My cat has lost a lot of weight and is very thin - she also vomits / has runs - what’s wrong with her?
My cat used to weigh over a stone and was very overweight.
She was a rescue cat from a Cats Protection Agency and I have rehomed problem cats in the past. She’s very skittish and nervous around people.
She’s also an indoor cat.
She gradually started to lose weight a year and a half ago.
Additionally, as she is so nervous (she was previously abused) she will not let me groom her and her coat gets very matted. I have taken her to a groomer when it has gotten very bad and it has once more - I’m booking her in tomorrow.
I hadn’t noticed how thin she’d got until some friends came to visit who haven’t seen her in a while and noticed. She’s now very bony but eats and eats.
Tinned cat food an certain biscuits make her vomit and have diarrhoea.On the vets recommendation I give her a Science Plan brand for fussy cats and her stools are now healthy and there’s minimum vomiting.
She is regularly wormed / flead and has a yearly check up and injection but I’m very worried about how thin she has got.
She’s always going to be skittish and hard to handle due to being abused and although likes affections, runs away if I gently approach her.
I’m booking her into the vets again tomorrow as I’m concerned and would love any thoughts.
Thanks for all your comments.
She's 5 / 6 years old - it wasn't very clear when I rehomed her.
Some of the vomit does have hair in it yes. I think that is part of the reason. Since changing her to the "fussy cat" food, her diarrhoea has improved. She seems lively and usual other than that.
She does always have lots of water and drinks a lot - but more than most cats as she only eats the recommended dry food anyway.
I hope it's nothing too serious and will update you when I've been to my vet tomorrow.
I have a cat who lost a lot of weight about 6 years ago, she is now 11 yrs old and has lived with diabetes for 6 years, I give her 2 shots of insulin a day and spot check her blood sugar with a human monitor/lancets. I think the Vet will check for this, I HOPE ITs nothing, but so happy you are taking her to the VET, make sure you research diabetes, cats need to eat high protein not grains and especially if they have high blood sugar!! GOOD LUCK… see like a lot of info for diabetes
January 31st, 2009 at 4:17 am
Sound's like something wrong with your puss thriod or another condtion where weight loss
As thyroid hormone effects so many organs in the body, the whole well-being of the cat changes as the disease progresses. Initially the most common sign is weight loss. This is normally accompanied by an increased appetite and sometimes excessive drinking. Vomiting and diarrhoea often occur as well. Some cats will show behavioural changes becoming unsettled, hyperactive and very vocal. Because life isn’t simple, a few cats will do exactly the opposite – eating less and becoming lethargic.
As the disease progresses changes occur in the heart leading to cardiac failure and difficulty breathing. Rises in blood pressure may also lead to retinal bleeds in the eye, which can cause temporary or permanent blindness.
Signs of Diabetes Mellitus
Polyuria, polydipsia, increased appetite, weight loss, and lethargy are hallmark signs of diabetes in pets. In cats, a disorder called neuropathy that causes weakness in the rear legs is often what led to a diagnosis.
In the earlier stages of the disease, cats remain active and alert with few other signs of disease. However as the disease progresses concurrent conditions often appear, such as poor haircoat, liver disease, and secondary bacterial infections become more common. A dangerous condition called ketoacidosis may develop in some cats, and is discussed elsewhere on this site.
References :
http://www.darwinvets.com/cats/hyperthyroid.htm
http://www.felinediabetes.com/diabetes-info.htm
January 31st, 2009 at 5:07 am
well if she has diarrhea and vomits a lot, its likely that shes becoming dehydrated, so you want to make sure that you keep giving her water. excessive diarrhea and vomiting is probably the cause of the weight loss, but you definately want to visit the vet so that they can find out exactly what the problem is.
References :
!;D
January 31st, 2009 at 5:44 am
could possibly be because of all the fur. Make sure its vomit and not hairballs. If it were me i would take her too the vet for some bloodwork. She could possibly have some thyroid issue.
Hope this helps
good luck.
References :
January 31st, 2009 at 5:49 am
How old is your cat. if older then this might be the cause.
it is good that you are taking her to the vet tomorrow…
I give my cats.. acidophilus… it contains the good bacteria that is in the bowels. since I started it they don't vomit any more.
This is important that this bacteria is replaced after antibiotics.
What about hair balls… give some petrolium jelly … swipe it on her leg she will lick it off.
I feed my old girl chicken livers cooked and cut up… she purrrrs while eating … she feels thin but weighs 9 lbs. so not really skinny… just not a lot of muscle any more.
DO NOT FEED MILK… it causes diharrea.
good luck >^..^<
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January 31st, 2009 at 6:15 am
She could be diabetic. Ask the vet what he/she thinks.
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January 31st, 2009 at 6:29 am
She should not be eating dry foods. There are many possibilities here
hyperthyroid, ibd, diabetes all very treatable. If your cat has diabetes
please read my profile and contact me
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January 31st, 2009 at 7:01 am
I have a cat who lost a lot of weight about 6 years ago, she is now 11 yrs old and has lived with diabetes for 6 years, I give her 2 shots of insulin a day and spot check her blood sugar with a human monitor/lancets. I think the Vet will check for this, I HOPE ITs nothing, but so happy you are taking her to the VET, make sure you research diabetes, cats need to eat high protein not grains and especially if they have high blood sugar!! GOOD LUCK… see like a lot of info for diabetes
References :
http://www.felinediabetes.com/faq.htm#diet
January 31st, 2009 at 7:28 am
The drinking a lot could be a sign of diabetes. The weight and vomiting could be a thyroid issue.
I don’t know what time your appointment with the vet is tomorrow, but I would recommend fasting the cat for 12 hours before the appointment. That means no food, but she can have water. The reason for this is so the vet can do bloodwork on her. The bloodwork is most accurate if the cat has not eaten in 12 hours. I would also ask for a Thyroid panel to be included in the bloodwork. Thyroid problems in cats usually present as weight loss, poor hair coat, with matting, vomiting and sometimes diarrhea. Since she is so nervous, I would do the fasting so that you don’t have to make a return trip for the bloodwork in a few days.
References :
Former CVT
January 31st, 2009 at 8:03 am
I saw this product called Acai Berry on Oprah the other week.. Looked like all the other diet scams, but I went for it and ordered a 14-day free trial from this site.. And guess what, it really works!! I’m so happy I’ve already lost weight, gotten more energy and my stomach is flatter than ever!
References :
http://loseweightcdeeb.blogspot.com
January 31st, 2009 at 8:42 am
That drinking a lot of water is a sure sign of a diabetic condition.
My vet said three things will make weight melt off a cat–renal failure, thyroid problems and diabetic conditions. The first is quick and not treatable. The other two are treatable. I hope your vet does a blood spectrum (which checks how the organs are working) AND a urinalysis (for the diabetes possibility). If they don’t then the vet is not covering all the basics, you need to have a different vet see the cat if the first only does a standard by-hand checkup.
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January 31st, 2009 at 9:12 am
Well, you’ve shown great responsibility and pet ownership. Kudos to you. I agree with a thyroid issue since everything else has been ruled out. She could have a form of cancer as well. Sorry. Yes, update us with what the vet says. Good luck.
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