was thoroughly checked out and had a full catogram and nothing showed up. So they told me that she might have a polyp or some problem with her adenoids that she might grow out of but weren't sure because they didn't want to do an invasive check up in her nose. They just told me to watch out for any worsening of the symptom. Of course when I adopted her I was not okay with this response to her symptoms so I'll be checking with my own vet now and see what she says. I'm taking both of the kittens on Monday morning. It's possible the wheezing is due to the bloated belly as well but I really have no idea and of course I'm concerned. I've only had them a couple of weeks and wanted them to adjust before taking them to the vet. She also sneezes quite frequently so I wonder if she's suffering with any allergies....
 

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Wheezing and sneezing might be due to a chronic rhinitis.
I have an outdoor cat in my yard who has this strange sound when she breathes, and she has always had it, since she first appeared. It doesn't bother her too much.

The bloated belly and hunger might be some parasite that the fecal test hasn't detected. Sometimes it takes more than one test to detect them all.
 

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5 month old kittens are eating machines so they're pretty much hungry all the time. It's ok to free feed them both dry and canned food, as much as they will eat. They need all the food for growth.

FortiFlora isn't a great probiotic to use. The bacteria count is too low to do much of anything. FortiFlora is really only good to get inappetant sick cats to eat because the taste is irresistable. Keep the FortiFlora on hand to use if needed in the future. For probiotic suggestions, see these:


Human probiotics can be used instead of pet specific ones.
 
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Kittymama2

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Wheezing and sneezing might be due to a chronic rhinitis.
I have an outdoor cat in my yard who has this strange sound when she breathes, and she has always had it, since she first appeared. It doesn't bother her too much.

The bloated belly and hunger might be some parasite that the fecal test hasn't detected. Sometimes it takes more than one test to detect them all.
Thanks so much. I'll ask the vet about more specific parasite testing.
 
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Kittymama2

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5 month old kittens are eating machines so they're pretty much hungry all the time. It's ok to free feed them both dry and canned food, as much as they will eat. They need all the food for growth.

FortiFlora isn't a great probiotic to use. The bacteria count is too low to do much of anything. FortiFlora is really only good to get inappetant sick cats to eat because the taste is irresistable. Keep the FortiFlora on hand to use if needed in the future. For probiotic suggestions, see these:

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Human probiotics can be used instead of pet specific ones.
Thank you! Since she has this bloated belly, I am concerned about her overeating... and she will. If I leave food out she will just keep eating. I only feed them wet food.

I appreciate your feedback on fortiflora and was interested in looking into other probiotics. I'll check out the thread on that. Raw would not be an option for kittens, IMO. But thanks!
 
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Kittymama2

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Not necessarily a more specific test, but more than one test.
Some fecal samples might simply not have the parasite in them.
I see! Makes sense. I'll try to collect a few before the test and ask about collecting different ones over the course of weeks as I know worms can be killed with the antibiotics but eggs may still be a problem... thx for the clarification.
 

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I see! Makes sense. I'll try to collect a few before the test and ask about collecting different ones over the course of weeks as I know worms can be killed with the antibiotics but eggs may still be a problem... thx for the clarification.
Actually, it would make more sense if one is able to take different samples, daily.
Storing the samples for a few days is not easy, they should be kept refrigerated, and I would advise against storing them in your fridge!!! 😲
I also know that taking a sample daily to the vet/lab might be not easy, depending on one's situation.

I'm telling you this from experience. My cat's poop tested positive to giardia at the third sample, three days in a row.
 

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Thank you! Since she has this bloated belly, I am concerned about her overeating... and she will. If I leave food out she will just keep eating. I only feed them wet food.

I appreciate your feedback on fortiflora and was interested in looking into other probiotics. I'll check out the thread on that. Raw would not be an option for kittens, IMO. But thanks!
I agree that Fortiflora isn't among the best probiotics out there.
I tried the human grade probiotics in the past, with little results too, but I had a much better outcome with the S. Boulardii. Both my cats had their belly fixed in a few days with that yeast. Both my cats had diarrhea as well, so your case could be different.
 

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I appreciate your feedback on fortiflora and was interested in looking into other probiotics. I'll check out the thread on that. Raw would not be an option for kittens, IMO. But thanks!
I know that web site is all about feeding raw but the probiotic info is really good and applies to all cats regardless of diet.

Raw and home cooked diets aren't for everyone. Kittens can be fed either type and have no issues nutrition-wise, assuming the diet is properly balanced. Commercial cat food is perfectly fine and works best for most people :agree:
 
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Hi all, so after a lot of tests, we haven't zeroed in on the main issue and I'm not sure where to go from here. My kitten has slightly high SDMA-kidney functioning test, slightly high phosphorous, crystals and protein in her urine and slight inflammation in her lungs. She was treated with clavamox to treat the inflammation and possible UTI, but actually had no UTI and lung inflammation is still showing up. Her sneezing remitted some. They say nothing else showed up on xray or ultrasound but she seems to have a lot of food sitting in her tummy. They're telling me ger coat is ok when it is so very clearly spiky. She also suffers from hyperesthesia from what I can tell- rippling down her back amd alarmed when pet there, excessive grooming and VERY sensitive to sudden noise. So these vets are offering zero guidance and one says she's underweight with a big belly (unsure cause so sent for the ultrasound with specialist) and the specialist says she's just "a big girl" which is ludicrous IMO, since her belly was severely distended at 2 months of age. They say her kidneys, bladder and abdomen look fine, adrenals seem a little small. So zero guidance on her big belly, kidney bloodwork, oily spiky coat or wheezing. No idea where to go from here...
 

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So, the ultrasound showed no blockage in the stomach or intestinal area? No fluid built up anywhere?

Does she have diarrhea? What does her stool look like?
 
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Kittymama2

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So, the ultrasound showed no blockage in the stomach or intestinal area? No fluid built up anywhere?

Does she have diarrhea? What does her stool look like?
So I was told, no. But I've asked for the images to be examined by another radiologist. Just "alot od ingesta". To me, she clearly has some fluid buildup or something stuck. Her stool is generally soft but formed, and it sticks to the fur on her behind. She definitely struggles while she's in the litter box but I'm not sure what that is about as she's very sensitive and it seems to be a bit obsessive as a result of her stress. Occasionally she has flatulence. She is certainly not having as many bowel movements as my other kitten.
 
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Kittymama2

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So I was told, no. But I've asked for the images to be examined by another radiologist. Just "alot od ingesta". To me, she clearly has some fluid buildup or something stuck. Her stool is generally soft but formed, and it sticks to the fur on her behind. She definitely struggles while she's in the litter box but I'm not sure what that is about as she's very sensitive and it seems to be a bit obsessive as a result of her stress. Occasionally she has flatulence. She is certainly not having as many bowel movements as my other kitten.
Perhaps a motility issue? I really need to work with a holistic vet or a vet who is open to looking at my cat and my reports as much as images. There clearly is something wrong and this is very distressing for me as a new kitten mom
 
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Kittymama2

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Just a follow-up I read the Imaging report from The Specialist who told me that nothing appears to be wrong with my kitten. It clearly states in the report that there is a lot of echogenic fluid in my cat's stomach and that her stomach is severely distended. I have no idea where to go from here. Her wheezing is terrible and she pants after she runs. I'm really not sure where to get help at this point
 

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Ok. It sounds like the fluid has built up enough to press on her lungs a bit. Try looking for a vet that has experience with these kinds of things as they may be able to drain the excess fluid to make her more comfy until the cause can be determined and treated. I know it can be rough to find a good vet. Google and emails may be helpful in that endeavor.
 
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Kittymama2

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Thank you for your reply. I've seen a vet at a membership only clinic that has amazing reviews, but theas well as a specialist at an animal hospital. I am not sure what to look for at this point.
 
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Kittymama2

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Sorry, that was supposed to say that I was then sent to a specialist who did absolutely nothing. When you look at this kitten there is clearly a serious issue and I'm just not sure who to turn to at this point.
 
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