Eliot - How thin is too thin??

**smokey the elder** · 11-20-2005, 08:41 AM

It's interesting about his hair loss and change in coat texture. I know firsthand about changes in hair with thyroid condition in people; does the same thing happen in cats, I wonder?

Hopefully all the poking and prodding will lead to an answer!

**RedHedd** · 11-20-2005, 12:42 PM

The weight loss combined with the change in fur texture would give me cause for concern. I'm glad you took him in for testing. I hope it's nothing that can't be treated with perhaps a change in diet to improve his coat. I know you'll keep us updated.

**TopCat3** · 11-21-2005, 07:37 AM

I've only just caught up with this thread and send good wishes for Eliot and healthy blood test results.
My eldest Siamese, Cleo, has mild hyperthyroidism and has responded well to mild medication. I hope this isn't the case with Eliot but if it is, take heart. There is lots of info on the internet and I can help you find it should the need arise. Let's hope for Eliot's and your sake that it doesn't.
Keep us posted, won't you?

**sirrahbed** · 11-21-2005, 11:57 AM

the vet's office is supposed to call me today about the blood test results. They are probably still busy doing surgeries.

I don't have his urine or stool samples yet either

We kept him alone in the bathroom last night - with a small litter box and some plastic pellets. He peed twice but the first one got soaked up by the bit of litter I added to let him know it was a litterbox....the 2nd time, it just gathered onto the plastic pellets.

Hmmmm......sure hope I can get those samples

Eliot is in our bedroom and I have been watching TV with him - he is loving that one-on-one attention

**Kirsten** · 11-21-2005, 12:20 PM

Debbie, I know how hard it is to get urine samples! I need one from Luna, too, and still wasn't successful.

I keep my fingers crossed that you'll get good news from the vet!

Kirsten

**sirrahbed** · 11-21-2005, 05:42 PM

The vet called me back and says that Eliot's bloodwork is completely NORMAL. They did a "SuperChem" with bloodcount, thyroid, blood glucose, protein and multiple other tests. His theory is that having the babies here for the past year has made Eliot more active than ever and this is why the weight loss. He also said that some cats gain past kittenhood and then their weight stabilizes downward to their normal adult weight. His own youngest female cat also lost weight this past year. His notes about Eliot said that he appeared to be a sturdily built small cat. So - this is all GREAT news!! As far as the dry texture fur - I don't know what to think about that except that I have been looking too hard for a problem?? His fur does feel drier and coarser than the other five....Whatever - I am SOOO relieved that his tests were negative

I still need to get the pee and poo samples but he did not go for me since this morning

I will get those another time - vet still wanted to check those when I could get the samples.

I am happy!!

Thank you everyone for waiting with me

Better safe than sorry. They will follow his weight for awhile.

Kirsten - I sure do not know a good way to get that urine sample!! With the others - I have in the past gotten samples just by watching for them to go to the box and holding a container under them. Eliot will not even enter the litterpan if anyone is watching. They gave me plastic pellets to put in a clean container but the one time he actually went on them, the urine just pooled under them and I could not get any liguid from around them. I will try again tomorrow and see how we do. Yes, I know that Luna has the bladder troubles and it must be VERY hard to get the sample if she is not going very much or is having bladder pains.

**kimlovescats** · 11-21-2005, 11:12 PM

GREAT NEWS DEBBIE!!!!

See those babies have been a good exercise workout for Eliot!

Is Eliot one that is maybe a bit more to himself? If so, then maybe he gets petted just a wee bit less than the others? This could very well make a difference in his coat ... more petting / body oils / silkier, shinier coat!

I'm not trying to say (btw) that you don't pet him enough .... when you have several, and a life part-time too (lol) it's hard to always give everyone their equal share of "pets". Also some other kitties are more demanding and hog more than their share of the petting and stroking!

I just know that when some of mine have had coarser, drier hair, and I started paying more attention and petting them more often, it seemed to really improve!

One of my recent rescues' former mom came by to see her and couldn't believe the different in her fur. I didn't know what else to tell her but that I pet her alot!