Anybody own a FIV/FeLV+ cat?tummy bloated,has no prob when using potty.Dr said tumor and etc. never diagnosed?

Question

My cat has tested positive about a year ago, he has his good days and bad days,but recently hes been getting a bit bloated looking on the sides. I did take him to the vet, but it seems like whenever I take him to the vet now the only thing the doctor tells me is that everything is caused by the disease. Now I know its a serious disease and stuff,but what if he didn't have it but was still bloated? what do you think it could be? My cat is def a male cat, I even had him fixed, but he is rounded out like a pregnant female,tummy is firm and when I rub it, there are no signs of pain,and I don't think its weight gain because I can still feel the spine and hip bones when I pet him. I would hate to say the doctor is wrong because he is certified and knows what hes doing,but what I'm trying to say is basically,Just because the sky is gray it doesn't mean its gonna rain,it could still happen when the suns out. Has anybody ever had this happen to their cat(s)?Maybe its an infection?

Answer 1

We have had both 2 FeLV cats and a FIV cat. Speaking from that experience I would suggest you get a second opinion. Sometimes vets like people doctors do get stuck on one thing and think everything is related to that. My husband is diabetic and I would run out of fingers and toes trying to count the times he has been told something was related to or caused by diabetes that turned out not to be including a "diabetic skin condition" that turned out to be an allergic reaction and "neuralgia" that was a broken toe. Obvously the FIV/FeLV condition will be an underlying factor in determining treatment but that is absolutely no reason to fail to diagnose and treat other things or even symptoms of the underlying problem. I do not remember a distended abdomon as being a symptom any of the 3 had so my guess - and it is just a guess based on experience- is that it is not a common situation for cats with those illnesses. It is also my conviction that as our vet says the "parent" knows their animal better than anyone else and if they think something is wrong or needs checking it is.

We were told by one vet that in her experience FeLV cats who survive the innitial flare up or are diagnosed by blood test w/ no flare up have exactkly the same life expectancy as otehr cats if they get good care. I can't guarantee that obviously however our cats did live many yrs after diagnosis and someone we know had a FeLV cat who lived to 23. So definately don't just write this off and not seek anotehr opinion. One of our cats was treated with Interferon during her initial illness that led to the discovery that she was FeLV. She did wonderfully and was strong and happy and very actiove for many yrs. When you get the 2nd opinion you may want to ask about something like that for your cat if it has not been done.

If you are anywhere near a university with a vet school that would be a good place to get the 2nd opinion. You can also ask friends what the general attitude at their vet is. For example one vet we know of just recommends putting down any animal with serious conditions. 6 miles away is another vet who believes that every animal is worth "extreem measures" to save it's life if the owner wants. Some vets are also much more encouraging and supportatove towards owners while others regard animals as livestock sort of.

I hope it will turn out to be something easily treatable and that your kitty will be around to love you and be loved by you a lot longer.

Answer 2

Hmmmm.... I don't believe the pros outweigh the cons. If that were true, we'd be doing better, not getting progressively worse. Get rid of the tv and other things that take up all your time and attention. Don't buy processed foods. Only buy bio-degradable items. Remember there is a real world out there and visit it often. These are things we all have control of and can do something about. Medical research has saved lives... maybe that is true, but what many don't realize is how many lives it has taken as well. Mass distribution of food... is it really food and healthy for you? By the time you eat half that crap, you will need that wonderful medical research. Mass production cheapens a product. You have choices, what you do with them is your own choice. Change what you can. It all makes a difference. Global village... can we compare that to places like Yahoo? How about all the crap you see on the internet? I have never seen so much filth, hatred, prejudice, etc... as I have seen on the internet. I no longer use the internet nearly as much as I use to. We don't need to use most of the modern technology available... we CHOOSE to. It makes us lazier in many ways... physically and mentally... even emotionally. What people do... a lot can be undone, but too many like "convenience". Why plant a garden when the store has food? Why walk to the bank when you're computer will allow all transactions online? Why meet your real neighbors when the internet is full of people? Why eat healthy and cook nutritional meals when there are fast food joints on every block? Why should we exercise when there is a good movie on the tv or a game to be played? Why do anything we positively don't have to?

Answer 3

Do you deworm your cat? When was the last time you had it checked for worms? Sometimes worms can cause the bloated look too. I've seen many animals with bloated tummies and sometimes it's worms in the tummy. it you haven't got him dewormed or checked in a while you should have him get a Fecal Test. Oh yea another thing, I've seen many cats that also look like that when they have a type of bladder infection. Have you seen him pee? if he's still peeing normal maybe not, he can still pee but only drops it could still be a bladder infection, keep an eye on him when he uses the litterbox and see how much he lets out and look for any drops of blood. sometimes they can get crystals in their bladders (a type of bladder infection) which clogs up the passageway for urine. Then they swell up with urine, and blood because of the bladder expanding more than it can. You should have him looked at for that too, usually they can get a urine sample and determine that.

Answer 4

It's really hard for me to tell with out looking at the cat. As far as peritonitis, that is ruptured appendix. If your cat is in a lot of pain, it possibly could be true. I'm not saying that is the problem tho. I was thinking that the cat might be constipated. But, if he is going on a regular basis then that's not the problem. If you aren't satisfied with the veterinarian you currently have. Get a second opinion, it might be a good idea.

Answer 5

It sounds like feline infectious peritionitis. Cats get it as a secondary infection to the FIV.
This site says it's rare, but I have lost to two cats to it in thirty years:
http://www.dr-addie.com/
http://www.orionfoundation.com/petowners.htm

I hope that I'm wrong, since it is a terminal illness.

Answer 6

Your cat may be suffering from crystals in his urine which block the urinary tract if left untreated the cat will die,2 of my males have the same problem and my vet puts them to sleep and flushes the bladder to remove the crystals puts them on antibiotics for 10 days and they have to remain on a food specially for the urinary tract and they have been fine.A simple urine test will prove if they have crystals insist your vet does this and maybe you should find a new vet while you're at it.