Hi all,
My cat (16, a rescue with no history as owner died) has recently lost a bit of weight and started drinking and urinating much more, and being much more talkative. Say over the last two or three months or so. He's also stopped going outside whereas he'd always go out a couple of times a day/night.
I took him to the vet for tests (blood and urine) last week but they were unable to pinpoint anything, saying one type of liver enzymes were high, but the other was normal; ditto for kidneys. His urine was excessively dilute (as you'd expect from excessive drinking). She also noted a heart murmur.
Apart from the weeing, he is eating normally, pooing normally and runs around after me, up and down stairs etc without any trouble.
She suggested I try him on a renal diet (Royal Canin) or have him scanned (heart plus liver/kidneys). However, she said because the blood tests were inconclusive, there was a good chance a scan wouldn't reveal anything (she has ruled out pancreatitis and hyperthyroidism as the tests showed nothing abnormal). The scans will cost £400 inc sedation if required. I don't have insurance because it was very expensive due to his age.
My current plan is to try the food for a couple of months and see how he gets on, and then look to get a scan if he isn't improving. What do you all think? He is a delightful, affectionate little cat, enjoys life and I'd like to keep him in good health for as long as possible!