His appetite has increased dramatically over the last month and he does not appear to be gaining any weight (it is scary). All his other habits appear normal. Has anyone else experienced this? Thanks, Dee
2007-12-23 07:40:45 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
I would go to your local vet RIGHT AWAY!
I haven't seen this but I would think it would be scary.
The vet will probably fix it.
The puss might have worms though.
But I would go to the vet.
Hope you cat gets better.
2007-12-23 07:47:02 · answer #1 · answered by Chester11 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I suggest that you take your cat in to the vet for an exam and some blood work.....2 diseases of older cats that come to mind with your description...first is diabetes, increased food and water drinking but unable to gain weight. The next is hyperthyroidism.....thyroid hormone is a stimulant to the system, cats usually eat and drink alot and loose weight. If there is also an increased in urination I would think diabetes, but kidney disease should not be ruled out. If your cat is restless, constantly pacing, I would think the hyperthyroid disease......both will be diagnosed or ruled out by doing basic blood work (blood chemisty and cbc)......
Good luck with you kitty, both of the diseases are manageable when caught early.
2007-12-23 17:29:42 · answer #2 · answered by lt4827 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes dee i have, and it was kidney failure in my cats case i'm sorry to say. Please don't panic though and think that your cat is the last stages of its life because it needn't be like that with the proper medication and care! My old girl was 19 when she first began eating like it was going out of fashion and wolfing her food down like someone was going to nick it but in every other aspect of her life she was completely normal! I took her to the vet who kept her in for blood tests and scans etc and it was found that her kidney s were failing and that her liver wasn't far behind it! She was given some injections and a course of tablets and she perked up no end although her food intake only subsided a little - she'd eat me out of house and home bless her! Her life carried on as it was until she had a stroke at 21 and in the next 14 months she had 24 hour care ( hard work but she deserved it! ) and she finally went upstairs to her eternal bed at the grand old age of 23! So you see, kidney failure doesn't mean a death sentence, he can carry on with the correct medical treatment! Good luck and i hope you both have a lovely Christmas x
2007-12-23 16:26:44 · answer #3 · answered by misstraceyrick 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
He has increased his eating, but is not gaining weight? Sounds like good news to me. It is not so much his habits you need to worry about, but have you looked into his eyes to see if there has been a change? Are they bright? Nose black and wet. His coat in good condition? These are the signs that tell you whether the cat has a problem you need to worry about. No sudden growths or loss of hair? Checked the stool and urine ok? You may think he always wees outside, but cats pee up the wall and the furniture, more often than you care to know. Few people realise this, because they just spray a few drops. Check the side of the bin in the kitchen and check if the urine smells different than usual. Worms is a possibility and easily resolved. Either get Drontal or give him crushed sunflower seeds if you feed him holistically or alternatively.
At this age cats, dogs and humans go through funny stages that need not always have an underlying infection of a kind. It may just be one of those things. Of course if you are very worried, there is always the vet to consult.
2007-12-23 15:58:18 · answer #4 · answered by Mercia Holistic Whisperer 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
My 12 yr old male cat did that in August of '06. I took him to the vet, had blood test run (sent off to lab) and he came back DIABETIC!! He's been on insulin every 12 hours since then, and he lost more weight before starting to gain it back. The diabetes still isn't COMPLETELY under control, but he's back up to his "pre-diabetic" weight, and doing well. So...my advice?........Take him to your vet ASAP and ask that a "fructosamine" test be done, to check for sugar levels. He probably should have a complete workup, in case something else is the cause. Hope this helps, and didn't scare you too much. Good luck.........
2007-12-23 15:50:15 · answer #5 · answered by brutusmom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Classic signs of hyperthyroidism - very common in older cats. They get a ravenous appetite but they still lose weight.
Please take your cat to a vet. This condition must be treated (and it can be with tablets) because it ends up affecting the heart. Note I am NOT making a diagnosis, just giving a possibility. Clearly the cat has a problem though, not surprising for one that age. Please take him to a vet!
Chalice
2007-12-23 16:27:12 · answer #6 · answered by Chalice 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ken is right. My cat Kinsey was just diagnosed and treated for hyperthyroidism this spring and is doing fine with his medication. Your cat's symptoms are classic for it.
Your vet needs to run a blood panel and "free T-4" to determine the level of hormone excretion and to start him on a medication. Do that as soon as you can. It can take a month or so to get things properly regulated and your cat will be feeling much better soon.
2007-12-23 16:16:24 · answer #7 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you (and most people on here who ask if they should bring their pet to the vet) need to start acting like the pet is your baby.
If something was wrong with your baby, would you wait a few weeks to bring him/her to the doctor? i would hope not.
and you shouldn't do the same thing to a pet. So what if it costs money? you should have known that when you got the pet. So what if you spend the money and NOTHING is wrong? you now have peace of mind. What if you did NOT spend the money and bring your pet to the vet and he/she dies? Then what? You'll regret it.
Treat your pet like a baby. Spend money on him/her. Don't wait to bring him/her to the vet. JUST DO IT.
(not meant as a personal attack, just frustrated at how many people on here WAIT for us to respond (weeks later) to bring their pet in or not and its frustrating.)
2007-12-23 17:54:49 · answer #8 · answered by twinklette.doombunny 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would stronly recommend that your cat be examined by his veterinarian, he could have a couple of different things going on, but only your vet will know. Good Luck.
2007-12-23 19:18:38 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like hyperthyroid. Happens to many older cats.
2007-12-23 18:22:41 · answer #10 · answered by thezaylady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
16 is pretty old for a cat. thats usually the age where they stop being cute and start getting senile haha. we had a cat that was 22 years old, and it was just gross. the poor thing.
2007-12-23 17:57:25 · answer #11 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋