Eliot - How thin is too thin??

[RedHedd]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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!

Kim

[Uabassoon]

Great news!

[sirrahbed]

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?

YES, Eliot is very much my loner kitty. In fact, while I was trying to get the samples from him - I was very aware of how much he was enjoying the individual attention and I think you may be exactly right about the fur....he gets his petting only if there are no other kitties in the room and IF he is in the mood.

He is by far the most playful and energetic of the cats and is trying so hard to find a playmate in Boomer. Lizzie is annoyed by him because he chases her and he and Robbie race around the house and wrestle ALOT!! So....he surely gets much more exercise since we brought the babies home ( the babies are over a year old and bigger than he is but guess they will always be the "babies")

TopCat3 - You know, I have a jar of conditioning foam in the cabinet!! I will have to get that out and rub it on

KAK and Jen - I am afraid of that bladder needle!! The sample is not that urgent now or guess that is what we would have done...I will try again tonight and did not think of trying NO pellets. When he used those - there was no urine to pour or use the dropper I have to take out because it all was on the pellets and there was nothing to pour. I think what I did wrong was add a bit of used litter in one corner and he tracked the dust around?? It never occured to me that he would go in the clean box of pellets or even no pellets unless it had the litter scent.

Well, I am still just so relieved that he is fine. I was feeling SOOOO nervous about bringing him in!! One moment I thought I was neurotic to bring in a "thin" kitty to perhaps find out he was simply "thin"
....the next moment I was feeling guilty because I have been wondering about his thinness for at least six months....some of you may remember that I brought in his sister Emily at about one year of age to having a "growth" on her belly checked....and sent home with diet food for her!! She is my very first female and I never knew about that fat pouch that some of them get on their bellies after the spay, etc.

Barbara....yes, my Eliot is thin and healthy!! You were right! Someone else suggested that cats these days are often a bit overweight and I have to chuckle because Eliot is really the only kitty I have ever had that looks lean and "catlike"

One other thing....since keeping Eliot in our room by himself and thoroughly enjoying that private attention.....we are planning to do it now and then with each kitty!! Having Eliot alone was such fun!!! We laughed at his antics and Dennis commented that he never really noticed what a funny character Eliot could be. Dylan is another that will only come to us when the other cats are not around - so I am looking forward to the private time with each kitty