Can someone help me figure out what's wrong with my cat?

Question

Please read the whole question so that you don't accidentally answer with something I already mentioned. >.<

My mom's friend's cat has been sick for a while, but she hasn't had an opportunity to take him to the vet with the urine sample he told her to get. His symptoms are weight loss, major loss of fur but no itchiness or redness, no change in apetite or how much water he drinks, no odd behavior. I've looked into it myself, and all I've been able to come up with is Feline Endocrine Alopecia, but the only symptom I could find was the hair loss, not the weight loss. He used to be plump, but now he's skinny and bony...At first we thought it was Diabetes but he isn't drinking a lot and there's no change in how much he uses the litter box. He's a neutered male by the way, and around 5-7 years old I think (we don't really know, he was adopted).

Does anyone have any idea as to what it is?

Answer 1

It could be kidney problems, they cause weight loss, but there usually would be a change in appetite. This might be why the vet asked for a urine sample, but he needs to take a blood sample, too, very important. It could also be hyoerthyroidism, which would cause weight loss without changing food, water, or litter habits. Neither of these would really explain the hair loss, but it could be from stress.

Answer 2

Is he more active? The fur loss and weight loss thing make me think that it could be hyperthyroidism although he is a little on the young side. The unfortunate thing here is that a lot of diseases have so many similar symptoms, so it could also be diabetes. Have you also considered the possibility that he has worms?
Best bet, get him to the vet and if your friend continues to have problems getting a urine sample tell her to find a litter called "no sorb" it allows for the owner to get a urine sample. The vet should be able to get some in or know where to get it.

Answer 3

first, a few questions: does the cat appear to strain when he is at the litter box? is he peeing in places other than his litterbox? is some of his urine pinkish (as though tainted with little bits of blood)?
if you answered yes to most of these questions, i would think that maybe he has FLUTD, which is basically kitty kidney stones (actually, their crystals...there's different reasons why they form, only the vet can say what it is) it is very important she gets her cat to the vet right away!! even with out the urine smaple. the vet can take a sample from the cat, as much as the cat will hate it. my cat was recently diagnosed with it, adn it's been very sad. i actually asked a question about what was wrong with him. the link is here. (the anwer contains information about FLUTD, but i'd stil look some more info on the net)
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ArUEV9RBbYc0A128dATgXCvty6IX?qid=20061110155154AA9NNiH
i hope he's ok!!! FLUTD is very common in neutered males btw..that's why i though of it, and the fact that he's not drinking as much and losing weight...not sure about the fur though...it may be a reaction to a change in his environment. a new pet, a new home, baby, etc.

Answer 4

Yes hair loss is a symptoms of Hyperthyroid. Not sure why the vet tech before said it was not. The weight loss and the hair loss is tail tail symptoms of thyroid imbalance. Usually they have increase in appetite also but if he does not that would explain the huge weight loss they can usually hide the increased metabolism and weight loss by eating more in the beginning. But evetually they can not get enough to eat and begin to loss weight. Might want to do T4 or TSH blood test.

Answer 5

These symptoms sound like what my little male went thru--turned out it was his kidneys. The vet will probably want a stool sample (good luck)---the one I took in was covered w/litter, but worked fine. I can't imagine a vet asking for a urine sample, how in the world would you go about getting one??? Anyway, he was put on antibiotic liquid and I hydrated him (supplies from vet), he started feeling better almost immediately. Good luck---keep us posted!!!

Answer 6

Did he have a blood test for urea and creatinine (renal function)? Does he pee properly? If the vet suggested a urine test, maybe it has to do with urinarytract infection or crystals and blockage of the urethra. I don't know about the fur loss though, funghi perhaps?

Answer 7

It sounds like the kitty might have a thyroid problem. Usually when they have this problem they lose a lot of weight( even if they eat) their coat looks really icky, because when they are sick they don't want to groom themselves. Also it might be food alergies.. try him on Hypoalergenic food and ask the doctor for a steroid shot, so his skin isnt ichy and he can grow his fur back..

Answer 8

i might take her to the vet and have her regarded at. She is aging so it must be from that, only as in people. I had a cat that had to have tooth extracted, and he became left with in basic terms 3 tooth in his mouth! he's 17 years old. there must be an infection interior the tooth/gums it incredibly is inflicting the swollen eye.

Answer 9

thyroid, kidney disease-I would strongly recommend that the pet see his vet for bloodwork and to get a urine sample for analysis. Most vets offices can obtain a urine while the pet is there rather than the owner trying to obtain one at home. Please see the vet. Good Luck.

Answer 10

She hasnt had the "opportunity" to take her cat to the vet???!! SHAME!!!

PLEEEASE take this cat to the vet-- if it was a child who was sick that cat's human would have taken the child to the doctor IMMEDIATELY. As it is now she is letting her cat SUFFER needlessly!!

In many places, what she is doing to her sick cat is called "Animal Abuse" - she is letting that cat SUFFER needlessly when all she has to do is take the cat to the Vet !

BTW-- the VET can easily get a urine sample from that cat too, when the cat is at the vet's!!!

Please convince her to take that cat to the vet -- STAT!