Abdominal Swelling of a Cat

I found an injured kitten whose back leg is fractured/dislocated at the hip joint. It has little appetite and part of its abdomen closer to its back legs is swollen. I live in a country where it is difficult to take it to a vet and afford that kind of money. what could be the cause of the swollen abdomen and is it fatal?

  • Vetinfo

    By: Erika Raines El Segundo, CA

    Replied on 04/19/2011

    There are many causes of a swollen abdomen. Some are as simple as a heavy infection of intestinal parasites and others are as serious as an infection with the deadly feline infectious peritonitis virus causing a build up of fluid in the abdomen. It is unusual for a young kitten to show severe signs of feline infectious peritonitis, but it is not impossible that this is the cause. Another possibility in this case is that the injury to the hip has caused so much damage and swelling that the back of the abdomen is also swollen. If at all possible, you should have the kitten seen by a veterinarian to at least provide some pain management for the injured leg. -Erika, DVM

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