Why is my cat's belly bloated with fluid and he's losing weight?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 1 year and 2 months old | 10.25 lbs
Hello doctor.. Mara’s tummy is really bloated as if he is pregrent. I took him to vet and checked but doctor wasn’t able to find out what really is causing him sick. I am hoping to find out that if someone knows about this problem. He is getting skinnier by his belly. I am also suspecting if it’s the fungi. My bathroom’s leaking was so bad that we need a specialist to come and take care. I have med for him but I want to try anything that will make him healthy again. Thank you...
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on November 27th, 2017
Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! From the X-rays, I can see that Mara's abdomen appears to be filled with fluid. It is obscuring his liver and intestines from being seen and there may even be a small amount in his lungs. Unfortunately it is impossible to tell what the fluid is from the x-ray alone. His blood work shows some abnormalities with his electrolytes, which may be if he is not eating or from fluid in the abdomen. Mara also has a high white blood cell count, these are the cells that are responsible for fighting off infections and increase if there is one present. Your vet can run some additional diagnostics, and perform a tap and remove the fluid as well as a blood test to determine if Mara is infected with FIP, a mutated form of a common virus that cats are exposed to. I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on April 28th, 2017
If the vet who drained the fluid analyzed the cellular content of the fluid (or sent it to a pathologist), you might be able to obtain some valuable information that could lead to a diagnosis. If still possible, I would have seen if the veterinarian could re-xrayed after the fluid was removed for better visualization. The blood work findings you have stated are consistent with dehydration and anorexia. Fluid in the abdomen in my experience is usually originating from the liver. Another possibility is that there could be a mass in the abdomen that is leaking some type of fluid. I would recommend diagnostic ultrasound in addition to the other diagnostics already performed to better assess the situation. This imaging modality will provide different, and in general, more detailed information on the abdominal contents.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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