weight loss

[Memphisbelle049]

Have a 5 year old black and white American Shorthair ( tuxedo cat ). I have noticed that she has recently lost weight. Eyes are clear, nose is cold, coat is shiny and soft. She doesn't act sick or tired. Habits have not changed, what could be causing an otherwise healthy cat to lose weight? She and my 11 year old daughter are inseparable, the cat is my daughter's "baby". Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Tambrey]

I would suggest a trip to the vet and full blood profiles done...it could be any number of things...thyroid...kidney...liver...worms...so many possibilities and the only way to know is for the vet to do bloodwork and stool and urine samples to check everything...

Also...does your cat stay indoors...if it goes outdoors, it could have gotten into any number of things as well...so if your cat goes outside...please, from now on, keep it INDOORS ONLY And if you do keep it indoors only...GOOD!!!

Please let us know what the vet finds...

[Traci]

Ditto Tambrey's advice, get kitty seen by your vet promptly, sudden or gradual weight loss in cats can indicate any number of hidden health conditions.

[Memphisbelle049]

Thanks for the replies. The cat never goes outside, she is an indoor cat only, so I am ruling out anything that she might have gotten into.
I am going to take her to the Vet on my first day off, I was just hoping I could get some advice to ease my daughter's mind until the Vet visit. I was also hoping for suggestions as to what may be wrong, so I could prepare myself and my daughter for the Vet's visit, should it be bad news. Could anyone give me any ideas what could be causing this, or has anyone ever experienced this with their own cat? Just trying to mentally prepare. Also, I am scared to get bad news, for my daughter would be devastated. The cat seems otherwise healthy, so maybe I am just over reacting. Maybe she is tired of her food? My daughter tends to fill her bowl up to the brim and overflowing, food going stale? I have instructed my daughter to just put a small amount in a little bowl so it will be easier for me to monitor just how much she is eating until we get to the Vet. Our vet is on vacation now, so next week, on my day off she will be seen. It doesn't seem like an emergency, like I said the cat is acting and playing normally. I guess what I really want is someone to ease my mind and help with this anxiety until she can be seen.

[Traci]

Worms, poor absorption of nutrients, kidney disease, liver disease, GI tract inflammation or problems, the possibilities are endless. The point is, only your vet can determine upon a thorough exam. We can't see or examine your kitty, only your vet can.

If you're concerned about your daughter's feeding kitty, instruct her to hold off on that until your kitty has been examined by your vet.

Get peace of mind, make an appointment for your kitty immediately, your vet, upon the exam will determine if bloodwork may be necessary. It may not be anything too serious at all, but don't wait around to find out.

[Memphisbelle049]

Couldn't wait for my Vet to get back from vacation, so we took our cat to another vet yesterday. She has a large mass (about the size of a grapefruit) in her abdomen. We brought her back to the Vet this morning, he is doing exrays to see exactly what we are dealing with. The Vet tells me that I need to prepare my 11 year old daughter for , what he thinks is the inevitable. We are all heartbroken. My daughter can't understand why God would do this to such a sweet and loving cat.Her cat's name is Cheddar (my daughter named her) and they are inseperable. The cat follows her around the house like a puppy. When she is in her room reading, the cat is sitting next to her on her own chair. when she is playing in her room, the cat is lying on the bed watching her. When she is on the computer, the cat climbs up and sits in her lap. When she is doing school work, the cat lays on the table right by her. When my daughter takes a bath, the cat stays in the bathroom with her. The cat is my daughter's "baby" and best friend in the world. You can imagine our household right now. All of us are walking around in tears. I am trying to comfort my daughter right now, but nothing is working. The Vet said there is a slight chance, maybe 2%, that it is an obstruction, however, he has been practicing for 40 years now and is 98% sure, even before seeing the xrays that it is a tumor and there will more than likely be nothing we can do. This came on so suddenly! Last week I noticed that she had started tolose weight, but wasn't really concerned, it has been hot here and usually she will tend to drop a pound during the summer. Then this week, her weight loss seemed to accelerate. In my heart I knew something was wrong, but didn't want to face it. I wanted to stay in denial, none of us want to lose this precious cat. She is the most lovable, cuddly cat we have ever had. She will lick you (kiss) like a dog. She will put her paw gently on you to make you pet her. She will talk to you all day long as long as you talk back to her.
I have been instructed by the Vet to call his office around 1:00 this afternoon after he views the xrays. Our life has virtually come to a standstill right now.

[Tambrey]

prayers that it is something that can be treated...please look at ALL the options...including surgery to remove the mass, even if not an obstruction...

Please let us know what the results of the x-rays are...

{{{cheddar and daughter and rest of family}}}

[mamaof4soon]

Prayers for Chedder and your family especially your little girl. I do hope there is some way to take out the mass. Chedder is only 5 so that works in his favor. Let us know please.

[Ash]

My prayers to you, Cheddar and your daughter too! Hopefully something can be done!

[Memphisbelle049]

Thank you everyone for your support and prayers. We lost our 14 year old German Shepard mix 3 years ago and I still grieve to this day, our other dog is now going on 14. Sometimes I wonder if I it would b e better to not have these wonderful pets in our lives, the hurt is so bad when you lose them. But, I can't imagine not having pets. They love us so unconditionally, never find fault with us, never hold a grudge, they are always there for us, they know when we are sad, hurting or just plain frustrated, they give more love to us than any human ever could, they make no demands on us and are grateful for every second of attention we bestow upon them and they never change the channel when you're watching something!