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-   -   My cat is eating lots but losing weight and his fur! any help? (http://www.pets.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=52847)

tiggerdigger June 2nd, 2008 04:57 PM

My cat is eating lots but losing weight and his fur! any help?
 
My cat is around 10 years old, he eats alot of food and will even push the dog out the way to eat his. His fur is also falling out in random places like the bottom of his back and slowly grows back very spikey. What could this be? Should he be taken to the vet? how much would it cost?

Any help really appreciated.

Dr Lee June 2nd, 2008 05:23 PM

There may be many things that are going on however just from the short description of a older cat who has haircoat issues, losing weight and a better than average appetite, an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) would certainly be on my list. If blood work has not been done within the last 6 months, then this might be a good idea. Having your veterinarian doing a 'once over' would likely be a good place to start. Is his water consumption increased? Good luck!:pawprint:

growler~GateKeeper June 3rd, 2008 02:01 AM

As Dr. Lee says a visit to the vet is in order. Could be many things, almost all easily treatable when caught as early as possible, HyperT being one of the first that came to mind. I would start w/a physical exam, blood and urine tests.

As for cost much of that may depend on your area, since clinics range in prices.

rainbow June 3rd, 2008 02:33 AM

Hypothyroidism was my first thought as well and it is easily treatable. Since your cat is 10 yr old he definitely should have a geriatric blood panel done.

Like Growler said, the cost depends on the vet clinic, so you could phone all the vets in your area and ask for a quote. Good luck and please post with an update.

katherine93 June 3rd, 2008 12:59 PM

Hypothyroidism is most likely the case, but for some reason, whenever i hear about something like this, my first thought is tapeworm! I dunno, it just seems to fit, like hes eating alot because everything that goes in him is eaton by the worm, therefore hes hungry. loosing weight because hes not getting any of the nutrients. And the fur sounds as though he is suffering from severe malnutrition, which also fits.. I think thats the first thing that comes to mind because i took in a stray that had a tapeworm and was the exact same way.

Dr Lee June 3rd, 2008 01:53 PM

Rainbow and Katherine, I think you mean [I]hyper[/I]-thyroidism ;)

katherine93 June 3rd, 2008 01:56 PM

OOPS! haha yea thas what i ment..lol

katzteddybear June 20th, 2008 11:32 AM

My cat is losing weight, also.
 
I have a 13 year old tom who went from a slightly overweight 13.9 lbs. to a very underweight 8.2. I have taken him to the vet for bloodwork. The vet suspected diabetes. Platelets, whitecount, gloucose are normal. Liver and Kidneys are good. A slight elevation in pancreatic fluid was the only thing the vet found with a slight temp.- 103.2 degrees. The vet told me to watch diet, but didn't recommend any kind of food. He does drink plenty of water, and his diet has always been Iams (various kinds-depending on age and weight) along with some table scraps.

I don't know what to do. I'm worried while I'm watching his diet I'm going to have a pet skeleton on my hand, he almost seems that way now. Any suggestions on change in food to give him, that would be healthy and get him to put on weight would be appreciated. This comes frome the U.S. so Canadian brands won't be of much help unless they are sold in U.S. Thank you in advance to anyone who can help me solve the mystery of my cats weight loss.:usa:

Jeeves June 20th, 2008 12:03 PM

Whether your cat has thyroid issues or diabetes, these chronic health problems are usually associated with diet. Cats in the wild (grasslands of Africa, which is where the domestic cat originated) do not display these types of health conditions. If you opt to feed a biologically correct diet of meat, (whether raw or cooked, it is your choice), these health issues do not tend to materialize. Any holistic vet worth their salt will tell you that a species appropriate diet is the answer to these health issues. I hope this information is helpful. If you need any information on how to feed this way, Feline Future has plenty of information. One thing to keep in mind with cat diets - a cat should never be fed a dry kibble diet, as this tends to make the cat chronically dehydrated, and the grain content of the kibble upsets the pH level in the urine, causing struvite crystals and kidney problems.


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