Expert: Jana Connell RVT, CVT - 8/21/2011

Question
I have a 12 week old kitten. THursday my husband backed out of driveway and turned. He heard a small thump and looked toward the road and saw what we later found was our kitten running funny. I looked and didnt see any animal but it was dark. This was 530am. At 4 pm I walked across road an looked again. THe kitten was under the driveway in the culvert. After 40 minutes i got her out. Well SHe crawled out on her own when we went in after her.

Her back leg looked hurt but after getting out her tummy was swollen near the back legs. I got her to the vet. He did 2 xrays and spine and hips not broken. no broken bones. He expresses her bladder an no blood. temp of 103. He said bladder was intact. Did not know why stomach swollen. SHe had hard time walking with back end. He gave her fluids, antibiotics, pain meds. Sent her home.

Next day friday i left her there. Gave her another shot pain med. She walked good after that. THey played with her. Still stomach swollen.  Sat i took her again. THe stomach seemed more swollen an now limping on front leg. Said had knot on front leg (had one on rear leg) gave her another pain shot.

Today Sunday she walking decent. Still peeing alot an poop is ok. I picked her up the stomach now looking bruised as its getting red. It feels hard now instead of so squishy.  Vet had no idea whats wrong with stomach said could still have internal bleeding.  The hard stomach worries me more then squishy one.  IM taking her back to vet in am and leaving her when they open. SHe is eating ok and purrs. Still sore but walks better with back legs together instead of spread. vet said at first looked like bite but no woulds. If my husband had not seen her would not have any idea. But still stumped as what happened. sounded like she ran into the tire.  
So any help on swollen stomach. i really hope its not internal bleeding. She looks normal other then stomach. Im so worried about her.

Answer
Hi Susan,
I am sorry your kitty is having such terrible issues. I really can't tell you much because this is a hands on problem, one that someone needs to be there to see. I would have the vet tap her abdomen and check for blood but that is about all I can tell you.

There is no other real way to tell what is is there because an xray will just show cloudiness.
I would have to say they she could have been bumped by the car or even run over a bit.

In either case, give them a call and ask them if they have tapped her belly for blood etc.

She could have ruptured some lymph glands as well which will drain into the abdomen and cause a condition where the the abdomen fills with a fluid called chylo.

So call the vet and ask about that. That is about all I can tell you at this point. I hope that she gets past this. Please let me know how she does.