My Thin Cat

Has Beau ever had blood work?

How old is he?

Tested for parasites, or been dewormed?

Do you schedule feed or free feed?

Some cats do have higher metabolisms than others, and self regulate.

However I do urge you to follow through and get him to the vet for a check up including stool check, blood work and urinalysis.

My first guess would be tapeworms or other parasites, but, like people, some cats are just skinny.

He must be a big boned kitty! He is definitely due for his first senior blood profile. Be sure the vet orders the thyroid test too.

Let us know how it goes, okay?

We will be anxious to hear about Beau. You are doing the right thing to get some bloodwork done. The doctor can tell so much about the cat by doing that. Here's hoping he will be fine.

I agree to talk to your vet, but some cats are just thin. My Ellie has been checked out three times in her life by different vets, because I was worried about her thinness, but they have all dismissed my concerns. She is glossy and sleek, her eyes are bright, she eats well and she is the most active all my cats. Her legs are very long and I always tell people she is the supermodel of the cat world.

Blood is easily taken. My vet takes from a vein in the throat. Some take from the forearm. Urine, also is now taken directly from the bladder. It's called Cystocentesis. Kitty doesn't feel a thing.

I'll be watching for updates on Beau!

for a good report from the vet! Moose is naturally skinny; sometimes I look at him and he looks underweight, but his vet says that's just his body type and he's very healthy. Please let us know what happens.

Is he neutered? If no, then that may be it. Intact males have more drive, and are more likely to be underweight.

Has he always been skinny? The first thing that comes to my mind is hyperthyroidism, which is where the thyroid glad is over active, making his metabolism too high, especially if his coat is course or dull. It is detected with a blood test (sometimes in house, sometimes sent to the lab), and if his T4 is too high, he would be on a thyroid medication called methimazole daily or twice daily, depending on the values.

Another thing that comes to mind, with the hard stool, is kidney function, which again, is detected with bloodwork and urinalysis. Kidney abnormalities is a whole different ballgame, and treatment varies depending on the severity.

Or it could be something completely different!

The best answer is a vet visit. Just be prepared to do bloodwork, just in case.

Blood is usually collected with the patient wide awake, especially in sick, geriatric, or debilitated animals. The only exception is if the kitty is WAY too aggressive, and will hurt himself or others, rather than help. Blood samples for chemistries, t4, CBC, require larger volumes (usually 1-3 cc), and is frequently collected from the jugular vein (vein in the neck), because it is the largest vein (and easiest to hit) and has the best flow, which prevents clotting (if a sample clots, it is null and void to the blood analyzer). Sometimes, it is collected from the inner saphenous vein, which is on the inner thigh. This method is used most if kitty is too wiggly to sit still for a jugular stick.


I hope that answers some questions.

Good luck!

Okie

Let us know how it goes!

I bet it's the tooth. I am glad that you found a great vet and his records! that the dental goes well!