Sudden weight loss in cat

[HollyWoozle]

Our sweet Eddie has lost about 4% of his body weight in the last 10 days. He is 15 and we’ve only had him a few years - he was already arthritic in his hips and lacking a little muscle there but now looks very poor. He was leaner than I’d like coming out of summer (he loves to sleep outside all day) so we started trying to feed him up more (he has allergies and diet is very limited which doesn’t help) and weigh him regularly.

He is now starting to seem a bit subdued and has eaten a little less this week, but nothing dramatic, but until now has shown no other main symptoms. He eats, drinks (not all that much but never has), seems to have no problems toileting and hasn’t shown any pain. I think he looks a bit bloated but it could just be that his back end now looks much thinner by comparison.

He was seen by vet yesterday who couldn’t see or feel anything wrong with him (had a good feel of his abdomen) but she agreed the weight loss is concerning and he feels thin. He is being starved overnight and we’re going back at 8.30am for a blood test and with a urine sample if he will oblige. He is up to date with worming.

Has anybody else had anything similar? I know there are various issues that can cause weight loss but I would’ve expected to see other symptoms like an upset tummy or excessive thirst perhaps. It’s now 2am and I am lying here panicking a bit thinking how he’ll disappear soon if this weight loss continues! He seems needy and unsettled tonight.

 

[Ratface]

I'm so sorry that you and your cat are in this situation. When King Kevin Kat demonstrated similar symptoms at the same age, he was in what turned out to be in last stages of the effects of a stomach tumour.
I hope that this is not the case with your cat.
Madam Cat and I send you and your cat positive thoughts and best wishes for the future.

 

[Dust Bunny]

Our sweet Eddie has lost about 4% of his body weight in the last 10 days. He is 15 and we’ve only had him a few years - he was already arthritic in his hips and lacking a little muscle there but now looks very poor. He was leaner than I’d like coming out of summer (he loves to sleep outside all day) so we started trying to feed him up more (he has allergies and diet is very limited which doesn’t help) and weigh him regularly.

He is now starting to seem a bit subdued and has eaten a little less this week, but nothing dramatic, but until now has shown no other main symptoms. He eats, drinks (not all that much but never has), seems to have no problems toileting and hasn’t shown any pain. I think he looks a bit bloated but it could just be that his back end now looks much thinner by comparison.

He was seen by vet yesterday who couldn’t see or feel anything wrong with him (had a good feel of his abdomen) but she agreed the weight loss is concerning and he feels thin. He is being starved overnight and we’re going back at 8.30am for a blood test and with a urine sample if he will oblige. He is up to date with worming.

Has anybody else had anything similar? I know there are various issues that can cause weight loss but I would’ve expected to see other symptoms like an upset tummy or excessive thirst perhaps. It’s now 2am and I am lying here panicking a bit thinking how he’ll disappear soon if this weight loss continues! He seems needy and unsettled tonight.

I'm so sorry to hear about Eddie. I hope that he's not going through the same that our cat did. Romeo was almost 15 and at times he was very picky with his food, but would always love a bit of chicken breast, tuna, or the odd bit of cheddar cheese - then after a few days he'd be happy with his usual food. One week he wasn't eating, apart from tiny portions of chicken. When I opened up a can of tuna he would usually come running in from the garden, but not that week. I also noticed some weightless. So, I took him to the vet on day 4. The vet immediately weighed him and discovered that he had lost 500g - his usual weight was 4.5 kilogrammes. She did an X-Ray which showed that his stomach was being 'pushed' into a little corner of the abdomen by what looked like cottonwool. He hadn't shown that he was in pain, no constant purring, no licking, no complaining, but she gave him an injection because she believed he was in pain - when she felt his abdomen he stiffened up and miaowed. The next day the vet gave him an anaesthetic so she could do an ultra-sound scan and this showed that his entire abdomen was riddled with cancer cells. What looked like cottonwool was the cancer and this was squashing is stomach so that even though he was hungry, he couldn't eat. I was devastated. We had had no forewarning and 3 months prior he had had a check up and his teeth cleaned and everything was fine. I really hope that this isn't the case with Eddie, it's good that you are seeing the vet - this will bring clarity. My mindset now, after this experience is always to prepare myself mentally for the worse. Wishing you and Eddie all the best.

 

[Lady Jane]

Its such a worry as they get old. The blood test should tell you about alot of common (& treatable) issues. eg kidney or thyroid problems. Do let us know the results

 

[Xmasha]

Sorry to hear he’s not well . But you’re doing everything you can for him .
We had something similar with Bob , who was also 15 . Turned out to be his heart ( vet said heart disease ) and he eventually developed a clot .
Hope he perks up , keep us updated x

 

[HollyWoozle]

Thank you all for your replies, you’re all so kind. I’m steeling myself for the worst but am hopeful it might turn out to be a thyroid issue or something like that… but has come on so fast. He showed no pain or discomfort when they felt his abdomen yesterday or this morning.

He had blood tests and a heart scan prior to a dental in March, all good, and then an ongoing eye ulcer issue which lasted a few months on and off. That is how all healed thank goodness. He provided his urine sample overnight, bless him, so we should have results of that and blood tests (inc. thyroid check) on Monday. He’s eaten some biscuits and some turkey from the farm shop and we’re having a rest.

Appreciate your lovely replies - I am totally smitten with him but that’s always the danger of having these wonderful pets… the prospect of being without them is too horrid a thought!

 

[FinnishLapphund]

Sorry, I can't think of anything positive to say. In your shoes I would prepare myself for the worst, and I'm guessing that even if today's blood test came back indicating e.g. diabetes, then his food allergies maybe will stop you from buying Diabetes cat food, and then I don't know how useful it would be to go forward with trying medication.

Hope I'm wrong, and the veterinarian still finds something fixable.
{{{{Hugs}}}}

 

[HollyWoozle]

Absolutely amazing service from our vets - blood and urine results already back and blood test shows an infection. I’ve already collected antibiotics and administered the first dose.

There is some protein in the urine which is a concern and they’ve sent the sample off to a lab for further testing and we’ll hear about that next week. Not out of the woods of course but at least we have found a potential issue that we can start treating.

 

[Dust Bunny]

Thank you all for your replies, you’re all so kind. I’m steeling myself for the worst but am hopeful it might turn out to be a thyroid issue or something like that… but has come on so fast. He showed no pain or discomfort when they felt his abdomen yesterday or this morning.

He had blood tests and a heart scan prior to a dental in March, all good, and then an ongoing eye ulcer issue which lasted a few months on and off. That is how all healed thank goodness. He provided his urine sample overnight, bless him, so we should have results of that and blood tests (inc. thyroid check) on Monday. He’s eaten some biscuits and some turkey from the farm shop and we’re having a rest.

Appreciate your lovely replies - I am totally smitten with him but that’s always the danger of having these wonderful pets… the prospect of being without them is too horrid a thought!

So glad the vet has found out where to start treatment. Isn’t that a reliefGive him a good cuddle️All the best.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Glad it's only an infection liver is very good for cats that have been ill they love it.

 

[oldandgold]

Keeping everything crossed for you both.

 

[Lady Jane]

Sounds like a positive outcome, lets hope the meds work quickly x

 

[Kunoichi73]

Glad you have a diagnosis and treatment for your chappie.

 

[Ratface]

Definitely a positive outcome. Claws, paws, hooves and fingers crossed for you and SuperCat Eddie.

 

[HollyWoozle]

Thank you all for your kind thoughts Eddie is grateful too!

 

[SEL]

Very relieved for you. Hopefully Eddie on the mend soon

 

[Dust Bunny]

Thank you all for your kind thoughts Eddie is grateful too! View attachment 124766

How’s Eddie doing today? Hope he’s feeling better

 

[HollyWoozle]

Thanks for asking, @Dust Bunny! The vets are happy with his progress - he has gained a little weight back and seems brighter. However, the muscle wastage in his back end does concern me… he was already quite lacking there and I guess his weight loss has just exaggerated it, but we’ll see what the lab tests come up with regarding the protein in his urine.

For now he is eating well and sleeping a lot but enjoying a fuss. We’ve had a few strolls in the garden together too. Definitely an improvement on Friday.

 

[Ratface]

Thanks for asking, @Dust Bunny! The vets are happy with his progress - he has gained a little weight back and seems brighter. However, the muscle wastage in his back end does concern me… he was already quite lacking there and I guess his weight loss has just exaggerated it, but we’ll see what the lab tests come up with regarding the protein in his urine.

For now he is eating well and sleeping a lot but enjoying a fuss. We’ve had a few strolls in the garden together too. Definitely an improvement on Friday.

I'm so pleased to read this @HollyWoozle. Please keep us updated on Eddie's progress.
Madam Chatty Fatty Carrie Catty would send encouragement, but she's asleep, having stuffed her ample fur belly with her biscuit supper . . .

 

[Dust Bunny]

Thanks for asking, @Dust Bunny! The vets are happy with his progress - he has gained a little weight back and seems brighter. However, the muscle wastage in his back end does concern me… he was already quite lacking there and I guess his weight loss has just exaggerated it, but we’ll see what the lab tests come up with regarding the protein in his urine.

For now he is eating well and sleeping a lot but enjoying a fuss. We’ve had a few strolls in the garden together too. Definitely an improvement on Friday.

That’s good to hearWhat a relief️ Wishing you all the best for Eddie. Sending cuddles

 

[Emilieu]

Eddie, you are beautiful! Get well soon

 

[HollyWoozle]

After a week of antibiotics Eddie is a bit brighter and gaining weight, but the fluid on his abdomen is significant and he is still losing protein through his urine. They have started him on meds in case of a stomach ulcer and he’s going in on Tuesday for an ultrasound and x-ray of his abdomen and they will drain the fluid and take his blood pressure (no appointments left on Monday).

It’s possible the weight gain is just the fluid and I think he’ll look very skinny once they drain that off, but at least he’ll be more comfortable and we might get some answers.

He was seen by vet yesterday and heart sounded good and no temperature. He is eating and drinking fairly well so will just try to keep his strength up for Tuesday. Neighbour sent him a lovely new fleece blanket.

 

[Ratface]

Yet again, fingers, toes, hooves, claws and paws all crossed for Eddie. You're definitely a Gold Standard Owner.

 

[Dust Bunny]

After a week of antibiotics Eddie is a bit brighter and gaining weight, but the fluid on his abdomen is significant and he is still losing protein through his urine. They have started him on meds in case of a stomach ulcer and he’s going in on Tuesday for an ultrasound and x-ray of his abdomen and they will drain the fluid and take his blood pressure (no appointments left on Monday).

It’s possible the weight gain is just the fluid and I think he’ll look very skinny once they drain that off, but at least he’ll be more comfortable and we might get some answers.

He was seen by vet yesterday and heart sounded good and no temperature. He is eating and drinking fairly well so will just try to keep his strength up for Tuesday. Neighbour sent him a lovely new fleece blanket.

Sending get well wishes and positive thoughts for Tuesday

 

[Kunoichi73]

Fingers crossed for Eddie to improve and you to get to the bottom of the problem.

 

[oldandgold]

Fingers and everything else crossing for Eddie

 

[brighteyes]

When you say ‘fluid in the abdomen’ you don’t mean ascites, do you?

Also 15 is getting on in cat years and since you haven’t had him for most of them, might be his past catching up with him?

All the ‘pet well soon’ wishes I have x

 

[HollyWoozle]

Yes, the vets haven’t used the term but he essentially has ascites.

 

[HollyWoozle]

Well, Eddie is home after a day at the vets and we are really none the wiser but kind vet said I should prepare for the worst. They couldn’t find anything on x-rays or ultrasound to explain what’s happening… the fluid in his belly is thick and just crammed full of neutrophils. His body is sending them there frantically to fight something but we don’t know what. Samples have gone for further testing but we have to wait until at least Friday and vet said it’s rarely good news in these cases.

For now he is home and still so cheery! Eating right away, loving a fuss and rolling around purring. So frustrating really but let’s see what the results bring.

For now he is comfortable and our neighbour posted some turkey for him through the letter box!

 

[HollyWoozle]

Finally we have some results back from the further testing of the fluid in Eddie’s abdomen and essentially he has a big infection, the fluid is a ‘septic effusion’. We have no idea why or where it’s coming from but we are now cautiously hopeful… we thought it would be game over but he is not declining and vets will add a second antibiotic today to help hit the infection.

I don’t want to get too excited but I’ve gone from thinking he was dying to thinking he may have a chance. He is tired, weak and thin but eating well, still enjoying cuddles and a fuss.