What is wrong with my Timothy?

He is 5 years old and had always been quite healthy. He dropped from 12.4 lbs. in March to a lb. less a few months later. He'd been on raw food (I make myself) since October of last but fell off the BARF wagon in late spring and has been eating quality canned food since. He is insane for anything fishy.

Symptoms :

1. Early AM vomiting -- usually clear, sometimes shows he's been chewing/eating something non-food
2. Increased appetite but not noticeably increased thirst
3. Weight loss
4. Occasional soft stools
5. Duller fur

This has been going on for the past few months.

The vomiting I attribute to anxiety over getting fed. I'm now giving him a 4th meal at night which has helped a lot but not entirely limited the problem.

I believe the fish is causing the soft stools. When I limit how much I give him that helps.

His less silky fur could just be because he's no longer on raw food.

A recent visit to the vet for an examination, complete with a full panel of bloodwork and fecal test revealed were normal and gave no explanation for the weight loss. The only thing the vet noted on his lab results were that something to do with his kidneys -- proteins of some kind -- were a bit high but still within normal limits. The weight he's done to is still a healthy weight if a tad lean.

He eats as though he's literally starving, more vocal and high-pitched at meal time, always licking his bowl clean. I am confident that if I offered him even more food, that would likewise be inhaled. In the 6 - 8 weeks or so since I doubled his food, he has not lost any more weight but neither has he gained. Not a single ounce. ( Yes, I've checked our scale and it's fine.)

TimTim is my baby boy, very attached to me. I love him so much and my maternal instincts are telling me something has to be wrong. Can any one give me any insights?

Thank you so much!!

I know you said full blood work, but was his thyroid checked? T4 or free T4 test? Because this sounds like hyperthyroidism to me with the increase appetite but no weight gain and dull fur. If that's been ruled out, I would cut out all fishy foods entirely. Try a high animal protein/high fat food and see if that satisfies him better.

The early morning vomiting sounds like excess stomach acid, especially since adding a 4th late night meal helped. The PICA (eating non-food items) is concerning if new behavior. Generally, that's an indication that something is off. Can you tell what he's been eating/chewing on?

Yes, his thyroid was checked and came back normal so the vet ruled out hyperthyroidism. He has a history of licking glossy photos when he finds them and chewing on plastic bags on occasion so the non-food gnoshing is not entirely new. I will add however that many weeks ago while waiting for his breakfast, I caught him dragging out and eating dust bunnies from under a hutch. ????

Then I would try the more frequent meals, consider Pepcid AC for excess stomach acid and reevalute his diet (no fish, look for high animal protein/high fat/no carb foods). It is possible that going from raw to canned, he is just not feeling satiated on his new food. Fishy foods, while high in protein are low in fat. Fish is also an inflammation trigger for many cats.

TwylaSage said:

He has a history of licking glossy photos when he finds them and chewing on plastic bags on occasion so the non-food gnoshing is not entirely new. I will add however that many weeks ago while waiting for his breakfast, I caught him dragging out and eating dust bunnies from under a hutch. ????

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I'm sorry. I had to laugh out loud at this. My Caesar is a bit neurotic and also licks glossy photos, floors (non-carpet), and walls. If there's a spiderweb/cobweb in a corner somewhere, he'll eat it. Caesar does have some sort of IBS, IBD or intestinal lymphoma, so I wonder if the weird licking/eating things is a malabsorption issue, resulting in some sort of nutritional deficiency.

Thank you for your recommendation. As to the foods you're suggesting I try, any brands that fit the bill? I am currently giving him single flavors of Wellness, Earthborn, Fussie Cat and yes, Fancy Feast because it's the only turkey food that he likes (other than the raw, when he was eating it).

My cat also has a lot of GI issues and may have IBD or IBS. He had chronic vomiting of hairballs what worked from him was getting him shaved, switching to mostly novel protein wet- he currently eats Nature's Variety duck and lamb in both their instinct and their pride lines. Another thing that I think is helping is this vitality science product (http://www.vitalityscience.com/v/AllProducts/Cat-Diarrhea-Vomiting/feline-Diarrhea-Vomiting.asp). I give him a bit of the vitality science in his food every day and when he does have a flare up (happens when change his diet at all) I give him a syringe of the feline comfort and the GI distress and it seems to calm his stomach right down and he is able to eat afterwards and keeps his food down. I can't say for certain it works but so far it does seem to help.

Oh also was wondering if you have tried some of the freeze dried raw foods you can rehydrate? Frank gets sick whenever I give him anything raw but my kitten is obsessed with the primal freeze dried food and they have a turkey flavour. 

I've tried Bravo Basic frozen turkey medallions but it was treated like it belonged in their litter box. Perhaps because it's made from turkey gizzard rather than muscle meat. When I'm able to make turkey raw, I always use thigh meat.

I've tried Nature's Variety canned food in the past -- neither of my two would touch it. Maybe I should make another attempt? As to the Primal freeze-dried, I don't know if I can find it around here. I was actually considering maybe giving Rad a try?

Thank you so much for introducing me to the Vitality Science product. I'm very intrigued though I wish it wasn't so expensive.

You might want to try the new Pride line of nature's variety. Frank wouldn't touch the original nature's variety canned food at fist because he is not crazy about pate type food. 

Vitality science is really good about answering questions about their products and you can email them and they can tell you what are the best products to try, you might not need all three products. It is expensive but it does last a long time because you only have to give a small amount in each dose.

Good to know. Thanks again!!!

How much canned food does he get per day? I think Fussie Cat is fairly low-calorie. . .the others should be about average.

He eats about 12 - 14 oz. of wet food a day.

CORRECTION - more like 10 - 12 oz.