If anyone has any idea for my cat...

[ferrari2325]

Hi, I have a four year old cat who has had some issues since I've had her, but are slowly progressing? She has another vet appointment tuesday, but if I can get any ideas before I spend more money on tests that will come back negative. She is a chronic vomiter, almost everytime she eats, she vomits. she doesn't chew her food, and I follow the recommended feeding instructions. I have tried changing her diet, numerous times, with no results. She has been tested for feline leukemia and aids, been on medication, etc. Nothing has helped. Her appetite is fine, though. She is lethargic nowadays, neverplays any more, just sits and sleeps all day. But she never gains weight. She actually looks like she is losing weight. Her coat isn't full and shiny anymore, she has sores on her gums, and extremely bad breath. I am going to get her tested for hyper thyroid at her vet appointment, but I'd hate to spend another $100 on a test for something she doesn't have. However, I have NO clue what is wrong with her. All I know is that within the last three months, she has becom every lethargic. She just sits or sleeps all day. Any ideas I can take to the vet and ask about?

[Love4himies]

What have you been feeding your cat?

[ferrari2325]

I've changed it so much; I've done everything from Iams, to meow mix, wet cat food, right now she's on an indoor formula from purina, and she throws up less often on it, it's had the best result so far, but she still throws up occasionally.

[Love4himies]

Has the vet discussed IBD with you or given you any causes for the sores in the mouth? Could it be from the stomach acid in the vomit?

Purina is really a poor quality food and I highly recommend changing to a high quality cat food such as Wellness or Nature's Variety Instinct, canned varieties only as your kitty may not be getting enough water due to vomiting.

http://www.wellnesspetfood.com/cat_w...can_index.html

http://www.naturesvariety.com/instinct_cat_can

Here is some reading on cat food and nutrition:

http://www.catinfo.org/

[ferrari2325]

No, what is IBD? I have a coworker who recently had to euthanize her cat due to hyper thyroid, causing heart failure, and alot of the symptoms her cat was showing over a prolonged period are very similar to mine. The vomiting has been a constant since I have had her, over three years. Her becoming lethargic over the last 3-6 months has me worried on top of everything else. She liked the canned wet food, but still vomited that. She does seem dehydrated. I fill her water bowl everyday, and still she drinks out of the toilet, water cups left unattended, and her own water dish. The last vet visit was a couple hundred, with no result. Her temperment is still great, on the up side

[ferrari2325]

oh, and sugar cat mom, I haven't had a dental on her.. I am taking her to a new vet, due to lots of money spent at the last with no result..and they do dental at their office. I will ask about that.. I love her lots, and she's the best cat ever. I want her well and playing again!! she acts like an old cat and she's only going to be four in december.

[Love4himies]

Originally Posted by ferrari2325

No, what is IBD? I have a coworker who recently had to euthanize her cat due to hyper thyroid, causing heart failure, and alot of the symptoms her cat was showing over a prolonged period are very similar to mine. The vomiting has been a constant since I have had her, over three years. Her becoming lethargic over the last 3-6 months has me worried on top of everything else. She liked the canned wet food, but still vomited that. She does seem dehydrated. I fill her water bowl everyday, and still she drinks out of the toilet, water cups left unattended, and her own water dish. The last vet visit was a couple hundred, with no result. Her temperment is still great, on the up side

IBD is Inflammatory Bowel Disease and can cause chronic vomiting in cats. Cats can also have bloody diarrhea with mucous. There is no cure for it, but some people have had success in controling it with a raw diet. True IBD (not allergy driven) is treated with prednisone during flare ups.

http://www.vin.com/VINDBPub/SearchPB...00/PR00427.htm

[sugarcatmom]

Originally Posted by ferrari2325

I have a coworker who recently had to euthanize her cat due to hyper thyroid, causing heart failure, and alot of the symptoms her cat was showing over a prolonged period are very similar to mine.

Hyperthyroid is basically the result of a tumor on the thyroid gland (and is also easily treated with meds - I'm sorry that your coworker chose to pts) and is more typical of older (8+) cats. I think IBD and/or stomatitis are much more likely scenarios.

[sugarcatmom]

Originally Posted by ferrari2325

Her coat isn't full and shiny anymore, she has sores on her gums, and extremely bad breath.

The sores on her gums are an alarm bell for me. Has she had a dental at all? I'm wondering if she might have Stomatitis, which is extreme gingivitis.

Try to feed her a good quality canned food, no dry. She's probably not chewing her food because it hurts, and then regurgitates it as it expands in her stomach. Get something like Wellness, Innova Evo 95% meat, Nature's Variety Instinct, Precise, Eagle Pack, Natural Balance. Don't feed any Meow Mix or Purina crap, she needs good quality nutrition to help her fragile immune system.

I'm not sure a hyperthroid test is money well spent at this point. Ask the vet about stomatitis and perhaps a referral to someone experienced in dental issues.