Cat owners - Advice Please
17 May 2014, 01:19 AM
#1
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Thread Starter
Cat owners - Advice Please
Hi guys,
I know there are a lot of cat haters out there - if you are one please jog onto another post.
For the rest of you, I have two cats, Laurel and Hardy. (Girl/Boy). Both are 14 years old. Laurel (Girl) is quite a bit overweight and has been for years. Hardy has always been a lean muscular lad.
Ali and have noticed in the last few months that he was losing a little bit of weight but nothing to worry about.
We have just returned from a few weeks away on holiday and Hardy is now severely skinny, he weighs next to nothing and I can feel his spine and ribs directly under his skin. We have a well trusted person (15 years of experience) who house sits for us and feeds all our animals and they are all fine, except Hardy.
I've done a quick google diagnosis and there are a number of possible causes.
Old age is one but laurel is the same age and is plump (she is more of a house cat)
Kidney disease is another
gum disease,
Stress is a possibility as there is a new cat in the hood that has taken Hardy's fave spot on top of the summer house. (I've sprayed water on it once to move it on)
Has anyone here had experience of a pet (Be it cat or dog) losing a lot of weight rapidly?
If you took them to a vet - what was the outcome / advice?
I'm hoping it's something simple to treat. He doesn't show any indication of pain when being picked up and purrs like crazy all the time. He IS drinking a lot of water, eats a lot and goes to the toilet frequently. Hmm. Perhaps worms?
I know there are a lot of cat haters out there - if you are one please jog onto another post.
For the rest of you, I have two cats, Laurel and Hardy. (Girl/Boy). Both are 14 years old. Laurel (Girl) is quite a bit overweight and has been for years. Hardy has always been a lean muscular lad.
Ali and have noticed in the last few months that he was losing a little bit of weight but nothing to worry about.
We have just returned from a few weeks away on holiday and Hardy is now severely skinny, he weighs next to nothing and I can feel his spine and ribs directly under his skin. We have a well trusted person (15 years of experience) who house sits for us and feeds all our animals and they are all fine, except Hardy.
I've done a quick google diagnosis and there are a number of possible causes.
Old age is one but laurel is the same age and is plump (she is more of a house cat)
Kidney disease is another
gum disease,
Stress is a possibility as there is a new cat in the hood that has taken Hardy's fave spot on top of the summer house. (I've sprayed water on it once to move it on)
Has anyone here had experience of a pet (Be it cat or dog) losing a lot of weight rapidly?
If you took them to a vet - what was the outcome / advice?
I'm hoping it's something simple to treat. He doesn't show any indication of pain when being picked up and purrs like crazy all the time. He IS drinking a lot of water, eats a lot and goes to the toilet frequently. Hmm. Perhaps worms?
17 May 2014, 01:56 AM
#2
Scooby Regular
Cat breeder here.
Older cats, like older humans, tend to suffer from wear and tear diseases such as renal failure, dementia, diabetes etc. These are best managed conservatively. Switching to a mature cat diet (e.g. Royal Canin senior formula) is the best thing to do, and making the house easier to live in is very much for the better - lower edges on cat trays, bedding on the floor, more bowls of water round the house etc etc. They may need help grooming and being supervised when going outside etc.
Unfortunately though weight loss can be a sign of something serious. I suspect in a cat that is otherwise bright eyed and content it is most likely an endocrine issue such as hyperthyroidism but older cats quite commonly develop cancer, especially thoroughbred pedigrees.
A trip to the vet might reveal a disorder but the question really is that if something is diagnosed, how hard is the vet going to try to treat the condition? Sometimes it is best to have a happy and healthy cat living happily in old age rather than one on a demanding regimen of medication.
For peace of mind I'd make a trip to the vet and if there is a very simple treatment to go for it, but a pragmatic viewpoint is always better with an older animal unfortunately. 14 is a good innings but can go on a lot longer with a mild issue, and if it becomes serious then the unpleasant decision can always be taken when it needs to be and not ahead of time.
Older cats, like older humans, tend to suffer from wear and tear diseases such as renal failure, dementia, diabetes etc. These are best managed conservatively. Switching to a mature cat diet (e.g. Royal Canin senior formula) is the best thing to do, and making the house easier to live in is very much for the better - lower edges on cat trays, bedding on the floor, more bowls of water round the house etc etc. They may need help grooming and being supervised when going outside etc.
Unfortunately though weight loss can be a sign of something serious. I suspect in a cat that is otherwise bright eyed and content it is most likely an endocrine issue such as hyperthyroidism but older cats quite commonly develop cancer, especially thoroughbred pedigrees.
A trip to the vet might reveal a disorder but the question really is that if something is diagnosed, how hard is the vet going to try to treat the condition? Sometimes it is best to have a happy and healthy cat living happily in old age rather than one on a demanding regimen of medication.
For peace of mind I'd make a trip to the vet and if there is a very simple treatment to go for it, but a pragmatic viewpoint is always better with an older animal unfortunately. 14 is a good innings but can go on a lot longer with a mild issue, and if it becomes serious then the unpleasant decision can always be taken when it needs to be and not ahead of time.
Last edited by thenewgalaxy; 17 May 2014 at 01:58 AM.
17 May 2014, 02:24 AM
#3
Scooby Senior
Thread Starter
Thanks TNG. I had switched the cat food to Purina Gourmet Fishermans Delight as they both seem to love it (As does Max the dog!). I will try your suggestion of Royal Canin Senior formula for the cats and will see if I can get an appointment at the vets this weekend.
17 May 2014, 08:06 AM
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Hi jods,
One other thing to add to the above to look out for is to see whether or not he is eating properly. My 10 yo male cat appeared to be eating fine until I really watched and realised how slowly and how little he was actually eating.... you don't really notice when you have a few cats as the food keeps disappearing, it's not until you watch that you realise one is not eating as much as normal.
In the case of my cat he had a mouth abcess behind the jaw on the left of his mouth that you couldn't see until you really looked (and as you know sticking your fingers in a cat's mouth is both brave and foolhardy at the same time
). The abcess came via a cracked tooth so some anti-biotics and the tooth out fixed him.
He had lost 20% of his weight over a few months, but is now back up to 5.5kg again and is eating like a small horse!
So watch when he eats and see if he is struggling at all as he just may have a mouth issue. If not then you can eliminate that.
One other thing to add to the above to look out for is to see whether or not he is eating properly. My 10 yo male cat appeared to be eating fine until I really watched and realised how slowly and how little he was actually eating.... you don't really notice when you have a few cats as the food keeps disappearing, it's not until you watch that you realise one is not eating as much as normal.
In the case of my cat he had a mouth abcess behind the jaw on the left of his mouth that you couldn't see until you really looked (and as you know sticking your fingers in a cat's mouth is both brave and foolhardy at the same time
). The abcess came via a cracked tooth so some anti-biotics and the tooth out fixed him.He had lost 20% of his weight over a few months, but is now back up to 5.5kg again and is eating like a small horse!
So watch when he eats and see if he is struggling at all as he just may have a mouth issue. If not then you can eliminate that.
17 May 2014, 08:46 AM
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Get to the Vet ASAP.
Excessive drinking/toileting can be kidney failure or diabetes, both treatable.
Our old fella's diabetes was spotted by his excessive drinking habit, he was treated for it for nearly ten years (and had a very good quality of life) before we had to have him put to sleep aged 23 for an unrelated problem!
Excessive drinking/toileting can be kidney failure or diabetes, both treatable.
Our old fella's diabetes was spotted by his excessive drinking habit, he was treated for it for nearly ten years (and had a very good quality of life) before we had to have him put to sleep aged 23 for an unrelated problem!
17 May 2014, 10:31 AM
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Jods, loving the names of your cats. 
I heard of hyperthyroidism in cats only yesterday. An acquaintance's cat has it, and he's on a tablet a day for life. Rapid weight loss was his symptom despite eating sufficient food. TNG's post is very educative. Cat specialist, as I call him.
Chris, glad your cat is better now. Jaw issues can't be ruled out for slow food intake. My cat last year was hit on her pelvis and her jaw. Eating a teaspoon full of food was an hour's task for her when she was recovering. I fed her with my hands that time, and even had to give water to drink with a dropper and spoon. At 5.5kg yours must be a slim cat. My slim cat is 5.5kg while the big cat is now 7.5 kg. Quite agile, active and loves his food. Vet says he's just a large cat. The only issue he has always had is that sometimes he gets frightened of climbing back down from high places, gets stuck and then cries. It has only happened about two times in his 7 years of his life until now, but it seems weird. Once it was a house roof, and second time it was a tree where he pranced helplessly back and forth with his faint but repeated meows for help. he'd come to the edge, looks down to dare, but just wouldn't take a leap down. It's like a psychological reservation that kicks off for him sometimes. He was rescued on both occasions with the neighbours' help, but I do worry for him when he's out.
Qwertyco is right. I'd take Hardy to the animal hospital to get him looked at. Hope he gets better soon.
I heard of hyperthyroidism in cats only yesterday. An acquaintance's cat has it, and he's on a tablet a day for life. Rapid weight loss was his symptom despite eating sufficient food. TNG's post is very educative. Cat specialist, as I call him.
Chris, glad your cat is better now. Jaw issues can't be ruled out for slow food intake. My cat last year was hit on her pelvis and her jaw. Eating a teaspoon full of food was an hour's task for her when she was recovering. I fed her with my hands that time, and even had to give water to drink with a dropper and spoon. At 5.5kg yours must be a slim cat. My slim cat is 5.5kg while the big cat is now 7.5 kg. Quite agile, active and loves his food. Vet says he's just a large cat. The only issue he has always had is that sometimes he gets frightened of climbing back down from high places, gets stuck and then cries. It has only happened about two times in his 7 years of his life until now, but it seems weird. Once it was a house roof, and second time it was a tree where he pranced helplessly back and forth with his faint but repeated meows for help. he'd come to the edge, looks down to dare, but just wouldn't take a leap down. It's like a psychological reservation that kicks off for him sometimes. He was rescued on both occasions with the neighbours' help, but I do worry for him when he's out.
Qwertyco is right. I'd take Hardy to the animal hospital to get him looked at. Hope he gets better soon.
17 May 2014, 01:03 PM
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Poor thing and it must be a worry for you. Take to the Vets please. My money would be on a kidney problem but it could be something as basic as a painful tooth abscess which causes too much pain when cat is feeding. Best of luck.
PS. I don't like cats especially but feel sorry for any animal that is unwell.
dl
PS. I don't like cats especially but feel sorry for any animal that is unwell.
dl
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17 May 2014, 10:28 PM
#11
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Thread Starter
It's 10:30 pm and he's not home. :-(
He's normally back by now, I have walked the local area and checked my shed etc but no sign of him yet.
Will see if he turns up in the morning. He has often wandered off for a day or two but that was a few years ago.
Will let you know in a day or two.
He's normally back by now, I have walked the local area and checked my shed etc but no sign of him yet.
Will see if he turns up in the morning. He has often wandered off for a day or two but that was a few years ago.
Will let you know in a day or two.
17 May 2014, 11:35 PM
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18 May 2014, 08:22 PM
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:-(. Hardy was found this morning. He was found in a close neighbours garden. We have laid him to rest under one of his favourite places to sit and watch the birds, and largely ignore them :-). RIP Hardy Bean. xxx
18 May 2014, 11:51 PM
#20
Scooby Regular
Losing a pet is sometimes like losing a family member. Something non pet owners or those that aren't close to theirs cannot understand, especially with intelligent and giving animals like cats and dogs.
RIP Hardy and sorry for your loss Jods.
RIP Hardy and sorry for your loss Jods.
19 May 2014, 12:51 PM
#23
Scooby Regular
Sorry to hear of your loss jods 
At least he chose his time to go. We had to have one of ours put to sleep last year, it was without question the hardest decision I've ever had to make
At least he chose his time to go. We had to have one of ours put to sleep last year, it was without question the hardest decision I've ever had to make
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