Weight loss - could she be ill?

[sweets]

Hello to all!

I have a female kitty who is about 11 months old. I got her from a rescue home. She was a very fisty outgoing kitty, of which I love in cats. She was up ALL night long playing like all kitties like to do. during the day she'd sleep some but was still very very playful. She didn't like much affection though or should I say affection was on her terms, not mine! She was far from a lap kitty.

When she was about 7 months old or so we had her spayed. She immediately changed. She just came to a screeching halt. She no longer plays at all. She sleeps all day and all night. She became extremly affectionate. She'll come and rub across my feet for affection. I've heard that spaying can change a cat but was very surprised at how she is now a totally different cat.

Anyhow, I was gone for 3 weeks. She was home alone. My friend came in everyday and feed, watered and changed the litterbox. She'd spend a few minutes with the kitty. I had no choice as I had no one to leave her with. Upon return home this is what I find: She has lost alot of hair mostly on the base of her tail (could be from rubbing under the coffee table and such). She has lost weight. She doesn't look ill skinny just skinny. She is still sleeping all the time. I took her to the vet immediately (the day I came home). The vet gave her an exam and states it's probably all just stress from being left alone for so long.

I am sooooo sorry! How mean and cruel of me. I guess I just never thought about the hard impact it could have on her. Anyhow, now what? Vet says stress. Can stress cause a kitty to loose weight and is it possible for a cat to do a 360 upon being spayed?

She is eating, drinking and using the litterbox just fine. Stool and urine all seem fine. She is not an outside cat. She has never stepped foot outside and has all her shots.

I'm loving on her as much as I can. I've told her 100 times how sorry I am to have put her through that. My heart bleeds for her. She is my sweets and I would never intentionally bring her any harm. Also, if it is just stress what else can I do for her?

[Guest]

Well, have answered one of my questions through research. Regrding whether or not they can change like that after being spayed. There are numerous website and people (vets) that state spaying a cat does not change their behavior. There are others who state yes it can. My friend states she once had a female that also did a drastic personality change after being spayed. My sister states her cat did also. I suppose that's just one of those controversial subjects. I doubt very seriously that those who have had cats that changed after being spayed actually had "sick" cats that never got better for the rest of their lives. I can understand one blaming it on the kitten maturing, however, I doubt that actually happens literally overnight as did with my sweets.

Anyhow, still curious about stress causing the weight loss. She's been on the same food since I brought her home. She is eating right now. I even gave her some chicken breast last night and a touch of tuna juice today (boy does she love that!)

[Tina B and crew]

While you were gone do you know how much she actually ate?? She could have quit eating the amount that she was and lost some weight. And yes, stress can do that to a cat, even small changes can cause some cats to get depressed and go anorexic. You did the right thing by taking her to the vet...and don't be so hard on yourself...how could you help being hospitalized??

As far as surgery or illness changing a cats personality....I believe it isn't the norm but can happen. Our only male cat did a huge personality change after having hepatic lipidosis and recovering...I know this isn't quite the same as a spay, but cats are mysterious animals. I've never had a cat do a complete 360 after a spay/neuter though. I wouldn't worry too much as long as she is healthy.

[sweets]

Here's something almost funny. I've read numerous websites now about spaying and behavior change. It's funny how they all say spaying doesn't change a cats behavior and that it's kindof like an old wives tale. However they all state that if a cat has changes after surgery it's positive such as they are more affectionate and calmer. Doesn't that sound a bit contradictory! (they don't change yet can become calmer and more affectionate)

Anyhow, I love her no matter how she acts. I'll look at the positive and appreciate and enjoy how affectionate she is now as she wasn't before. However, I did select her based on her fistyness. I just love cats with a bit of a wild side. guess that's why I've always been partial to the Manyx breed.

I don't know how much she ate while I was gone. She is eating well now though. She still loves her evening bites of my food that I give her

[Saphire_1975]

Sammy got fixed last week and already has the same personality a little bit lazier, but, I'm blaming that on soreness. Anna however has done a complete 180 since she had kitten's, she used to hiss, and not let any-one touch her and now she's rather quiet loving as long as you respect her boudaries. Her former owner came to see her the other day, and comented that he's never heard her purr before that day. She now purrs quiet a bit.

Saphire