Old girl lost weight, poor appetite

[hellswelshy]

My lovely old cat who is 14 years old has recently slowly started losing weight. At first I didn't think anything of it as she was still eating at normal pace but in the last week and a half is eating much less than normal. She is also spending alot of time outside in her sheltered bed, again not that normal for her. I'm going to take her to the vets tomorrow if I can get an emergency appointment but in the meantime any thoughts? I'm scared it's something serious but of course it's not necessarily.

My immediate thought is to get her thyroid levels checked. It is very common for elderly cats to have an overactive thyroid and this means they lose weight and feel hot, which would make sense if she is spending time outside. It is easily treated with tablets or even long term (expensive) injection. I really hope it is something straightforward like that and she is much better very soon.

My old boy recently went through something similar, lost lots of weight, disappeared for hours, it was his thyroid. He's on meds and is ok now, although he also has other issues that mean the end is probably not too far away. He's a good bit older though, nearly 18!

Thank you so much for those replies I'm a bit worried I suppose and kept thinking she would perk up - she's always been a tough one! I had wondered about thyroid issues too so that seems a likely reason. Will report back after a trip to the vets!

It could be one of lots of things do a trip to the vets is the best bet. Hope all goes ok

Just to update this: we took our girl to the vets today. Sadly the news isn't good, she has lymphoma which is presenting as two tumours in her abdomen. Due to her age surgery isn't an option. She has been given a steroid injection with vitamin b to keep her comfortable for now. We hope this will perk her up for a little while - my dd's are very upset obviously, as are we all. She is very loved

I'm very sorry to hear your news. Shall you be spoiling her rotten from now on?

Thank you cozietoesie . Yes indeed, she will be fussed to bits by us all - that's pretty standard to be honest, her nickname is Queen of Sheba for good reason!