My Mac is going in next week for his geriatric checkup. He is getting thin, though he still plays like a kitten and eats and drinks well. I am thinking it is his thyroid and nothing more serious. My vet also said he could just be getting "mature". When he was rescued and given to me, they said he was somewhere around 4-years-old and that was 8 years ago. He may have been older than that, who knows? All I know is that, like Dear Michael, his is a much-loved orangie who I hope stays around awhile longer. Gary, I hope all goes well with my sweetie, Mr. Purr!