Bubbles under skin

Question
Hey holly. I have a boy cat. Joey. He is about 8months old. He is a very loving cat. Kisses me all the time prrs allot! I have noticed about an hour ago he has this bubles under his skin. It feels like it is popping. He still eats but it seems that he has bit of pain. He mouns if i pick him up and doesnt prr! I love love love my kitty but really really dont have money for a vet. He doesnt have much energy. I am so worried. Isnt there something i can do till end of month or a home remedy? I have to add my other cat Lancia had babys 2days ago. Dont know if it can come from them. Please help. Lizzy

Answer
Hi Lizelna,

I have no experience with this personally, but according to what I read, it is ONLY treatable by a vet.  What you describe is called subcutaneous emphezema or crepitus.  Several things can cause it, including trauma, injection of sq fluids over time, metabolic process in the cat
or several others.  Either way, you need to call a vet ASAP.  Believe it or not, there are vets that are willing to do low cost exams.  You can call your local shelter for references to low cost clinics.  You can also use Banfield, the pet hospital located in Petsmarts.  They have clinic hours in which they will see your pet without charging for an exam.  That way, you only have to pay for a test or medication if needed.  The vet will not do anything without consulting with you and first examining your cat.  

As far as the kittens, based on my research, there is no way that this condition came from then.  However, I ALWAYS recommend that kittens are kept separate from other pets in the household (other than their mother of course) as a precautionary measure.  I highly recommend you get her spayed as soon as they are weaned.  For every kitten you allow your cat to have, you are condemning one more already alive.  Four million pets are euthanized every year due to pet overpopulation, so please be a part of the solution, not the problem.  And honestly, in addition to all the health benefits of spaying, if you can't afford a vet consult, you shouldn't be allowing your cat to have kittens.  Pregnancy is very trying on their bodies, and there can be a lot of complications that can be VERY expensive, and will put her life as well as the kittens at risk.  If you don't want to lose your beloved pet, please get her spayed when they are weaned (8 weeks old).  The shelter can give you references to low cost spay clinics as well.  Sometimes there are even special programs where certain organization will spay/neuter for free, so please give your local shelter a call today.  I also highly recommend not letting the mother go outside while she's nursing, and getting her on flea preventative as soon as possible.  You don't want the kittens to have to battle fleas and parasites their first days of life.  Thanks for seeking advice, but you really will need to consult a vet.  Call your local Banfield today.

I hope this all helps.

Best regards,
Holly M.