Could anyone please tell me what could be wrong with my tom cat? He use to be a big cat, not fat, but a lot bigger than he is now. He is just like skin & bones... He acts ok though.... Any answers will be great... Afraid to take him to the vet - afraid they will tell me I need to put him down & he seems ok, just too skinny!!
2006-12-13 06:08:31 · 12 answers · asked by LeAnne H 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
I work at a cats-only vet clinic...but I'm not a Vet, but you should take him in. If you have the option to go to a cat clinic, that would be a good idea...sometimes they treat cats like small dogs at vet clinics.
Is he old? Is he peeing a lot? We see a lot of diabetic cats...lots of kidney failure. Is he eating well? If he hasn't been eating, that can cause his kidneys to go, so he needs to go in ASAP. They can check his blood chemistry, and that can reveal a lot. If he's losing weight, but otherwise happy, there is probably something treatable if you're willing to do the testing, etc. that would be needed to isolate the problem. Also, how are his teeth? If they're hurting, he might not want to be eating...
Plus, if he's still a tom, as in not neutered, you should get him neutered. They often gain weight once their testicles are removed--presumably because they aren't expending the energy needed for the upkeep of their gonads.
2006-12-13 06:14:43 · answer #1 · answered by callthedog 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Taking him to the vet just may be your best vet. If they do tell you to put him down, it's still up to you. At least then you'd know what is wrong with him. It may be something easily addressed. Have you changed his food lately? Has he become more active? Another thing to consider: if food becomes sparse for a cat (like maybe if he ran away for a bit) sometimes they will not eat much for awhile after that, even when food is provided abundantly. They are said to have become anorexic. This may not describe you pet at all. Your best bet is to take him to the vet.
2006-12-13 06:16:37 · answer #2 · answered by Scottie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take your cat to the vet anyway. He might just have a virus that can be gotten rid of but you need to get that checked out to make sure.
If the vet tells you you need to put him down, then put him down. I don't mean to sound harsh about that, believe me. That would just be the best thing for him. I'm a huge cat lover myself and had 5 at one time so I know the fear there of the vet suggesting euthanasia.
2006-12-13 06:15:13 · answer #3 · answered by laurajustice33613 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you cat needs to go to the vet, it could be a number of things, worms, and a long list of others. Animals are good at hiding their illness. If you don't take him, I don't think you'll have to worry about putting him down, he will die on his own. Cats and dogs need a physical every year just like people, or more often if they're sick.
2006-12-13 06:14:27 · answer #4 · answered by bobbie v 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Does he eat normally yet still seems to be losing weight? Has he been drinking more and the litter box seems wetter? Yes, then it could be diabetes.
If you're doing all the same things and he's eating just as much as before and still losing weight, you'll have to take him to the vet. Putting your fears aside for bad news and just take him is the best thing for him.
2006-12-13 06:24:24 · answer #5 · answered by BVC_asst 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably just a good case of worms. See any evidence of that? Drontal cleans cats and dogs right up but must be gotten thru a vet.
2006-12-13 06:12:35 · answer #6 · answered by tarro 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He needs to go to vet. If you are afraid they'll say put him down would you rather just let him suffer? Take your kitty to vet it could just be his food or metabolism. Anything is better than not knowing....Good luck!
2006-12-13 06:12:56 · answer #7 · answered by ♥Pretty♥ ♥Kitty♥ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hopefully its just worms.. but sounds like something more serious like Diabetes.. Take your cat to the Vet a.s.a.p.
2006-12-13 07:21:20 · answer #8 · answered by Wicked 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I work @ an animal hospital. Take him in & have some blood work done, something that hasn't been mentioned is that he could also possibly have a thyroid problem. But definatly take him in. He needs to be seen & treated.
2006-12-13 07:05:58 · answer #9 · answered by KATHY 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could be he's out tomcating around chasing Female kitties and fighting with other Tom cats.
Or
Worms...
2006-12-13 06:16:51 · answer #10 · answered by Scott 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋