One of our cats has been behaving oddly. He has "banished" himself to the outdoors, he refuses to come inside. He has lost a lot of weight. His appetite is a bit lower than it used to be. He has skin issues as well. (a few small patches of hair missing.) Any ideas? I'm hoping to hear from someone who has some experience in the veterinary field. (yes, we are planning to take him to the vet as soon as we can.)
2006-08-31 03:07:57 · 21 answers · asked by Heather 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
More details:
He is fixed.
Not sure how old he is, he was a rescue.
Vet won't see him unless we have all of the $$$ up front, which we don't at the moment. I'm researching low cost vet clinics in the area. Yes, I already called the vet, described his symptoms. Asked if they would work with me on payments, they refuse.
To the person who called me irresponsible, read a little closer. HE banished himself. We try to bring him in, but he refuses. So we put food and fresh water outside for him and we go out to pet and cuddle him.
No abuse, he is well loved by everyone here. (we are all cat lovers, our pets are family)
Feline leukemia is a concern. But I hope not.
2006-08-31 03:25:25 · update #1
Another thing, he pretty much stays in the yard, and there are very few (if any) other cats in the area.
2006-08-31 03:27:12 · update #2
We have tried making him stay inside, but the result was him crying at the door, running out as soon as we open the door, and him using the bathroom right in front of the door. When he first decided he wanted to be outside, his weight was fine. But it has very recently started dropping. It was hard to tell at first, because he is extremely furry.
We have 2 other cats that like to go in and out, but they are perfectly fine.
2006-08-31 03:40:44 · update #3
Renee, thank you for your insight.
I tried changing his cat food. (we noticed he would devour the dog's food while ignoring his own food.) I am suspecting a possible developed adversion/allergy to his usual food. He loves the new food. Also got my hands on a good flea treatment, hopefully that will help. He has lost a total of 2 lbs. (he now weighs 12 lbs) Hopefully the rapid loss will stop if he eats this new food. I am also adding a little olive oil to his food to help his skin.
2006-08-31 08:19:33 · update #4
The most common cause of an older cat losing weight and being unkempt is hyperthyroidism which is treatable with medication. It is pretty rampant among older cats. Not sure of what age it is apt to kick in, since I'm not a vet I will venture to say around 10 years and up.
It's a pretty terrible condition, loss of weight, increased anxiety, eating lots (you do say his appetite is down so hyper T is contraindicated then), high blood pressure which can be hard on the heart.
Unfortunately a veterinary diagnosis is necessary to rule out leukemia, hyper T and other things. There is nothing you can do on your own without a diagnosis.
Poor kitty. You have given him love, food and a home in your garden. There may be nothing else you can do for him.
2006-08-31 03:42:10 · answer #1 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've Heard Of This Happening Before, Two Theories I Have:
1). The Cat Was Bitten By A Spider, Rodant Or Snake Or Carpet Snake Hiding Somewhere In the House And Has Been Traumatised And/Or Poisoned by it.
2).I Do Not Mean To Offend You But, Your Partner/One of Your Family Members Could Be Abusing It Physically Or Sexually When Your Not there.
(And Might Have Somach Problems/other Problems as a Result.)
(And Needless To Say It'd Be Afraid To Come In From That)
Hope This Helps
2006-08-31 03:09:33 · answer #2 · answered by Spaghetti MY 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have 5 cats. MOST of them will cry and cry at the door if we try to keep them inside. They just prefer the outdoors.
You MUST remember, it is summer. Animals will eat less and lose weight when the weather is hot. We live in South Louisiana, and MY animals (I also have 4 dogs) go through this every year.
As far as the patches of missing hair goes, it could just be a flea allergy. I have gone through this with several of MY cats too. Usually, the Vet just gives them a cortisone shot and all goes back to normal.
Don't freak yourself out too much. It doesn't sound to ME like a serious matter.
2006-08-31 06:14:28 · answer #3 · answered by Renee D 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the paches of hair missing is probley from the hanky panky hes been doing somtimes girl cats can become confused when there in heat and thay try the mail cats role my femail cats do that i have all house cats i think and im not a vet but unless hes fixed hes just tomcaten and its normal he will probly be hard to find sometimes sometimes for days i would bring him in and have him fixed right away besides the poor kittens that may be born farel becouse of this he could contract feline hiv or feline lukemea there are so many disesas that cats can catch from each uther its unreal please bring him in and get him sniped the loss of apitite and whaght also happens when thay are hunting the girl cats sex is all thay have on there minds not food
2006-08-31 03:19:30 · answer #4 · answered by letta g 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, I don't have veterinary experience, but maybe I can provide help. The patches of fur missing could possibly be from fighting with another cat while he's out. Also, is he fixed? If not, he could be in heat and found himself a girlfriend and could be eating elsewhere. We had a cat that would eat elsewhere once. The losing weight thing, I'm not sure what that could be. Your absolute best bet would be a real vet. Let us know how he is when you take him!!
2006-08-31 03:15:14 · answer #5 · answered by april22703 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I had a cat, he was 20 yrs old....He suddenly started staying outside all the time n not wanting to come in...then he went missing for 3 month, when he returned he had lost lots of weight, his fur was thinning, n he wasnt eating or drinking as usual...I took him to the vet that day, n it turned out he had kidney failure n was dehydrated due to lack of food n water. Unfortuately I had to have my cat put to sleep, cuz he was too bad, n too old. So I think you really need toget him with a vet ASAP.
2006-09-03 15:37:20 · answer #6 · answered by Donna S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not a vet, but I know that if my cat were acting like that, I won't wait and take him to the vet soon. But before that, I'll try to keep him inside. Or at least put some food for him oustide.
2006-08-31 03:15:13 · answer #7 · answered by tokala 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It could be any number of feline diseases. I suggest you contact your nearest animal shelter and ask their help with the veterinary issue, explain the situation, tell them you're happy to pay it off but don't have the money up front and they should help you out.
2006-08-31 03:32:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I hope you are happy banishing him to the outside someplace a cat has no place being except for on a leash or in a cat cage enclosure. he probably has gotten attacked or caught a disease from another cat or could be injured. get the cat to the vet right now! if this was your child, you would say oh I'll take him to the doctors when ever I can.
Irresponsible pet owner!
2006-08-31 03:15:33 · answer #9 · answered by catloverme123 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
cats do loose weight in the summerand prefer the out door life ,the hair loss could be hormonal,when a cat has been done they often get bald patches or he may have been fighting.
2006-08-31 03:42:33 · answer #10 · answered by dumplingmuffin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋