Significant Weight Loss in Older Kitty (kitten, vomiting, kidney, drinks)

[heather121]

Hi all,

I have a 14 y/o Maine Coon who has lost so much weight over the last year and her vet is not sure why. She weighs 9.5 pounds (and if anyone is familiar with Maine Coons, they should weigh closer to 14 pounds) and is basically skin and bones. She eats about 4 cans of food a day (Fancy Feast, not the best but she gets what she wants), drinks tons of water, and pees a lot.

Her blood work results today showed absolutely normal everything except for minor kidney changes that wouldn't account for the major weight loss. She has no diarrhea or vomiting and her behavior has not changed. It seems like the problem is not going to be an easy one to find, and I don't know if I can put her through the number of tests required to diagnose it (ultrasounds and organ biopsies were on the vet's short list), or that I can even afford to do it.

Has anyone gone through something similar? Is it likely at this point we could be talking about some kind of cancer? I'm so worried about her

[FiveHorses]

I am sorry to bring up the obvious, but I have to ask because you don't mention it... she's been tested for FIV, yes?

[heather121]

Originally Posted by FiveHorses

I am sorry to bring up the obvious, but I have to ask because you don't mention it... she's been tested for FIV, yes?

Yes, sorry for forgetting. She came from a breeder as a kitten and is FIV negative.

[thebobs]

I think an overactive thyroid might do this but I'm not sure. I'd get the thyroid checked.

[Racelady88]

Did they check blood glucose levels? Diabetes comes to mind.

[heather121]

Originally Posted by thebobs

I think an overactive thyroid might do this but I'm not sure. I'd get the thyroid checked.

The bloodwork she just had done included thyroid, kidneys, liver, diabetes, and a urinalysis, all came back normal I wish it were the thyroid, then we could get meds for it and start getting better.

[thebobs]

Originally Posted by heather121

The bloodwork she just had done included thyroid, kidneys, liver, diabetes, and a urinalysis, all came back normal I wish it were the thyroid, then we could get meds for it and start getting better.

How about a tape worm (can cats get these?)?

[Hanna B.]

It really sounds like hyperthyroidism to me, too. Can you get him rechecked, with oh, man, I can't remember the names of the specific tests - T4, I want to say. There's more, too, but someone will come along hopefully that knows what I mean.

I'd probably spring for an ultrasound if everything comes back negative. They run about $300 here, but may give you some answers. I hope she feels better soon!

[chaseystarz]

Could be diabetic or cancer.

Have the vet run the test again and check the blood sugar levels.

[heather121]

Originally Posted by thebobs

How about a tape worm (can cats get these?)?

She was dewormed earlier this year actually. When we adopted our younger cat in January he came with roundworms, so they both got a deworming then.

Originally Posted by Hanna B.

It really sounds like hyperthyroidism to me, too. Can you get him rechecked, with oh, man, I can't remember the names of the specific tests - T4, I want to say. There's more, too, but someone will come along hopefully that knows what I mean.

I'd probably spring for an ultrasound if everything comes back negative. They run about $300 here, but may give you some answers. I hope she feels better soon!

Vet did suggest the T4 if nothing conclusive came up with these results. I think that and the ultrasound is probably what we will need to do.