Cats fat belly

[suesuesphynxmom]

Hi all . Im a newbie here today.
And ive joined this forum because I hope someone can - well put my mind at rest and maybe stop me from thinking all kinds of things.
I dont want to go on all long winded from the start but anyway I took my 10 year old boy to vets today as he had been snuffly sneezy ( sneezing once bit of blood) and thats not my concern anyway. Ive had cats before who have been like this- presume upper respitorary.
What worried me is she did temp check and he obvs didnt like it and growled ( well i would too ). Then she pressed his abdomen and he growled again. She said his belly was firm/hard. Telling me all kinds of things that its not normal for cats belly to be firm.
So ive googled it all and yes cats belly shouldnt be firm under the pouch bit but other googling says sphynx can have pot bellies.
Funny hes 10 year old and ive never noticed if his belly had always been hard or not .
Ive got 2 sphynx and one is right saggy but my one im talking about isnt.
He doesnt growl when I press it.
Does anyone think he just was grumpy at vets?
Does alsi anyone think a youngish vet doesnt fully understand hairless cat breed are different?
Ive come home googling all sorts thinking the worst.
Thank you for reading
Sue

 

[Yoda mom]

@suesuesphynxmom , welcoming you and your babies to the family. love to see pics/names. all paws are family. do you have pics of his belly? did they suggest an xray? we are here for you. I know it is easy to go down the google rabbit hole. hugs n head smooches. following closely for updates

 

[suesuesphynxmom]

View attachment 118153View attachment 118153

 

[suesuesphynxmom]

Hi Yoda
I cant understand how to do things. Pics etc

 

[suesuesphynxmom]

I know I said I wasnt concerned about his sneezing blood etc but now I am.
Sorry jumping belly to sneezing etc but it wont clear up. He had had injection for uri first port of call i guess.
But it isnt working. He is eating etc but constant sleeping and it seems to calm down when hes sleeping.
But when awake its different. Congested wheezing sneezing fits.
I am dreading whats to come.
Because i know its usually not a good outcome when a vet visit cant solve straight away.
Sorry to be negative but I know its not going to be straight forward.
I just know.

 

[Yoda mom]

@suesuesphynxmom, hugs, sharing some antibiotics work better than others. my go to has been doxycycline you can ask your vet about. stay positive, we are here for you . hugs n head smooches,

also sharing a handy resizer photo link
Photo resizer link

 

[Yoda mom]

@Catzzzmeow , @kauna

 

[Catzzzmeow]

Did your vet perform a PCR test? They can swab the nose, eyes and mouth this can help identify the underlying respiratory issue.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[nudebea]

Hello and welcome. Although the internet is a great source of info it can also cause us to sometimes worry more when we read all the possibilities of symptoms. Have you any follow up visits arranged at the vets for further tests ?

 

[wundrlust]

Hi all . Im a newbie here today.
And ive joined this forum because I hope someone can - well put my mind at rest and maybe stop me from thinking all kinds of things.
I dont want to go on all long winded from the start but anyway I took my 10 year old boy to vets today as he had been snuffly sneezy ( sneezing once bit of blood) and thats not my concern anyway. Ive had cats before who have been like this- presume upper respitorary.
What worried me is she did temp check and he obvs didnt like it and growled ( well i would too ). Then she pressed his abdomen and he growled again. She said his belly was firm/hard. Telling me all kinds of things that its not normal for cats belly to be firm.
So ive googled it all and yes cats belly shouldnt be firm under the pouch bit but other googling says sphynx can have pot bellies.
Funny hes 10 year old and ive never noticed if his belly had always been hard or not .
Ive got 2 sphynx and one is right saggy but my one im talking about isnt.
He doesnt growl when I press it.
Does anyone think he just was grumpy at vets?
Does alsi anyone think a youngish vet doesnt fully understand hairless cat breed are different?
Ive come home googling all sorts thinking the worst.
Thank you for reading
Sue

I just took my 18 year old to the internist the other week. Local vets are limited. You need to take your baby to a specialist. Don't "guess" or rely on other's opinions. Take him to a specialist.

 

[Yoda mom]

@wundrlust , great advice. hugs n positive vibe head smooches to sweet Mooshie. Hope you can share a thread so we can follow along with you and Mooshie, here for you.. love our seniors.

 

[Yoda mom]

@suesuesphynxmom , checking in for updates, hugs n positive vibes.

 

[suesuesphynxmom]

 

[suesuesphynxmom]

Hi all
Well ive managed to send a pic ( I think ).
Kairo hasnt been back for a follow up yet as they said to wait 7-10 days to see if his stuffiness clears up.
Thing is im a natural born worrier when it comes to my cats.
Because of losing them in the past I guess I just cant help thinking the worst.
Two weeks prior he had been to the vet as he had scratched himself so bad drawing blood and really digging his skin off.
Vet said allergy and gave him a steroid. It didnt work until 3 days in until he stopped scratching.
My friend suggested could this sneezing be a new allergy symptom.
Im honestly not trying to diagnose him its just that my practise is owned by a husband/wife who are great vets but sometimes I cant always get to see them.
At one stage there seemed to be a high turnover of different vets there.
One actually one time suggested flea treatment!!
Then on another visit to check a lumpy paw pad he told me he needs to have a biopsy ( costing 900 pounds).
Before that could be arranged I saw the owner for his booster and she said he doesnt need a biopsy or anything yet.
Well that was two years ago and hes still got a lumpy paw pad that isnt causing him any problems.
Probably born with it and I never noticed.
Im not begrudging the money in the least but Im just a bit reluctant to jump straight in and have all kinds of tests which may not be needed.
Ill make sure I see one of the owners first because I trust and value their opinions more because Ive known them obviously longer than any other vet at the practise.

 

[kauna]

so sorry you and your little one are going through all this.

sneezing and scratching could be allergy related. The steroid should have made a bit of headway with these symptoms. The bumpy paw pad doesn't sound normal or too serious at the moment. My main concern is the hard belly. I agree with above a specialist should take a look at it via Ultrasound. Did they recommend xrays or anything? Bloodwork? Usually, the first recommendations are labs and films for anything like this, I am not trying to scare you just being real. I would seek a second opinion if you are not comfortable with the answers you are given at this vet. It sounds like you have been given the run around.

Please keep us updated

 

[suesuesphynxmom]

so sorry you and your little one are going through all this.

sneezing and scratching could be allergy related. The steroid should have made a bit of headway with these symptoms. The bumpy paw pad doesn't sound normal or too serious at the moment. My main concern is the hard belly. I agree with above a specialist should take a look at it via Ultrasound. Did they recommend xrays or anything? Bloodwork? Usually, the first recommendations are labs and films for anything like this, I am not trying to scare you just being real. I would seek a second opinion if you are not comfortable with the answers you are given at this vet. It sounds like you have been given the run around.

Please keep us updated

Hi there
I called the vets today and made app to see Tom one of the owners.
Then ill go with whatever he suggests.
Yes the other vet said x rays scan bloods etc.
As for his sneezing theres a drastic improvement today.
Hes actually got up and sat at the window today as apart from food/loo hes slept constantly.
Saw some blood spats this morning but apart from that hes only sneezed once. Can hear him breathing still but not noisy or grunting or anything.
Im so hoping now that its nothing to worry about. I use the most dustiest cat litter ever and Ive only realised how bad it actually is because ive moved the tray to another room with black furniture in. So ive bought some posh virtually dust free litter, changed my wash powder and go from there regarding allergy.
Ill keep you updated about him and thank you all for caring and for your advice.

 

[Yoda mom]

@suesuesphynxmom , thank you for keeping us updated on sweet Kairo! yes the photo did come thru!
I saw you mention the paw pad. sharing, my boy had a swollen paw pad... called "pillow foot" ... no biopsy done. got a round of doxycycline antibiotic and foot soaks. and cleared up, never an issue again. You can ask your vet to rule out pillow foot. can you share a pic of his paw pad?

from my previous reply on a post :

"when Batman had pillow foot , he got doxycycline and vet told me to soak his foot. I put a few teenie drops of povidone mixed in a mug of water till very very light tea colored, and soaked his foot a few times a day and patted dry. it did not stain his skin because it was diluted with water and just a drop or two of povidone in the water. you can ask your vet if the foot soaks would be beneficial. always check with your vet

(the povidone is like the red staining betadine they use in hospitals. I use caution when handling as to not drip on counters,hands etc when I put a few drops mixed diluted in water)

it cleared up and never an issue again. has been over a decade.
)keep us updated often. hugs n head smooches.I am not a vet, but wanted to share to ask vet to rule out "pillow foot",
pododermatitis (PCP)

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hope the changes of litter and wash powder help.

do you use any plug in air fresheners? use salt lamps? essential oils? some can be toxic to cats.

hugs n positive vibe head smooches.

 

[suesuesphynxmom]

Yes im afraid im obsessed with smells candles diffusers wax melts everything that smells nice. But ive done it for years. I guess an allergy is going to be difficult to pin point. One vet told me her cat has an allergy and they just cannot discover the cause so she has a monthly steroid.
The paw pad is my other cats problem. Ill try and send a pic now.

 

[suesuesphynxmom]

Just tried erm a bit impossible lol. Ill get one though when hes laid down and chilling legs out stretched. Its just the big one on one foot. Its enlarged and spongey and sometimes does get a little bit cracked. I put him sudacrem on it or vaseline

 

[Yoda mom]

@suesuesphynxmom , I Love candles... But only use those without essential oils. too many essential oils toxic to pets and the plug ins too often have essential oils. I eliminated all types with essential oils .

the foot sounds just like my Batmans paw pad. I know how hard it is to get a photo lol. I would definitely ask your vet to rule out pododermatitis "pillow foot". My Batmans paw pad, only one , was puffy , and crack looking

 

[suesuesphynxmom]

@suesuesphynxmom , I Love candles... But only use those without essential oils. too many essential oils toxic to pets and the plug ins too often have essential oils. I eliminated all types with essential oils .

the foot sounds just like my Batmans paw pad. I know how hard it is to get a photo lol. I would definitely ask your vet to rule out pododermatitis "pillow foot". My Batmans paw pad, only one , was puffy , and crack looking

@suesuesphynxmom , I Love candles... But only use those without essential oils. too many essential oils toxic to pets and the plug ins too often have essential oils. I eliminated all types with essential oils .

the foot sounds just like my Batmans paw pad. I know how hard it is to get a photo lol. I would definitely ask your vet to rule out pododermatitis "pillow foot". My Batmans paw pad, only one , was puffy , and crack looking

Ive got a pic but always saying its too big.
Im guessing it is the same thing. I wonder why my vet never prescribed anything at the time. Just suggested vaseline. It doesnt seem to bother him but I do wonder if it does get sore sometimes.
Im going to show him the photo on Thursday.
My candle obsession by the way is bath and body works .

 

[suesuesphynxmom]

Ive got a pic but always saying its too big.
Im guessing it is the same thing. I wonder why my vet never prescribed anything at the time. Just suggested vaseline. It doesnt seem to bother him but I do wonder if it does get sore sometimes.
Im going to show him the photo on Thursday.
My candle obsession by the way is bath and body works .

O your Batmans similar colour to Kairo.
My Leo is all grey.

 

[nudebea]

On the subject of pillow/ foot/ pillow paw,, My boy Wilson has the condition when he was around 18 month old, developed out of the blue. His pads were very pink swollen and obviously painful., he became reluctant to jump down too the floor and often shook his paws . The vet prescribed him a short course of steroids which acted quickly and cleared it up , fortunately it never returned. I do hope you can get answers and treatment if necessary for Kairos bloated tummy

 

[suesuesphynxmom]

On the subject of pillow/ foot/ pillow paw,, My boy Wilson has the condition when he was around 18 month old, developed out of the blue. His pads were very pink swollen and obviously painful., he became reluctant to jump down too the floor and often shook his paws . The vet prescribed him a short course of steroids which acted quickly and cleared it up , fortunately it never returned. I do hope you can get answers and treatment if necessary for Kairos bloated tummy

Hi nudebea
I wish i could send a video ive got clearly showing it.
Its just the big pad on one foot. I looked thro all old pics/vids when i first noticed it and wasnt any at all showing clearly his pads.
He does shake his leg/ lick paws etc but guess its all 4 of them anyway.
He cant jump anyway very high and never has but I think he had a little accident as a kitten- i came home and he had a bit of a limp one day. So I think its a lack of confidence. He wont even jump from floor to kitchen worktop - never has. Its high for him.
But I know he can do it as jumped straight up garden fence more than once when he spotted another cat.
Im going to show the vet tomorrow anyway his paw on the video and take him in to be looked at again.
As for Kairos belly Im obviously hoping its nothing serious and Im still wondering in my head that its always been like that.
Its not rock hard- just firmish but still squishy if that makes sense.
His pouch under is still soft but hes always had a kind of streamlined one anyway- like not low hanging when hes stood up.

 

[suesuesphynxmom]

Hi nudebea
I wish i could send a video ive got clearly showing it.
Its just the big pad on one foot. I looked thro all old pics/vids when i first noticed it and wasnt any at all showing clearly his pads.
He does shake his leg/ lick paws etc but guess its all 4 of them anyway.
He cant jump anyway very high and never has but I think he had a little accident as a kitten- i came home and he had a bit of a limp one day. So I think its a lack of confidence. He wont even jump from floor to kitchen worktop - never has. Its high for him.
But I know he can do it as jumped straight up garden fence more than once when he spotted another cat.
Im going to show the vet tomorrow anyway his paw on the video and take him in to be looked at again.
As for Kairos belly Im obviously hoping its nothing serious and Im still wondering in my head that its always been like that.
Its not rock hard- just firmish but still squishy if that makes sense.
His pouch under is still soft but hes always had a kind of streamlined one anyway- like not low hanging when hes stood up.