Expert: Jessica - 12/24/2010

Question
My cat Lulu is on the mend from being ill and she was at the vet 24hours ago and was administered fluids per the vets request. The vet tech told me after administering the fluids that a golf ball sized pocket of fluid between her shoulderblades was normal and would go away. (Big for a 6 pound cat) Now that it is a day later and it has moved down her side, under her belly and now down her leg - I'm worried. It is a little smaller but it is still worrying me. So do fluids move and pool under the skin of cats for that long after being administered or was this a botched vet tech job. I know it wasn't like this the week before when they gave her fluids. Very worried - thanks for your help!

Answer
Hi Jessie,

It's common for the fluids to migrate down the shoulders and legs.  However, the fluids should generally all be absorbed within 24 hours.  If it takes longer than this for fluids to be absorbed, you should contact your vet for advice.  She may have been more dehydrated last week when they gave her fluids than she was this time, and that's the reason she absorbed them much more quickly last time.  Most times, it will be advised just to monitor the kitty to be sure the fluids slowly absorb over the next day or so.  At times, the failure of the body to absorb fluids can indicate bigger problems, such as fluid accumulation elsewhere in the body caused by liver disease or other issues, and a diuretic might be in order.  A recheck may be necessary if she is not absorbing the fluids as expected.  But I would suspect the fluids should slowly absorb over the next day or so.

Good luck!

Jessica