Kidneys???

[CutestDevil]

Ok this is going to sound like a really weird question.

I was playing with my kitten (who is just coming off a baterial infection - currently on Clavomox) when i noticed something I dont think i've ever felt before.
On both sides of his body, just behind the rib cage (by behind i mean, when he is standing with his butt to be, its closer to me then his head) i can feel something round and hard. I'm not sure if its his kidneys (one on either side) or his stomach (not sure about cat anatomy).
He has no other symptoms of anything, and was just examined by a vet a week ago. Like i said, i just noticed it, but thats not to say it hasnt always been there.
What could it be??

[special]

can you see them? or if you just can feel them, do you have to "dig deep" with your fingers to find them?

I wonder if they are swollen lymph nodes? I don't know for sure, but I don't think the kidneys are that prominent.

I'd give the vet a call tomorrow anyway, just to ease your own mind, unless someone here can give you a more definitive answer..

<in edit....how close together are they. under the ribs on his back or underneath? I wonder if it's just poop>

[tiffers]

It sounds like floating ribs to me. We see owners getting really worked up about it, just like you. ...don't worry too much, give your vet a call in the morning. I'm sure it's nothing serious.

[special]

floating ribs..what on earth? will you please explain that in more detail, Tiffany? Thanks!

[tiffers]

lol ...I will try my best, Special. I don't thoroughly understand them myself, and am pretty sure they're no harm and no purpose. We generally see them in kittens and puppies...but, here's a quote from a website that kind of explains them better than I could even begin to.

Cats have thirteen pairs of ribs. The first 9 of these attach to the ventral sternum by way of costal cartilage. The next three pairs are variably attached to each other and the sternum and the thirteenth pair are floating ribs and have no association with the sternum.

Link for quote: Floating Ribs

[kyukidojen]

People have floating ribs too. I am a martial artist, and we use them as as target, actually. They don't really "float" - they're only attached on one end instead of two, like most ribs. So they do have some flexibility. In some people, and animals, they stick out noticably. It's not dangerous or painful, though.

[tiffers]

Originally Posted by kyukidojen

They don't really "float" - they're only attached on one end instead of two, like most ribs. So they do have some flexibility. In some people, and animals, they stick out noticably.

Thanks for that easy explanation...I'm all kinds of foggy headed tonight, I just couldn't seem to spit it out right. (Though, I didn't know people had them, too!)

[kyukidojen]

no prob.

I'm fuzzy headed too, but it's one of the things that's been so drilled into my head...

[CutestDevil]

Just an update

I will be taking Achilles into the vet first thing in the morning for an emergency.
The lump has gotten bigger on one side, and he is definately have issues walking. Hes definately uncomfortable and maybe even in pain. i can see the lump sticking out.
Hes not himself and right now is in the bathroom - he never goes in there when im home.
He hasnt vomitted and no diarhea.

[nanamouse]

Sorry to hear that he's worse, hopfully it will be minor. Glad he has an owner who's watchful too. Let us know how it goes with him tomorrow, and good luck.

[CutestDevil]

problem is i dont have a lot of money, and the vet requires payment right away.
Legally he still belongs to the rescue shelter.

[tiffers]

...is it warm to the touch at all? I wonder if he has an abscess. Is he eating or drinking?

[CutestDevil]

My dad suggested the same thing. It jsut suddenly appeared in a few days and ive read that if their immune system has been compromised (he is just getting over an infection) then it can cause them to get bigger.
He is drinking, and he was in the litter box.

[CutestDevil]

Achilles has been put to sleep.

[special]

Oh my gosh! OH no! Oh no, I'm so sorry! What was it, what happened?