No need to be worried!! Update #33.

[Taz_Zoee]

For the past few weeks Taz has been an eating machine. He has been eating much more than normal. Is eating a LOT something to be worried about?

Now today Bruce fed him his dinner and he has not touched it. And he ate only his normal amount (before piggie stage) this morning. He is meowing at us to feed him, but he has a dish full of food!!!

Any ideas what could be the problem?

Oh, and I have a couple pictures I will post later too. My little guy doesn't get enough air time around here. Partly because he is not photogenic at all.

[Freedom]

Is h also drinking a lot? More than normal?

Does he feel hot to the touch?

Eating a lot and not gaining weight is one sign of hyperthryoidism. Or of diabetes. Or of a lot of other things. It is not really something you can determine, other than to decide if he needs a vet visit. Then they will do blood work to see what is happening.

My Mr. Amber Cat had over active thyroid, and along with eating like crazy, he was quite warm. I felt like I was next to a boiler when he snuggled up against me. Ruffles had overactive thyroid and hung out by the water bowl. Never noticed her being hot or eating a lot.

[Taz_Zoee]

He is not hot. And I can't tell if he is drinking more than normal, since he shares a water bowl with Zoee. I do not see him at the water bowl anymore than normal. But (and I don't know if I'm being over paranoid) I feel like his urine clumps in the box are super bigger for the past couple months.
I took him to the vet back in January, but I forgot to request the doctor I prefer. I talked to the other doc about some things and got prices for getting blood work and tests ran, since he is getting a bit older. He has his regular annual check up coming up in April, I think. And I plan on getting all the tests ran - thyroid, diabetes, kidneys, liver (even though they he had all these checked about 2 years ago). I will talk to my sister and get a list of what I should get tested (she is a vet tech).

With thyroid, would he pig out and then all of the sudden NOT eat at all? Or is he just being a picky eater? I guess I'll see how he eats in the morning.

I haven't weighed him since his vet visit, because that requires my butt getting on the scale, and I'd rather not see that number right now, lol. Maybe I'll see if Bruce will do it for me.

Thank you for the response Freedom.

[kt_luvs_kitties]

I would not worry too much. Just keep watching him and see if anything else changes...

In the winter, my kitties eat double to triple what they eat in the summer. Melissa(doolittleky) also says hers are complete pigs until the warmer weather. Might just be that.

I will pray either way!

And please do share pictures, I would love to see them

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'd also watch him and hopefully it isn't anything serious. Yes, I've also been told that cats eat more in the cooler months than in the warmer months. The lady that told me this works at an ER Vet Hospital. I've also noticed that my cats always seem hungry. I too would love to see some pictures of Taz.

[CultureJunky]

Jack ate like a pig and also had food that he wouldn't touch, and became very picky, almost like he was still hungry but was fed up of eating all the time.
If Taz starts to appear thinner get him to the vets.
Also feel around his neck and see if you can feel any lumps, as if the thyroid gland is up, then it's hyperthyroidism.

Hope he starts to feel better soon.

[Taz_Zoee]

Well, the vet said he looked good physically. His teeth look good. He got his two shots and they took blood and urine to do a full panel of testing.
Sooo, I will not find out anything until tomorrow.
Back in July/August of 2006 when he was VERY sick they did a full panel on him and his BUN and glucose levels were a teeny bit above normal. So she expects they will be higher now, but hopefully not too high and we can get a head start on anything if it shows up.
I will update tomorrow after she calls me.
Thank you all!!

[kb2yjx]

It is said Patience is a virtue!!! Hope you get the results soon!!

[Taz_Zoee]

Well, the vet called and his numbers have elevated a teeny tiny bit. Nothing to worry about though. WHEW!
His thyroid and glucose came back good too.
She said if his numbers go at the rate they are going, he'll be with me for a long time to come. WOO HOO!!
She told me to just keep an eye on him and if he does not eat for two days solid then bring him in and they will have to figure out what is up with him.
That is what happened back in 06 and we never did pinpoint what his problem was.
So it looks like my Tazmo is stuck with me for many years to come! I just wish it wasn't so expensive to find that out, lol.

Thank you all for your support.

[cassiesmom]

Yeay! Major hugs for Taz and some for Zoee too!

[CultureJunky]

Yay, that's great news. Well done Taz, what are you like worrying your meowmie like that! Grrrrr, naughty boy.

[kb2yjx]

That is good news about Taz!!!! YEA!!!!!!!!!

[Catlady711]

Glad the tests came back good.

Bummer they couldn't pinpoint anything though. Hopefully there will be no more strange eating habits anymore to have to worry about.

[krazyaboutkatz]

This is wonderful news!!! I hope that he'll have many more happy and healthy years ahead of him. Maybe he's just becoming pickier with his food in his old age.