Is my Kitty Sick?

I have two adult female tabby cats.  11 years old, they're sisters.  Both are happy and seem healthy.  One has rapidly gained weight while the other has rapidly lost.  The fatter one - Armond, shes on an organic diet and is doing really well.  Is Dave, the one that lost weight Im worried about.

Dave, my female tabby, I can't be sure but she's lost a lot of weight quick.  Id say she went from 9lbs to 4 or 5lbs in a short period of time.

In the last few months she's gotten extra playful.  She's always been crazy like a kitten most of her life.  In the last few months she's started to run around like a maniac.  I was thinking the extra playfulness has caused the weight loss, as she is super hyper now all the time!  Though I know mannerism/behavioural changes are a sign that something is wrong.

She's still eating, drinking, sleeping like normal.  Ive started watching her bowel movements.  They've always been somewhat stinky.  Sometimes more than others.  Tonight she had a yellow bowel movement.

Im worried about the weight loss.  She used to be chubby and mushy.  Now when I pet her I can feel her little bones.  She's still a little budgy in the belly area but I can feel her hip bones and her little back bones when we cuddle.    

She's also always had vocal issues.  She lost her meow about 5 years ago.  She only squeaks or gargles.  Which the vet checked for a bacterial infection and checked her blood and everything.  Nothing!  She's always been a barfer too.  But we checked that too, they say she's fine, just a fast eater.

I don't know if she's sick.  I took her to the vet a few months back and they said she's fine.  I don't feel that way.  I think the weight loss is a concern, it IS concerning me.

Any suggestions?  I know she's 11 years old.  But I don't want her to die.  I want her for a few more years.  Tips or ideas as to whats wrong would help before we go back to the vet.

Thanks! 

From Kirsten

& Dave & Armond - Meow!

She's sick. Sorry to be blunt, and I'm glad you took her to the vets. But that kind of weight loss is alarming. As is her change in behavior.
I'd take her to a vet--perhaps a different one. Get the new vet to tell you why she is losing weight; old age in and of itself doesn't cause weight loss.

Rapid weight loss like that somethings wrong. Take her in to the vets again ASAP.

I agree with a vet visit. Rapid weight loss is always very concerning. Also, do you feed your cats separately? Are you sure that Dave is getting her fair share of the food?

I agree, the vet's is the only way to find out what's happening. Sounds to me like it may be a thyriod problem. My partners old (sadly passed) cat developed Hyperthyroidism in its later years, and with the weight loss, running around and bad poops all point towards the same thing my partners cat had. Easily treatable with meds every day. 

Best of luck! Please don't leave it too much longer before visiting the vets again, perhaps suggest checking her glands and getting a blood test done. The glands may be slightly raised - not so visible but may be able to feel it.

Thank you everyone. 

Ill get her to the vet ASAP.

I really only noticed how dramatic the weight loss was until just last week when I could feel her little bones.  I was thinking its a Thyroid problem too.

I have noticed that Armond does shove Dave aside at the food bowl and little Dave has to wait.  Ive even noticed sometimes Armond doesn't leave any food for Dave, so I feed Dave extra.  Shes always hungry!  She acts like I never feed her.

I treat her very special and a little different than Armond.  We have a special connection.  I love Armond too, very much, but Dave needs that extra care right now.  Maybe Armond is eating her feelings, which is why she's gotten so fat.  

Im a bad mommy.

Ill take them BOTH to the vet.

Thank you

I'd have blood work done on both cats. The weight loss and other symptoms with Dave make me think hyperthyroidism, and the increased weight and voracious eating that is happening with Armond makes me think possible diabetes.

You're not a bad mommy. I've had to say to good vets that I wanted blood work or X-rays and to just please appease the crazy cat lady in me. Every single time it turned out to be needed.

Best of luck at the vets, please let us know how you get on?

And in the meantime, is it worth feeding your cats in different rooms until you know what's going on. Just an idea!