Weight loss WWYD

[Toddlerteaplease]

Magic/Snorg has lost loads of weight over the last year or so. The youngest she is is 13 and could be older. Bloods in February were normal. She's very well in herself, very bossy and having zoomies. eating and drinking. Some loose poo, but not diarrhoea. Cost looks awful but is actually in good condition apparently.
How much would you investigate? I'm thinking maybe bloods and poo sample but nothing else? She is insured, but premiums and excess are high.

Anyone?

Could potentially be her kidneys, as that's when my previous old boy started losing weight.

With Boycat it was the first sign of his CKD, followed by drinking more. Urine test may be the way to go, just to rule that out. That would also help rule out diabetes too. Not sure of hyperthyroidism, think that would have been picked up in the blood tests, same with cancer?

Kidney disease was the cause of my cat losing weight. It's well managed with diet and meds.

Her sister got kidney failure as a complication of her heat disease. But Magic is not behaving in the same way that Maia did. She's had a rough time with medical issues, so I don't want to do any heroics for her. I'll carry on as long as she's happy, and when it's time I will know. The vet last time she saw one talked about going on a tumour hunt.

She was loosing weight when she had her bloods done in February. And they were normal. She then had a really rough time losing her eye. And her weight never recovered from that. If she's so full of beans that I am hoping it's just her age. Persians don't live as long and she's been on borrowed time since surviving pancreatitis a few years ago.

Have you tried Royal Canine Recovery food. I used it to help my cat put on weight. My cat is end of life as she refuses special food and medication. Vet has advised as long as she maintains weight that's the most important thing.

I've swapped them from Royal canin as my other cat can't tolerate it. They were on Iams but are now on Amazon own brand. And they love it. There is nothing wrong with her appetite. Especially where treats and titbits are concerned!

Hello Toddler,

Could be her thyroid perhaps? Two of my girls both had hyperthyroidism and what you've described could be symptoms of this. Easy enough too diagnose with a blood test at the vets. I'd definitely get bloods done as they can tell you so much then take it from there 😽

Yes. I'll get bloods done. But I'm really reluctant to go looking for problems when she's happy and still completely herself. Although she's heavily insured, her premiums are £118 a month and are at the limit of what I can afford. They will increase again next month.

Thyroid or kidneys, I'd guess. Kidneys are harder, but my old lady was diagnosed with thyroid when she was about 14 and is now 20 - liquid medicine in her food makes it easy.

If it's kidneys then I'll just let nature take its course until I know it's time.

Our lovely Bailey Cat was like this. Loose poo, lost weight but happy within himself. We had to work to keep his weight up. He then took a turn for the worse and it turned out to be lymphoma. He was put on steroids and then had another very happy 6 months before deteriorating and we knew it was time. Bloods were always fine - they did a scan and that’s when they found some inflammation that then turned into lumps.

With all the issues she's had, it's a miracle that she's still here anyway! She's an incredibly tough little lady. She's had a great life with me. And couldn't have been more loved. So I'll see what the vet says and take what we can get. My gut instinct is that she doesn't have that long. Though she's bright eyed and bushy tailed.