Unknown illness, I think I'm losing her...

[katslady]

I'm glad she is getting better.Hope the improvement continues. Good luck katslady

[thesun898]

My oldest cat, Ditte (11 years old, indoor only cat) has been losing weight. I just got married and had family flying in from Denmark so I admit I was preoccupied and didn't really notice until she had gotten very thin (5.6 lbs - and yes, I know I'm the worst mommy in the world for not noticing but things were so crazy and she spends a lot of time napping in odd hiding places).
I was able to take her to the vet last week where they tested her blood for kidney problems and they did a more expensive test for her thyroid. Both showed that her numbers were fine and in the normal range. The vet told me to feed her more, which I knew wasn't the problem because I do feed my cats properly and chose to feed them rather than myself years ago when I was quite poor.
Well, I went ahead and set up a private area for her to eat and got her canned food too, which she has always liked a lot. She's the only cat that prowls on the kitchen counter so that's where I made her private eating area. I've been monitoring her and it turns out that she's just not eating, only a few bites here and there, not enough to sustain her by any means. She's not vomiting and no blood in urine or stool.
I took her back to the vet this week and she's down to 5.2 lbs now. She's also anemic now and dehydrated. They did a Feline Leukemia test which was negative. She was given a meal by syringe (orally) and IV fluids. The vet said there's really nothing else she can do right now and I need to take her to a specialist which will run up around $1000, money I just don't have right now.
I've taken her home and get to force feed her every 4 hours - she puts up a fight but at least that means she's got strength left. I also have two kinds of food and special cat milk plus water available to her all day so she can eat if she feels like it (which she has a little bit).
I feel terrible for being unable to take her to a specialist right now, but please believe that it's not because I won't take care of my animals. I brought her and my other cat with me all the way from Denmark to Ohio when I moved here (even though everyone said I was crazy and to have them put to sleep instead - no way!!!) and again from Ohio to Oregon (with an additional cat and a dog).
My question after this longwinded rant is: has anyone else experienced a similar problem? What was the diagnosis? Prognosis? Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should try or what it could be? Any answers, suggestions, or prayers would be very much appreciated.
Thank you in advance,

Anne

have her checked for heart troubles, congestive heart trouble can lead to eating habit change

[thesun898]

have her checked for heart troubles, congestive heart trouble can lead to eating habit change

also looking at her age, that can be a factor cats are suppose to have a life span of 13 to 15 years, she is probably just acting her age and needs a different type of food one for a senior citizen cat