Conference misery::feline_v1

    
    
      Bob,
    
            I know exactly what you're talking about and I must say
    you did a good job describing it :^).  Two of the girls have this
    type of extra underneath that is noticeable like your little one.
    For some reason the other one doesn't.  I've always wondered why
    some do and some don't.  It does feel awfully strange when you do
    give them belly rubs.  I don't think its anything at all to worry
    about but I sure am curious now that you've got me thinking about
    it as to why some do and some don't.
    
                                                       kim
    

         Kim....it sounds like it might be pretty common then.  So...
    does anyone out there know what causes it and if it could be a problem
    down the road??
    
    
    Bob

    Eirene has this too, but Alex and Pip don't. I've heard that it has
    something to do with the surgical technique used to do the spaying, but
    I don't know if that is true. It doesn't seem to bother Eirene any, she
    is just as conceited as she before the spay...

    Deb

    Might not be a bad idea to let the vet know about this.  Since it
    is so hard to describe things like this, you all might not be talking
    about the same condition.  The vet would know if there was any cause
    for alarm.
    
    Jo

    I seem to remember a note in here about it being due to differences
    in surgical technique.
    

    Both Underfoot and Jellybean (females) developed these "tiny pot
    belly's" after spaying.  I personally think they're adorable when
    my babies run through the apartment and it swings back and forth!
    :-)
    
    I asked my vet about it as soon as I discovered them, and he said
    that it's simply that the inside muscles have lost their elasticity
    from the surgery.  He reassured me that there was nothing to worry
    about.
    
    My kids were (and are) just fine!
    
    Kelley

    What you described sounds alot like a hernia to me.  (Bumpy was
    operated on for one when she was 10 yrs old!)  I can't remember
    how long ago you said the spay had been, but if its been more than
    a few weeks, I'd call the vet.
      A hernia would be caused in this situation, by the internal
    sutures, which closed the abdominal wall, coming undone before
    the muscle had healed itself closed.  That would then allow
    some of the intestine to protrude through the opening.  The would
    cause no pain or trouble to the cat until it became strangulated.
    Then its big trouble.  
      Alternatively, this could just be a build-up of fluid along the
    suture line which will take care of itself in time.
    
    Bottom line - call the vet and check with him/her.
      Nancy DC
    

         Thanks for the info.....she's due for a check-up soon so I'll
    make sure the vet checks it out.
    
    
    
    Bob

    
    
    I had a male cat once that was born with a hernia..  When he
    was full grown he was about an inch big all the way around -
    in a circle.  So it may be that..
    
    BUT - I just got my mumma kitty fixed about two months ago and my
    vet did this operation on the *side* of her.  On the side of her
    belly, that is.  She thinks this is a better way of doing it,
    instead of going through her stomach, etc.  I think it may have
    also been less sensitive for her after the operation..  She had
    stiches on top, but it was also stitched underneath, in the 
    muscle, in case of her pulling out the stitches (which she didn't
    anyway)..
    
    So... if anyone is concerned about there cat producing a "belly"
    I would ask your vet about this surgical technique...
    
    F.

    Both of my cats developed droopy tummies after being spayed also.
    I asked the vet about this before they were spayed because every
    cat I've ever had had the same thing. Her answer was much like what
    someone said in a previous reply, muscles lost their elasticity.
    According to the vet, some kitties develop this and some don't but
    it is not a problem for the cat. 

    .. Happy also has a "droopy tum-tum.... and  pookie does not...
    I can remember asking my vet abou this.. and he chuckled, and
    replies.. well Pookie has maintained her girlish figure, and has
    a
    dainty appetite.. and Happy cat has a not so dainty appetite..!!!
    chuckle.. chuckle.. and then went on to say that some loose their
    elasticiity.... Tought I'd share that with you all.. it is
    true little (?) Happy just loves to eat.....
    regards
    kate

    Re .7
    
    That is exactly what I was thinking.  Could be a hernia or fluid
    build up, better to check it out with the vet.
    
    Jo

    My brother's cat has this "lion's belly" as I call it (some large
    wild cats have a rather saggy rear stomach) and the vet said some
    cats get it, some don't.  BT was the first I've seen with it, but
    it's my guess that what most here are describing are the same...
    
                                                             ---kim

    re: .14  Mao and Isis have that too.  Jack calls it "kitty guts".
    He'll pat it and say "I've got the kitty guts!"  
      That doesn't sound like what was described in .0
      N
    

    Isis has it too.  Since her underbelly is light cream and fluffy
    she's let it drop a little for feminine effect (like letting the
    edge of your petticoat show beneath your skirt in that "peasant"
    look we were all wearing a few years ago).
        
    I think it's just the effect of spaying but I'll ask the vet next
    time we go.
        
    Kate

    Dream has it.  My vet checked her out and said she
    just "sags".  It's receded a bit as she has shed some
    extra pounds.  It was practically grazing the floor when
    I got her!  She does like her "crunchies...."
    
    Mary-Michael