Ben is losing weight

I am glad things are looking up for Ben.

Scott, does Ben throw up a lot? When Kuhio's hyperthyroidism was getting very bad, she threw up a lot. The vet said that her system was on hyperdrive so she had a very nervous stomach. We fed her human baby food (all meat varieties) and they really helped. It was easy on her digestive system.

Something to keep in mind if he can't keep his regular food down. I also used to mince up (as small as possible) pieces of cheese and lunchmeat. Kuhio loved it. As long as the pieces were very tiny, she would keep them down.

I'm glad that Ben is doing better. Hopefully, this will continue.

Thanks for your replies. Ben rarely throws up. I have seen him vomit once or twice since I started changing out his food. I will try baby food and cheese and lunchmeat also.

My vet did two thryoid tests. He has mild hyperthryiodism. She said it isn't enough to cause this weight loss. We will monitor it closely though.

Again - thanks to all for your support!

Scott

More good news about Ben. He gained weight (from 8.9 to 9.35 pounds) over the last two weeks. He is responding well to the steroids. He looks better, has a great appetite and is quite active (for an 14 year old). The vet
cannot get a diagnosis without surgery and biopsy. She says we can give him chemo anyway. He either has lymphoma or IBS. She says the chemo will help IBS if it is not cancer. I am very reluctant to do surgery as he is doing better. Any thought on doing chemo?? It would be twice a week and then cutting back to every two months. I hate to put him though any un-necessary misery, but if it is cancer, it needs to be dealt with sooner rather than later.

I'm not sure how to proceed.

Thanks - Scott

Has Ben been drinking water?? I have seen various differences in the way cats react to the steriod shot. They will drink LOTS of water, there will be an increase in appetite OR there is a decrease in the appetite(rare). One cat that was on predisone for a short time for asthma had a RAVENOUS appetite!!! That could be a cause for the weight gain!!! GOOD LUCK!!!
Sandra

He drinks a normal amount of water. The vet told me to watch that. She said that steroids can occasionally cause diabetes (yikes !). His appetite seems greater than before -- but not ravenous.

He's due back in a month. I may seek a second opinion before then.

Thanks - Scott

My Peeka was quite a little porker. She was the only one of all my cats who gained a lot of weight after spaying. I knew something was up when she lost a lot of weight fast and it turned out to be renal failure and then her liver started to fail and that was that. The same thing happened w/Puddy; she lost a lot of weight very quickly and, as you all know, she went into renal failure. Puddy gained the weight back very quickly when she was started on an antibiotic and subcutaneous fluids. Peeka never recovered. :(

Blessings,
Mary