Gas trapped in abdomen or wicked fart incoming?
Hello! My (23F) cat Simba (15M - neutered) decided he no longer liked his kibble on May 9th. Refused to eat it. I tried changing his kibble. No dice. He would still happily eat wet food. I booked a vet appointment though since Simba has never met a food he didn't like and it was a sudden onset.
When he does eat wet food, he frequently pauses to life his head, look around, and lick his lips. He also goes to the water fountain right after eating. He has also had some strange litter habits where he will walk to the litter box, dig, assume the pee squat and nothing happens but then he will go drink some more water and 10 minutes later return to the litter box and produce per without issue.
Vet appointment last Thursday. Oral exam. Some gingivitis on his teeth, but the vet thinks that it shouldn't stop him from eating. No growths or sores in his mouth. They do some bloodwork, everything is fine. They do a urine test, also clean. Slightly concentrated with 1+ protein but the vet isn't concerned.
He goes back today because I also noticed a little lump on the back of his neck. He has a history of MCTs (2 previously, both were removed, one 5 years ago and one 4 years ago. Clean margins.). One fine needle aspiration later and he has another MCT.
Vet does an X-ray. She says she can see a huge excessive amount of gas. She's concerned about this. I have another appointment tomorrow morning for a follow-up X-ray to see if the gas has moved (which hopefully means that it is in the colon, not loose in his abdomen). This is the part I'd like the second opinion on. Does it look like it is in his colon? The vet also suspects pancreatitis but Simba has had no vomiting or diarrhea. Before I shell out the $900, does anyone else have any opinions?
He's my best friend and I've had him for his whole 15 years of life - over half of my life. I grew up with him. I don't want to have to let him go yet but if it is his time, then I will try to do what is best for him.