I went to my mum's friends furniture shop today and they have two resident cats.
I think they're about 10 years old.
One of them, the male, Rascal, is HUGE!!!
I mean ...HUGE!!!
Not in terms of his bone structure.... he's just fat huge.
They said he's on a low calorie diet, but that it is caused by the inability of his spleen to break down fat.
Can anything be done?
I mean, surely he isn't fated to be a whale of a cat for the rest of his days is he?
Does anyone have any idea what treatments are available for this sort of condition?
I mean surely something can be done....
Thanks.
Hope i get some replies soon.
Fat Cat Unable to break down... Fat?
Re: Fat Cat Unable to break down... Fat?
there is no special treatment...unless it is a genetic trait, it is calories in vrs. calories out...true of humans,,,many people who blame their weight on genetics are just kidding themselve. there metabolism may be different but it is still calories in vrs calories out..less food, more exercise......
Re: Fat Cat Unable to break down... Fat?
I agree with Davet.....low calorie diet and EXERCISE. However, if your friend is feeding a commercial "low-calorie" diet or a store brand with such a claim, it's probably not suitable for the weight issue. This is where kitty could benefit from a veterinary prescribed diet, they are formulated for that specific purpose. Much of the success also depends on the amounts fed of a proper diet, and instituting an exercise program that kitty can tolerate on a daily basis.
Your friend's vet needs to re-evaluate this kitty, calculate his nutritional needs/amounts, prescribe a suitable diet and explain to the owner that exercise is a vital part of the weight management program. If this kitty also has not yet had a full blood profile done, it's time to do so, as any time an obese kitty is started on a weight management program, a pre-exam and bloodwork are essential. If the diet is started and too much weight loss occurs, this predisposes kitty to diabetes, liver failure, etc, these are serious conditions....the weight management must be done slowly and cautiously with frequent followups and weight checks. Also, if kitty is as obese as you say, a heart workup should also be done prior to a weight management program, this will also help the vet form a suitable exercise program.
Your friend's vet needs to re-evaluate this kitty, calculate his nutritional needs/amounts, prescribe a suitable diet and explain to the owner that exercise is a vital part of the weight management program. If this kitty also has not yet had a full blood profile done, it's time to do so, as any time an obese kitty is started on a weight management program, a pre-exam and bloodwork are essential. If the diet is started and too much weight loss occurs, this predisposes kitty to diabetes, liver failure, etc, these are serious conditions....the weight management must be done slowly and cautiously with frequent followups and weight checks. Also, if kitty is as obese as you say, a heart workup should also be done prior to a weight management program, this will also help the vet form a suitable exercise program.
..........Traci
Re: Fat Cat Unable to break down... Fat?
Sorry, I goofed and somehow zapped your post....anyway...
I would guess the owner has conditioned kitty NOT to run around, uh, expensive items?
To answer your question, not all cats are the same when it comes to metabolism, but in my opinion, with the proper weight management approach, proper diet and exercise, ANY cat can lose weight effectively, as long as it is done slowly, carefully and under direct supervision of a vet. It is the actual prolonged obesity that is putting this kitty in danger (diabetes, liver failure, heart failure, arthritis, etc). The longer the owner waits on this, the harder it will be for kitty to lose weight safely without associated health conditions.
Yzma wrote:He lives in an antique furniture shop so one would think he'd have loads of stuff to run around under and jump on...
I would guess the owner has conditioned kitty NOT to run around, uh, expensive items?
To answer your question, not all cats are the same when it comes to metabolism, but in my opinion, with the proper weight management approach, proper diet and exercise, ANY cat can lose weight effectively, as long as it is done slowly, carefully and under direct supervision of a vet. It is the actual prolonged obesity that is putting this kitty in danger (diabetes, liver failure, heart failure, arthritis, etc). The longer the owner waits on this, the harder it will be for kitty to lose weight safely without associated health conditions.
..........Traci