my cat is losing weight rapidly what could be wrong?

Question

her eating habits have decreased,she is very tired and week

Answer 1

See a vet , it sounds serious.
Could be anything from a furball to feline leukaemia


Edit - I also hate saying take it to a vet but rapid weight loss in cats can be life threatening. I know.
I would hate to think my answer resulted in someone NOT seeing a vet when it was needed.



Cat rescue - 13 current residents

Answer 2

Well, you don't say how old the cat is, which would be a BIG help.

Has she been vaccinated regularly?

If she's over 4-5 years old, the weight loss could be due to a thyroid condition (extremely common in cats) that should be treated right wawy.

You need to get her to a vet's as this could be a sign of disease and the sooner she's treated the easier and more likely it'll be fixed.

Could be fatal. Get there soon.

Answer 3

You didn't say how old your cat is and the differentials for weight loss do vary some according to age.

Young kittens with rapid weight loss:

parasitism, feline infectious peritonitis, feline leukemia virus, congenital defects involving the liver or kidneys, malaborption or maldigestion syndromes (not enough digestive enzymes for instance)

Young adult cats with rapid weight loss:

cardiomyopathy (more common in male cats), feline leukemia virus, feline immunodeficiency virus, feline infectious peritonitis, hepatic lipidosis (usually secondary to some other illness), diabetes, kidney or liver disease other than hepatic lipidosis, cancer, other systemic illnesses, parasitism

rapid weight loss in older cats:

cardiomyopathy (usually eating less), diabetes (appetite variable), hyperthyroidism (eating a lot and losing weight anyway), kidney failure (appetite variable), cancer (usually eating less), feline leukemia, feline immunodeficiency virus, feline infectious peritonitis, other systemic illness

Your vet will sort through these possibilities, I'm sure. In many cases it is easy to eliminate a number of the possibilities with a good physical exam and history. Some testing is usually necessary to confirm or rule out the other possible problems.

I would be very concerned about diabetes, kidney disease and liver disease,
especially hepatic lipidosis, with the signs you are seeing. I can't help you with treating
her at home because all of the problems I can think of are pretty serious and require
a veterinarian's assistance. Please have her examined by your vet.

In a male cat of this age the two things I would worry about most with rapid weight loss would be cardiomyopathy and feline leukemia. Feline immunodeficiency virus is a possible problem as well. After that there are all sorts of possible problems, as you suspect. Ruling out parasites, inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal lymphoma, kidney and liver disease, etc. are all necessary.
It is very important that cats continue to eat when weight loss is occurring
for some reason. If they stop, sometimes even for short periods of time, they
can develop a liver disorder (hepatic lipidosis) which is a serious problem.
The following things help to stimulate appetite without the use of medications:

Answer 4

Hi! You don't give much info. Is your cat drinking rivers and filling the litter box full to over flowing? Is she eating like a lumber jack and still losing? Diabetes.
Please if your vet says Diabetes come to www.felinediabetes.com There are 4000 + members and we work hard to get your cat regulated and diet controlled. We encourage you to work with your vet and learn from us. We have so much information.
For good diets for your cat even it she is not diabetic please read: http://catinfo.org/
Then go and find a wet food high in protein and under 10% carbs and not fish. http://www.geocities.com/jmpeerson/canfood.html
fish is high in phosphorus and not enough nutrients. You can give 1 or 2 meals a week but never more.
Please contact me if I can help you. Your baby needs to see a vet ASAP

Answer 5

Diabetes? Thyroid? Renal Failure?

Time for a vet appointment and don't wait much longer or you won't have a live cat for them to look over.

Answer 6

I really hate those broad based answers of *take it to the vet* but in your case she should go and get evaluated.

Anytime that a cat looses their appetite is cause for concern. If they get too sick all they want to do is die.

A vet visit will get you the answers that you want. This board cannot help you

Answer 7

She could have dental trouble and unable to eat her food, could be worms, it could be anything.

Please take her to the vet. If you do not have the money call around, you can find a vet that will make payment arrangements with you.

Answer 8

replace a wrap with two low carb whole wheat slices of bread

Answer 9

what did the vet say, I would follow what he/she says. because I'm sure that you have already taken her because it would be abuse not to.

Answer 10

walk around your home yard or neighborhood while on the phone