My cat is so swollen and "crunches" when I pet her... what is going on!?

Question

Today my cat was in hiding all day and when I finally found her she was all swollen in her back end and sides. She is typically rather skinny and it was obvious she was bloated. It feels like she's got a layer of fluid on her sides and back. Then when I tried to pet her it feels like there are little pockets of something in the fluid that sort of 'crunches' or krinkles like tissue paper when I pet her. It's the most bizarre thing and I have no idea what it is. I live in the middle of nowhere (literally) and by the time I drove forever to get to the nearest vet it was closed so I have to go tomorrow but I'm just wondering if anyone knows what this could be. I've had cats all my life and this is new to me... She is only one year old.

Answer 1

oh my! i have no idea sorry to say this but she may die if you dont get her some antibiotics..

Answer 2

Abscess? second degree burn...

this sounds a bit like it..

Deep wounds to the chest (I.E. large dog attacks small dog/cat) can penetrate through the chest wall and cause the lungs to collapse. Ribs can be fractured and flail chest injuries are common. The lungs can be torn leaking air into the chest cavity.

SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS

    * Your pet may appear in pain.

    * Increased breathing effort and depth or small rapid breaths.

    * Pain and swelling at the site of the injury.

    * Pale or blue tinged gums.

    * Free air under the skin.

    * Sucking noise if a skin wound penetrates into the chest cavity

    * An animal in severe respiratory distress will tend to lie on its sternum with its head extended and mouth open gasping for air.

MANAGEMENT

    * Encourage your pet to be as quiet as possible. Do not allow your pet to jump into or out of the car.

    * Apply lots of padding over the wounds and bandage in place.

    * Towels can be used for bandaging on larger dogs.

hope your cat feels better

Answer 3

Could she have been snake-bitten? And is there no emergency 24 hour vet you could drive her to? She may not last until tomorrow.

EDIT: No one is calling you a bad cat owner or a bad person. But if your cat dies, you may regret not having been willing to spend those few hours to get her help. I really do hope she survives.

Answer 4

stop sitting in front of the computer and go to the vet!  

Answer 5

wake up early and go 2 the vet

Answer 6

I'm not that familiar with cats but i am an EMT and when people are swollen like that and there are crackles it's usually cuz there is fluid inside the tissues, more than should be there.  Could be caused by CHF, coronary heart failure, or something similar in a cat.  You need to get her to a vet right away because something is wrong with her circulation.  I'm assuming that this fluid is putting strain on her heart.  Take her to a vet as soon as  you can.  

Answer 7

I am a vet tech and have been for more then 10 years. It sounds to me like she was injured and has air under her skin.  She is probably very injured and really needs to see a vet asap.  Keep her quite and calm until you can get her to the vet.