The vet is baffled, maybe PTers will know

I took my Dad's cat, Miss Kitty, to the vet for her annual. I've been concerned because she's lost weight and she is drinking a lot. I was shocked to find out she has lost over 2 1/2 pounds since last October. She's down to 6 1/2 pounds now. The vet said we needed to run blood test to find out if it's thyroid, kidneys or diabetes. Well after $150 in tests all we found out is her liver enzyme is a little elevated and the vet said it was typical for a cat her age, 13 or so years old, and not to worry. Every thing else came back absolutely normal.

So, what do you guys think is going on with Miss Kitty? She's indoor/outdoor (usually just sleeps on the porch in the sunlight all day), she isn't eating as much but still eats pretty good, she drinks more water and she still hunts the occasional mouse. The only other things I've noticed is her coat is dull and she doesn't use the litterbox much, she must be going outside most the time.

The vet just said to watch her and to bring her back in a few months to check her weight.

I have no clue Lori, but I will be sending out Prayers for your Dad's cat, Miss Kitty, that it is just related to old age and nothing serious.

I was worried about my Boo Bear a year ago or so and had him checked out for the same reason. He was 16 then. His tests came back normal and Dr. Lee said that some cats just get thin as they get older, just like humans. (Not this human; I wish) Maybe the same thing is going on w/Miss Kitty. (I hope)

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Originally Posted by jazzcat

run blood test to find out if it's thyroid, kidneys or diabetes.

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Hmm that is odd, and those three tests are the big ones when weight loss and drinking more water are concerned.

I'm glad things came out normal, but darn if I know what's going on with the kitty. Maybe a recheck on the lab work in a month if the weight loss and drinking continue and to make sure the liver tests have not increased more? Other than that maybe a second opinon?

If you ever do find out something please let us know. I hope the kitty gains some weight back and continues to feel good.

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Originally Posted by Medusa

I was worried about my Boo Bear a year ago or so and had him checked out for the same reason. He was 16 then. His tests came back normal and Dr. Lee said that some cats just get thin as they get older, just like humans. (Not this human; I wish) Maybe the same thing is going on w/Miss Kitty. (I hope)

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Same here with Taz when he was just 11 years old. He went from 18lbs down to 12lbs in a very short time. All tests came back A-OK. He is maintaining his weight around the 12lbs mark here two years later.

Well, I hope Miss Kitty's numbers stay level and do not get higher and that this is just "old lady" issues.

If you are really concerned, a second opinion might be in order. But you might want to wait a little while.

Is she eating, etc and are her spirits and energy good?

Adding a good Omega 3 - 6 oil to her food (wet food) can add luster back to her coat and can help energy as well.

HUGS and prayers for Miss Kitty.:love::)

:confused: No ideas, but lots of prayers.

It might just be a bit of senility. I know with elderly people, they tend to lose their appetites or even forget to eat as they get older!

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Originally Posted by kimlovescats

It might just be a bit of senility. I know with elderly people, they tend to lose their appetites or even forget to eat as they get older!

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Well she is my Dad's cat, lol. She may just be following him about forgetting to eat. ;)

Thanks for the input and well wishes everyone. Maybe it is just an age thing. Now that I think about it Ripley lost a lot of weight around that age too but he was diagnosed with CRF, could have been a coincidence.

Miss K's energy level is pretty good and she doesn't really act like anything is wrong.

Maybe she ate something that wasn't good for her? If her liver's acting up, try offering her a drop of vitamin E squirted on the tip of your finger. It's very safe - I give two capsules' worth a day to Smudge as a treat, just because he likes it so much! Cats who eat a lot of fish need extra vitamin E.

Love, Columbine

my kiki at around 18 years old lost some weight in a few months that i didn't notice to to much(appeared pretty normal)
but i was calling my vet and bringing him in...come to find out after
normal bloodwork...it was his mouth or teeth.(or even a tounge ulcer)
he said it was mouth cancer.
i thought that it may have been an infection from a canine tooth out and he didn't want to tell me.
I liked the vet a lot so i didn't question...but we had to put him down.
I was devistated because i felt bad that he was in pain all that time and i didn't know.
He was eating but not much.
but i know it was something in his mouth that made him ill...i felt terrible not knowing earlier.

i would have a good look inside his mouth lori if you can...or have the vet do it.
anyway...i hope he is ok.

Whatever it is I hope it's nothing serious. Catfamily does make a good point in that maybe her mouth is sore. How are her teeth? Has she had her teeth cleaned before?

Maybe her sense of smell isn't as good as it used to be either and this is why she's eating less. She may need some stinkier food to help to make her eat better. I'll keep her in my thoughts and prayers.

What about her pancreas? Just throwing that out there.

I will pray for her. :(

MICHAEL THE DREAMS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AT 17, HE HAS NO INTEREST SOME DAYS, NOT EVEN IN CHICKEN WHICH USED TO BE HIS FAVORITE.
IF ITS NOT THOSE THINGS OR HIS TEETH, I AM PUZZLED.
PRAYERS ARE COMING FOR YOUR DADS CAT, THE ONLY THING I COULD SUGGEST IS TRY KITTEN FOOD OR A SOFT PATE FOOD.
THAT WORKS WHEN THE FOUND CATS GO OFF THIER FOOD SOMETIMES:love::love:

Mollie Rose, who is 16, has lost alot of weight which I atttribute to her age. She had blood work done back in January and everything was normal.

The vet checked her mouth pretty thoroughly and didn't see any problems. From what I could see her teeth and gums look great. Of course there could still be a hidden problem in her mouth so I will watch her closely. She did have an ulcer on her lip last year when I took her in and they gave her an injection which cleared it up immediately. I had changed her food right before that and the vet felt that was the cause. I changed her back at that point and every thing has been fine since.

Sparkle is 13 and in a similar situation. Eats often, but little each time, and lost quite a bit of weight rather rapidly. Had her in for the full senior blood panel twice in 4 months. Nothing showed up either time, numbers hadn't changed, and she had still lost 4 pounds in 4 months. So I just started adding some canned /wet food for her alone every other day. She hasn't GAINED anything back, but seems to have stopped the dropping weight with every breath!

I was going to suggest teeth / gums, but some one already did and you answered that.

Maybe she needs something like a/d or she just picks at her food. Bosun lost weight when she had bad teeth; once those were taken care of she put it back on. The excessive thirst makes me suspicious; maybe have her retested in a few weeks. (I have both a diabetic and a kidney cat.)