Ben is losing weight

[cyber-sibes]

"Anyone ever have this situation?"

Poor guy. I'm going through this with my 17 yr old cat. He lost half his body weight in about six months. The bloodwork showed his thyroid was ok, but his kidneys are sulggish, so now for about four months he gets subcutaneous fluids a couple times a week. He was doing better, but seems to have lost his tolerance for this procedure recently. Half his fur fell out this summer, too. Considering his age, I don't want to continue if it's actually making him more miserable and prolonging the inevitable. I honestly don't expect him to make it through the winter. At least I feel like I tried my best, but I don't want to put him through alot of medical procedures.
Hope your news from the vet is promising, it's so hard to make these decisions. Will add you to our prayers.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so sorry to hear about Ben. Not knowing what the problem is must be very upsetting for you. I sure hope that whatever it is that it's treatable. Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are being sent his way. Please take care.

[TopCat3]

I'm sorry to hear about Ben too.
Scott, there are lots of websites that give insight into hyperthyroidism and other cat health issues. www.sniksnak.com has some useful info on hyperthyroidism and so did www.winnfelinehealth.org
My Cleo was diagnosed with it at the end of August (see my thread of today's date) and has responded well to medication. Fortunately she eats well and has gained weight. However now she has responded to medication it has unmasked the true state of her kidneys which are starting to fail.
So if your cat is losing such a lot of weight it could be the hyperthyroidism in conjunction with other things, not always evident from blood tests because hyperthyroidism gives false results for other issues e.g renal failure.
Once Ben's thyroid is under control a bit, blood tests might tell another story, as in Cleo's case.
I wish you and Ben well, it's not easy, is it?

[kb2yjx]

HI. I have had one cat with thyroid disease. The vet once said something interesting, which came first the thyroid or the kidney disease OR were they both brewing at the same time and one just appeared before the other. Hope you hear something about Ben soon. WIll keep Ben(and you, too) in our prayers. Sandra

[catarius]

Thanks Sandra !