Eliot - How thin is too thin??

[sirrahbed]

Our Eliot has always been a very active and very thin cat. Lately, we are starting to be concerned that he is too thin. He acts like he always does - very active. We see him eating, drinking and using his litter box. He does not eat any treats and never has.

His ribs and bones are easily felt through his fur - in fact - on close examination, he really has very little muscle.

He will go to the vet for a check-up tomorrow - November 18th. Everytime I start to make him an apointment - I change my mind and decide I am being too neurotic. Now I feel worried.

All of our cats had blood testing as babies, have had their vaccinations and seem to be very healthy....except for Eliot looking so thin. He is almost three years old.

So, how thin is too thin?? :rolleyes:

About six months ago...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v170/sirrahbed/more%20kitties%202005/Im000561.gif
Recent....
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid158/p07fd89b100b776c11184c97332024d0a/f522042e.jpg

[Kirsten]

Hard to tell, I think. When Lily was younger, she used to be somewhat skinny, you could even feel her breastbone and her spine. Now she has gained a little more weight.

When I read about Eliot, I thought that hyerthyreoidism might be an option. As you probably know, it's not a rare thing in cats. But let's wait for what your vet says, maybe Eliot is just fine the way he is! :)

Best wishes to him,
Kirsten

[Jessika]

I woulsd wait to see what your vet says, but typically when my cats or pups started getting thin and I could rule out the possibility of a parasite or worms, I would just feed them a little more :)

[Grace]

Have you weighed him recently?

[catland]

One guideline that I once read was "if you can feel the ribs but not see the ribs, then the weight is ok".

Cat weight can vary so much by breed. If Elliot has some siamese/oriental shorthair in him, then he will always be a naturally thin cat.

I know that neurotic feeling sometimes regarding vet visits. But I usually find that my peace of mind is worth the cost.

Good luck to you and Elliot.

[Barbara]

In the pictures he looks like a healthy and slim young cat. No pouch. What does he weigh? Anything between 7 and 15 can be normal depending on how big he is. Only very big cats should weigh more. Have you looked at him from above when he walks. His sides can rather be concave, not convexe ;)

[Laura's Babies]

His background could have left him with the genes to be skinny. Then, I don't believe Samantha will ever be a fat cat due to how starved she was most of her life, up until I got her.

BUT, I would bring it up at the vets and if he is holding his own and not loosing any, I wouldn't worry.

[may51380]

My sister has cat that looks just like Eliot, her name is Destiny and she has always been thin too. She weighs about 5 1/2 - 6 lbs. Her vet said that she is healthy, some cats are just smaller than others. My Lulu is very tiny too - couldn't tell by looking, all that fur is decieving. Hope everything goes well at the vets.

Janine
Beth
Lulu
Joey

[Alycat]

I had the same concern with my 7 month old Abigayle. She is a siamese mix. When I took her to the vet this week to get fixed, I asked about her weight. She is 5 lbs 4 ounces. The vet said that was normal for a siamese cat. She said she was healthy and as long as she eats well there is no reason to be concerned.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y294/alycat64/abigayle9-22-05.jpg

[catmandu]

As the Previous threads have said Some Cats are going to be on the thin side.
My Precious,Diane,and Rocca are all about 7 Pounds.
You could try Eliot on some Kitten Food,to see if that helps.

[Cataholic]

Debbie,
Is there any news on Eliot?

[krazyaboutkatz]

Debbie, I think that he looks very healthy and like others have said he may have some siamese in him so he'll continue to be on the slender side. :)

My Sunny is an Aby mix so he'll always be slender and he's very healthy 5 year old. Starr is almost 8 months old and he still only weighs a little over 6lbs. The vet told me that this is normal for him. Hopefully Eliot is fine but a vet check up sure won't hurt him. Please keep us updated.

[shais_mom]

I wouldn't know anything about having a cat that's too thin. :eek: :rolleyes: ;)
I hope Eliot had a good visit with the vet.
{{hugs}}

[jenluckenbach]

Elliot sounds like Jasper. My vet says "Some cats LIVE to eat while others eat to live." (just like people).

It always pays to be CERTAIN and visiting the vet is a fine idea, but try not to worry so much, it may just be his genes.

[catfamily]

My Marshall is just like Eliot.I was very concerned.Still am sometimes but the vet reassured me he's a bit thin but is fine.It may be from being bottlefed though.Some cats are just more active that others because of their metabolism.

[BitsyNaceyDog]

I hope everything went well with Elliot. I have a skinny cat too. My cat, Kitten, is a black cat that I swear has Russian Blue in his lineage. Everything about him screams Russian Blue- his slim, sleak body, the shape and look of his head, ears, etc., and he has the attitude of a Russian Blue. The only thing with Kitten that doesn't suggest Russian Blue is that his fur is BLACK! :D Oh, and every Russian Blue that I've met has the same meow as Kitten. :) Anyway, Russian Blues are thin cats by nature, my bet is that Elliot is that way too. (I know others have suggested that too.) I hope that's the case anyway.

[sirrahbed]

I wrote the date down wrong - today (Saturday) is Eliot's appointment. :rolleyes: I went back through his medical record and his last three visits were as follows: 9 pounds, 8.8 pounds, 8.2 pounds and this morning on our scale, he is about 7 pounds though that is not accurate I am sure. The appointment is at 11:45 today. I wish I had taken him earlier but did not want to be neurotic as usual.....am glad we are going in.

Thank you so much for the comments and I will update after we see the vet.

[catfamily]

Keep us updated.Losing 2 pounds is a lot I think.

[kimlovescats]

Like "us" people, most cat owners tend to let their kitties get overweight ... thinking that they are "fat and healthy" .... the feline is supposed to be slim and muscular, ribs easily felt, but not seen. However, if Eliot has continually lost weight at his visits, then a vet check is definitely in order.
Hoping for some positive news soon!

Hugs,
Kim

[catarius]

Glad you're taking him in. It's always best to get them checked out.
Scott

[Barbara]

I'm sorry he loses weight. 2 lb is quite a bit- hope it is nothing serious.

[jenluckenbach]

UPDATE????? :confused:

[sirrahbed]

Thank you so much for the comments, suggestions and folks concerned for Eliot. At the vet he was 8.2 ounces so only down one full pound but that is too much for one year. The vet checked him over really well and said that there are no outstanding indications of a potentially serious problem except for the weight loss - things like enlarged heart or thyroid, irregular heart sounds or breathing, or masses - things like that. His gums look healthy and evrything feels normal but still, a pound is too much to lose he thought - so I am really glad I brought him in. Our vet was cautious and concerned but not overly so...They drew blood to check thyroid, blood sugar and a bunch of panels and tests. I need to collect a stool and urine over the weekend and the blood results will be ready by Monday and they will call about what to do next. So, I guess this is all good news. Whew!

Eliot's fur is shedding more than normal and it feels rather coarse - like wool. Other than that - it is just that appearance of being too thin because he acts about like normal. really, the only change we notice is that he is more insistant for attention than normal but this is only since Boomer arrived and all of the kitties act a bit different with the new foster.

I will update again on Monday - hope I can write that Eliot is healthy but a bit thin. He IS a picky eater and always has been - can't be tempted with treats or wet food. Thanks!!

[Kirsten]

I'm glad that Eliot has seen the vet today! Let's hope his blood test results will come back negative; I'll keep my fingers crossed! Hopefully you'll get good news on Monday!

Keeping you and Eliot in my thoughts,
Kirsten

[jenluckenbach]

Prayers for a good blood test result.

[catfamily]

I'm glad he had all kinds of tests taken.That was a great thing to do.I hope he's fine.Maybe just uptight about something.Jealousy?God... my cats get so jealous of each other.They get upset so easy.Let's hope it's that instead of a health problem.

[Uabassoon]

Keeping my fingers crossed for good test results. But I also agree with some people that it could be genetic. My friend has two cats that are brothers and both are so thin, they eat well and are perfectly normal they just have very thin frames. However Corskcrew did offer to give Elliot one of his extra pounds if he wants it :D

[krazyaboutkatz]

Debbie, I'm so glad that you took him to the vet and had blood work done. Hopefully everything will be normal. :)

Does he play a lot with his younger siblings? If so, then maybe this is the reason why he's lost some weight. He may be getting more excerise than he did before you had them. Maybe he should start eating a food that's higher in calories. I know that even though my Sunny is 5 years old now, he also needs higher calories than his 3 year old brother Sky. I'll be praying for good news. Take care. :)

[smokey the elder]

It's interesting about his hair loss and change in coat texture. I know firsthand about changes in hair with thyroid condition in people; does the same thing happen in cats, I wonder?

Hopefully all the poking and prodding will lead to an answer!

[RedHedd]

The weight loss combined with the change in fur texture would give me cause for concern. I'm glad you took him in for testing. I hope it's nothing that can't be treated with perhaps a change in diet to improve his coat. I know you'll keep us updated.

[TopCat3]

I've only just caught up with this thread and send good wishes for Eliot and healthy blood test results.
My eldest Siamese, Cleo, has mild hyperthyroidism and has responded well to mild medication. I hope this isn't the case with Eliot but if it is, take heart. There is lots of info on the internet and I can help you find it should the need arise. Let's hope for Eliot's and your sake that it doesn't.
Keep us posted, won't you? ;)

[sirrahbed]

the vet's office is supposed to call me today about the blood test results. They are probably still busy doing surgeries.

I don't have his urine or stool samples yet either :rolleyes: We kept him alone in the bathroom last night - with a small litter box and some plastic pellets. He peed twice but the first one got soaked up by the bit of litter I added to let him know it was a litterbox....the 2nd time, it just gathered onto the plastic pellets.

Hmmmm......sure hope I can get those samples :eek: Eliot is in our bedroom and I have been watching TV with him - he is loving that one-on-one attention :D

[Kirsten]

Debbie, I know how hard it is to get urine samples! I need one from Luna, too, and still wasn't successful.

I keep my fingers crossed that you'll get good news from the vet!

Kirsten

[sirrahbed]

The vet called me back and says that Eliot's bloodwork is completely NORMAL. They did a "SuperChem" with bloodcount, thyroid, blood glucose, protein and multiple other tests. His theory is that having the babies here for the past year has made Eliot more active than ever and this is why the weight loss. He also said that some cats gain past kittenhood and then their weight stabilizes downward to their normal adult weight. His own youngest female cat also lost weight this past year. His notes about Eliot said that he appeared to be a sturdily built small cat. So - this is all GREAT news!! As far as the dry texture fur - I don't know what to think about that except that I have been looking too hard for a problem?? His fur does feel drier and coarser than the other five....Whatever - I am SOOO relieved that his tests were negative :D :D I still need to get the pee and poo samples but he did not go for me since this morning :rolleyes: I will get those another time - vet still wanted to check those when I could get the samples.

I am happy!! :D Thank you everyone for waiting with me :) Better safe than sorry. They will follow his weight for awhile.

Kirsten - I sure do not know a good way to get that urine sample!! With the others - I have in the past gotten samples just by watching for them to go to the box and holding a container under them. Eliot will not even enter the litterpan if anyone is watching. They gave me plastic pellets to put in a clean container but the one time he actually went on them, the urine just pooled under them and I could not get any liguid from around them. I will try again tomorrow and see how we do. Yes, I know that Luna has the bladder troubles and it must be VERY hard to get the sample if she is not going very much or is having bladder pains.

[kimlovescats]

GREAT NEWS DEBBIE!!!! :D See those babies have been a good exercise workout for Eliot! ;)

Is Eliot one that is maybe a bit more to himself? If so, then maybe he gets petted just a wee bit less than the others? This could very well make a difference in his coat ... more petting / body oils / silkier, shinier coat! ;)
I'm not trying to say (btw) that you don't pet him enough .... when you have several, and a life part-time too (lol) it's hard to always give everyone their equal share of "pets". Also some other kitties are more demanding and hog more than their share of the petting and stroking! :eek: I just know that when some of mine have had coarser, drier hair, and I started paying more attention and petting them more often, it seemed to really improve!

One of my recent rescues' former mom came by to see her and couldn't believe the different in her fur. I didn't know what else to tell her but that I pet her alot! :p

Kim

[Uabassoon]

Great news!

[krazyaboutkatz]

Debbie, This is wonderful news!!! :) My first thought was also that he was getting more excercise do to his younger siblings. I know that Storm's in much better shape due to his younger brothers and sister. :)

Will Eliot use the litter box if there isn't anything in it? If so then this would be the way to go. At my vets they put a needle in my cats bladder to extract the urine. This way I don't have to get a sample from home and it's also much fresher and more sanitary. Good luck.

[Barbara]

Ok Eliot, now we finally know it. You looked purrfectly healthy in your pics and now we know you are! Now please stay that way :)

[jenluckenbach]

Great news about Elliot's blood tests. :)

As for a urine sample......if you were given the plastic pellets that I had once, you actually just pour pellets and pee back into the container and take to the vet.

But I totally gave up trying to get pee from a cat. I just budle them up and let the vet draw the urine right from the bladder as KAK mantioned.

[TopCat3]

Fantastic news, you must be so relieved. You could maybe try a coat conditioner? I think they come in little pots. (here anyway). The petting sounds lovely, and I'm sure he's ready for it after the vet visits :p Could it be a winter coat - is it cold where you are?

[sirrahbed]

GREAT NEWS DEBBIE!!!! :D See those babies have been a good exercise workout for Eliot! ;)

Is Eliot one that is maybe a bit more to himself?

:o YES, Eliot is very much my loner kitty. In fact, while I was trying to get the samples from him - I was very aware of how much he was enjoying the individual attention and I think you may be exactly right about the fur....he gets his petting only if there are no other kitties in the room and IF he is in the mood.

He is by far the most playful and energetic of the cats and is trying so hard to find a playmate in Boomer. Lizzie is annoyed by him because he chases her and he and Robbie race around the house and wrestle ALOT!! So....he surely gets much more exercise since we brought the babies home ( :D the babies are over a year old and bigger than he is but guess they will always be the "babies")

TopCat3 - You know, I have a jar of conditioning foam in the cabinet!! I will have to get that out and rub it on :)

KAK and Jen - I am afraid of that bladder needle!! The sample is not that urgent now or guess that is what we would have done...I will try again tonight and did not think of trying NO pellets. When he used those - there was no urine to pour or use the dropper I have to take out because it all was on the pellets and there was nothing to pour. I think what I did wrong was add a bit of used litter in one corner and he tracked the dust around?? It never occured to me that he would go in the clean box of pellets or even no pellets unless it had the litter scent.

Well, I am still just so relieved that he is fine. I was feeling SOOOO nervous about bringing him in!! One moment I thought I was neurotic to bring in a "thin" kitty to perhaps find out he was simply "thin"
....the next moment I was feeling guilty because I have been wondering about his thinness for at least six months....some of you may remember that I brought in his sister Emily at about one year of age to having a "growth" on her belly checked....and sent home with diet food for her!! :D She is my very first female and I never knew about that fat pouch that some of them get on their bellies after the spay, etc.

Barbara....yes, my Eliot is thin and healthy!! You were right! Someone else suggested that cats these days are often a bit overweight and I have to chuckle because Eliot is really the only kitty I have ever had that looks lean and "catlike" :D

One other thing....since keeping Eliot in our room by himself and thoroughly enjoying that private attention.....we are planning to do it now and then with each kitty!! Having Eliot alone was such fun!!! We laughed at his antics and Dennis commented that he never really noticed what a funny character Eliot could be. Dylan is another that will only come to us when the other cats are not around - so I am looking forward to the private time with each kitty ;)

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Such wonderful news about Eliot! :D

As for the dry,coarse fur, Tubby had that too, along with a bit of dandruff. I tried everything when he was much younger to get the dandruff to disappear - oils on his food, different foods, etc. - but it never did, and he always had a rougher coarser fur than other cats I know. CJ's fur is sooooo soft compared to Tubby, and with Peanut it's hard to compare because of her longer hair. Like people's hair, I think cats fur has different textures and it could be that Eliot ended up with the rougher coarser type.

Don't worry about neurotic about him, it's natural for pet meowmies to be a bit neurotic now and then. ;)

The private time for each kitty sounds like a great idea, and I'm sure they will all love it - as will you and Dennis! :D

[.sarah]

Do you possibly have a syringe or could you go back to the vet to get one? I work at a vet and we use the plastic pellets to get urine samples as well, but we use a syringe to collect it.