Elderly cat

Tcs

My dear cat is 16 years old, she has lost alot of weight recently, eats like a horse,and scratches all the time,i've checked for fleas and she seems to be clean, apart from this, she seems well. I don't want to take her to the vet as she hates going in the car and gets quiet stressed, and being that in herself she is not in any pain, other than the constant demand for food. I have wormed her so that is not the cause, any suggestions to this problem please.

BYALPHAINDIA

I am sorry to hear of this, I gues it's just old age.

16 years old is a fair age.

Best Of Luck To The Queen.:T

RoxsiScotland

Hi there, sorry to hear youre having kitty worries.

Similar things happened to my cat when he got old - he was a little itchy and greasy/flakey because he wasnt very supple anymore so couldnt groom all that well, and was always mooching for another feed. He too became rather scrawny apart from a flabby belly hanging down! I think its just loss of bulk and muscle tone associated with old age. Regular meal times might help comfort your cat, knowing when its next meal will come should help reassure that food will keep coming! With my cat he did get rather befuddled in his old age - very loud too! But he was perfectly happy and lived to the ripe old age of 23! A search found this site might be able to offer some advice without a trip to the vets :
http://pet.justanswer.com/veterinary

Good luck, and hugs to your cat!

spookylukey

I think a trip to the vet is an absolute must, you've just described the classic symptoms of hyperthyroid which is very common in elderly animals. Please book her into the vets ASAP.

gordonstights

Hyperthyroidism is very common in older cats. The cat often eats plenty but cannot put on weight. Have a look at this link as it explains all about it.

http://www.hyperthyroidcat.co.uk/diagnosis.htm

Obviously it may not be this and testing at the vets will be needed to determine your cats problem, but it's worth reading up on.

Edit: I've just realised the previous poster also mentions hyperthyrodism! Didn't read your post before spookylukey, but I did also think it sounded like this as I came across a poor stray last year with it.

BizzyBek

Beaten to it as I was also going to say a thyroid problem - I've had a lot of hyperthyroid foster cats, it seems to be more prevalent these days as domestic cats make better ages.

Depending on the severity, age of the cat etc there are different treatments from daily tablets to an operation to remove the thyroid gland causing problems.

So make a vets appointment - they will diagnose my feeling her neck and a blood test.

UKTigerlily

Is she drinking more than usual?

orlao

I'm also going to say hyperthroidism:D

Sounds just like my cat a couple of years ago.

No cat likes going to the vets IMHO, mine yowls all the way there but there are all kinds of complications if the condition isn't treated.

tealady

Hi Could you ask your vet to do a home visit?

lowis

please get your cat checked out - it's always a good idea if they lose a lot of weight suddenly and their behaviour changes.

i had a cat who was eating very well, but lost a lot of weight very quickly....and then a week later she just stopped eating, we took her to the vet and she had feline lymphoma.

so, basically, it could just be a case of old-age, a condition which affects cats who reach old-age or a serious illness, but you won't know this until you get her checked out. definitely sounds like hyperthyroidism but best to be sure.

good luck...if your vet is agreeable, try putting Rescue Remedy in your cat's water for a few days before she goes to the vets. it might take some of the stress away.

babyangel10

Hi Lowis,

I just wondered if you put your cat through any treatment for its Lymphoma?

I'm in a sad position where I need to decide whether to put him through chemo, or have him put to sleep. He is approx 10-11 years old and my little furry baby and I am so upset about it.

Any advice welcomed