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My cat Marby

Sent to Cat Experts July 27 2006 at 7:10 PM
   

3 years ago I found a kitten in my backyard who was feral. I befriended the kitten who spent the first 8 months of his life outdoors. I would have brought him in sooner but it took a while for him to trust me. While outdoors he appeared healthy until one day the sides of his stomach just balooned out suddenly.   I thought he just ate a mouse or a bird and that was the reason why, but since then, his sides remained puffed out, and at times the sides of his stomach puffs out more and then decreases, but his sides never return to that of a slender cat. He walks around with his sides looking as if there is a grapefruit on both his right and left sides of his abdomen. I've taken him to his vet and to a specialist in Gastrointestinal disorders at 'The Animal Medical Center' in New York City. The specialist did a sonogram and a physcial examination showing nothing. He just said that my cat was fat. Another problem that was not addressed was the fact that my cat's stool is very, very foul smelling, every since I've known him. His sides looks like that of a very pregnant female cat. He has been dewormed by my regular vet and has been tested for feline aids/leukemia and his vaccinations are all up to date. I know that there must be something wrong with him because his sides remain swollen on a daily basis and his stool is extremely foul. Please let me know what you think his problem might be. Please note again that this happened overnight. One day he was slender, outdoors chasing squirrels up the tree and then my mother calls me to the backyard door to tell me that something is worng with the cat since his sides are all swollen out and the fact that his stool has such a very offensive odor must be a clue. I could appreciate any help concerning this situation, as it appears to be a mystery. I was wondering if another type of worm might be causing this problem. Everyone looks at roundworms and tapeworms, but he has been tested for these, and furthermore my cat has no fleas whatsoever. I own 6 cats and they are all indoors and not one of them has fleas. I change their litter box daily and sometimes twice a day because of this one cat because of the very offensive odor of his stool. I just want to Thank You in advance for your kind attention to this problem. Yours sincerely,   Leona (Cat's name is 'Marby')

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $30
Info Request
July 27 2006 at 7:21 PM (11 minutes and 7 seconds later)
         
REPLIED to Info RequestCheck Mark

Hi Leona,

This may seem like a silly question but has your boy been tested for FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis) and if so, what were the results of that test?



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Michele McMurray -- Rescue & Cat owner -- 97% Positive Feedback on 100 Cat Accepts
35 years of cats - have seen it all at one time or another, current work also includes rescue, rehab
Reply
July 27 2006 at 11:32 PM (4 hours and 11 minutes and 20 seconds later)
         
Reply to Michele Conrade's Post: No, my pet has not been tested for Feline Infectious Peritonitis. Would this cause his stool to be offensive? ---Thank you for your help.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Reply
July 27 2006 at 11:52 PM (19 minutes and 46 seconds later)
         
Reply to Michele Conrade's Post: Please note that my cat 'marby' to my knowledge has never been tested for feline infectious peritonitis but I am going to call my vet and ask him if he had done so. Maybe he was tested and I just don't remember, so I'll call and let you know tomorrow evening. Do you think that there might be another kind of worm doing this to him ?
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
July 27 2006 at 11:58 PM (6 minutes and 1 second later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

Yes, it can cause an odor in his stool and it would also explain the "bloated" look you are seeing. If he has never been tested then I suggest that be done soon. Most cats are born carrying the FIV virus. In some it developes and in some it never does. Feral cats seem to be more at risk for development but it does develop in cats who have never been outside as well. I am surprised that the clinic in NY didn't test for it but they probably assumed it was done by your regular vet as it is relatively common. I am sending you a link that explains FIP further and will give you some idea as to what to expect if he does test positive.

http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/resources/brochure/fip.html

http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/health/FIP.html

I hope this helps. Please let me know if you need additional information.



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Michele McMurray -- Rescue & Cat owner -- 97% Positive Feedback on 100 Cat Accepts
35 years of cats - have seen it all at one time or another, current work also includes rescue, rehab
Answer
July 28 2006 at 12:04 AM (6 minutes and 5 seconds later)
         
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Michele McMurray -- Rescue & Cat owner -- 97% Positive Feedback on 100 Cat Accepts
35 years of cats - have seen it all at one time or another, current work also includes rescue, rehab
Reply
July 31 2006 at 10:53 PM (3 days and 22 hours later)
         
Reply to Michele Conrade's Post: Dear Michele,
Thank you for your information concerning 'Marby'. My vet did have him tested for fiv when he was not yet a year old. Is there anything else that can cause his stool to be so very offensive and how should I direct my vet so that he can search further.
I would also like for you to know that I would like to accept your answer, but I'd like to know if I can still communicate with you after I do accept your answer or do I have to pay again?

Thanks again for your kind attention to this chronic problem.

Leona

Edited by Customer (name blocked for privacy) on July 31 2006 at 10:55 PM
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
August 1 2006 at 1:42 AM (2 hours and 49 minutes and 6 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark

you can accept and still communicate without having to pay again. simply post to this original question to contact me. I am researching your problem and will write more for you in a bit.

Michele



If you found this answer helpful, please click on ACCEPT and PLEASE LEAVE FEEDBACK. Accepting an answer that you are able to use improves BOTH of our ratings. And a bonus is always welcome! You may reopen your question at anytime if needed.
Picture
Michele McMurray -- Rescue & Cat owner -- 97% Positive Feedback on 100 Cat Accepts
35 years of cats - have seen it all at one time or another, current work also includes rescue, rehab
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