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My cat has a fluid bulge on his leg after vet fluids. Is it normal?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Male | neutered | 2 years old | 14 lbs

My cat was vomiting today so I took him to our vet. They ended up giving him fluids today. Now it’s a couple hours after we got home & I noticed that behind his right front leg is extra skin that seems to be filled with the fluid. I don’t know what to do! Is this normal or should I take him to the emergency vet? The first picture is of his left side which is normal & the other 2 are of the right side that has the bulge.

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Christie Long, DVM

Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

Published on March 19th, 2018

Thanks for finding us here at PetCoach! I just wanted to be sure you were aware that we provide housecalls to pets in the San Diego area. Visit us at https://www.petcoach.co/house-call-veterinarians/ or email us at housecalls@petcoach.co for more information.

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    Answered By Lisa Mausbach, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Good Evening...thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I am sorry that Tom Meowdle Juarez is feeling under the weather, I know how scary that can be as a pet parent! It is very common for the fluid given to pets subcutaneously (fluids under the skin) to migrate to more dependent/lower (ventral) areas of the body. For example, if the fluids were given up around the neck and over the shoulder or back region, the fluids will frequently migrate down to one of the front legs. The fluid should absorb completely within the next 12-36 hours and his leg should return to normal :-) However, if the vomiting persists, please reach back out to your veterinarian for next steps. I hope this helps!

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