I have a cat at home - he's about 6 years old (I'm at college) and he's been exhibiting some strange symptoms. For one, he's lost about a pound and a half, but he still seems to have a good appetite. Another thing, we just brought him back from my Dad's house to live with us (and two other cats). And we noticed that he's been spraying on clothes left out in the bathroom. The litter boxes are kept clean, but this doesn't seem to help and our veterinarian has taken blood tests for kidney and thyroid problems - both came back negative. His urine tested positive for microscopic blood, but she does not think this is the cause. I don't know if this could be realated to fleas or ticks- both him and his brother were given medicine to take care of it before we brought them home. Serious answers please! I need to find out what's wrong ASAP!!!
2006-12-02 17:01:35 · 6 answers · asked by On a Mission 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
I'm more worried about why he is losing weight, but yet still has a good appetite. He's skinny.
2006-12-02 17:12:40 · update #1
Dusky is a long-haired gray cat (mixed). He has been nuetered and the vet has done a urinary tract infection test, which came back negative.
2006-12-02 17:31:48 · update #2
i need to ask u a qn in return. wat is problem u think ur cat has..?
is it the spraying or the weight loss?
is ur cat m/f? desexed?
from the spraying, i would conclude that it is a tom cat.
spraying can be due to a few reasons.. one, marking territory.two, very common, urinary tract infection. they cant control their bladders and hence let go whereever they are.
weight loss despite a ravenous or normal appetite can only mean a few probs.. endocrine disorders, or pancreatitis.
the vet u consulted may have had some good differentials..but blood tests alone would not be conclusive. he will require urine test, other organ function test. faecal exams..and others..
i cant really give u a diagnosis without test results, but the differentials would be endocrine disorders, pancreatic dz, Lower URI,
Nope, it is not related to parasites.. fleas do not cause significant weight loss in adults, but will cause anemias in kittens or puppies with heavy burdens. Ticks... heheh... similar... not much weight loss..it wouldnt cause spraying either.. juz sucks blood..
dont know the prevalence of paralysis ticks in singapore though.. but in the case u hav described, ur cat wouldnt be infested...
need to get a vet to check it out. ur vet is not working hard enuff
losing weight despite good appetite...
reasons, ur cat is eating well, but the worms in the intestines are competing for nutrients.
pancreatitis, insufficient enzymes produced by prancreas to digest the ingested food. there fore the food is effectively wasted.
bacterial gastro enteritis...or giardia infections...
intestinal villi unable to absorb nutrients due to bacterial or protozoal infections....
email me if u wan details...juz briefly stated
endocrine disorders, cushings or hyperadrenocorticism
cause catabolism of muscles and tissues, characterised by weight loss.. but most have pot belly due to decrease tone of abdominal muscles...
heaps more...
so get ur vet to check it out
i feel firm that dusky has a URI. neutered cats DO NOT SPRAY!!!
they only urinate all over the place when there is infections. cannot control.. have u ever had a URI? if u had u would understand the feeling...
dusky should be tested again.. not with bllod but with urine samples and samples direct from the bladder... ur vet should know that.
testing negative that time doesnt mean he doesnt have and infection. it takes time for diagnostic parameters to be present in test samples.
2006-12-02 17:23:37 · answer #1 · answered by nicholas W 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Spraying is more behavioral than medical. Since a vet has checked him out he is probably OK in that department.
Three cats now - litterbox rule is # of cats +1. Are there that many boxes? If the litterboxes are much over a year old they should be replaced with new ones. The plastic boxes collect odors detectable to the cat and not humans even if they are washed regularly and well so that humans feel they are "fresh and clean".
It sounds to me like he may just be marking territory for dominance or just to make his presence known to the other cats in that particular cat way.
It wouldn't be related to ticks or fleas.
2006-12-03 01:09:04 · answer #2 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He sounds extremely unhappy in his new environment and with his new room mates. He may adjust in a while. Have him neutered if he's not already. The weight loss indicates distress or disease, You may need to ask another vet. Each one see's the problem differently. You may need to send him back to your Dad's if he was happy there.
2006-12-03 01:09:31 · answer #3 · answered by character 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well if he has a good appetite and is still losing weight i would check him for worms... bring a fecal sample to your vet and they can check. as far as spraying goes... if it isn't a medical problem it is most likey behavioural and the best person for help is your vet :)
2006-12-03 02:25:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
he's spraying to establish his territory all cats do this to establish dominance and turf as for his medical problems maybe its worms try another vet for a second opinion,also there is a person here on line named seattle who seems to know alot about cats find this person maybe he/she can help,this person has thoroughly answered my questions,SEATTLE witha picture of a cat just look youll find it
2006-12-03 01:13:17 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it probably has worms or is sick
2006-12-03 01:06:10 · answer #6 · answered by u are wierd 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋