5 year old not eating, losing weight, throwing up

Hi, haven't posted in a while. Have three cats, 7 year old female and two 5 year old males (litter mates). Something is very wrong with one of the males, Doodad. He started throwing up a few months ago, I thought it was something he was eating in the back yard, all three of my cats occasionally throw up but Doodad started doing it 2-3 times a week and I noticed he was losing weight. So I took him to the vet, she said his lymph nodes were a little enlarged, might be lymphoma, did a biopsy, came back negative. No meds, lymph node went back to normal size in a couple weeks, he seemed better, but last week I took him in again because he was lethargic and obviously losing more weight. Vet said he had gone from 11 to 8 pounds in three months, very bad. Lymph nodes felt okay, she did blood work, thinking it might be thyroid, blood work was “normal”. Vet said could be cancer that would not show up in blood work (I would think WBC would be elevated?), advised ultrasound and x-ray to look for tumors, very expensive, scheduled for next week. Tonight he is not interested in food at all, he did eat earlier and go outside for a while (fenced yard they stay inside fenced area). Seems to get around okay, jumps up to his usual places, sleeps a lot, just won’t eat like he used to. I am thinking he may have a renal problem, wouldn’t the vet know that? She said his liver tests were normal. I am afraid I may lose him soon and preparing myself for that. I am taking him in on Tuesday next week for the ultrasound and x-ray, is there anything I should ask about that might be worthwhile? Thanks for any info -- chris

Very sorry to hear about Doodad not doing so good.

I think what's critical here is that the technician who does the ultrasound is very, VERY good. There is an extreme amt of information to be learned from an ultrasound, and gosh, I know how expensive they are, had one done just a month ago on my Krissy. $450.00 for that alone.

However! That being said, it was that expensive because they have this vet come in from outside with her machine, and she does like 30-40 per week and is highly regarded.

The ultrasound is only as good as the person performing it.

I would also delay the x-rays until the ultrasound is done and you receive the report on the findings. They may not be needed.

I know one big thing I can advise, be SURE your guy is getting enough food and water intake so that he does not go into fatty liver disease. (hepatic lipidosis)

This is not uncommon in cats, and it's a very long road to recovery, and some do not recover.

It's simple. Cats liver function is not all that as it is, but holds it's own, but when the cat takes in 50% or less of his normal calorie intake, the body says okay, we need to use some of the stored fat, so it does, but it has to go through the liver, and the liver gets overloaded, gets all backed up and the liver shuts down.

Boom, all bad.

So it's critical he gets enough food to prevent this from happening.

Got the ultrasound result. Not good. Intestinal cancer. Involvement throughout intestines and will probably be in his pancreas soon. Vet gave me some steroids to give him. Picked him up, brought him home and I have been feeling sad and helpless all day. I wish I could make him better but of course I can't. I am coming to terms with that. He seems to be okay now, ate some, outside now sitting on his favorite flower pot. I pray I can make his last days as filled with love as I can. And that I can let go of my sadness.

SalsaNChips said:

 
Got the ultrasound result. Not good. Intestinal cancer. Involvement throughout intestines and will probably be in his pancreas soon. Vet gave me some steroids to give him. Picked him up, brought him home and I have been feeling sad and helpless all day. I wish I could make him better but of course I can't. I am coming to terms with that. He seems to be okay now, ate some, outside now sitting on his favorite flower pot. I pray I can make his last days as filled with love as I can. And that I can let go of my sadness.

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Oh my gosh! This is very, very sad news, I'm sorry!

NOT what you expect to hear about a 5 year old that's for sure. Very sad.  

You know, we do what we can do, give them a safe home, plenty of love, but the genetics of a cat we just don't know. 

So many cats live really long lives despite being fed crappy, cheap dry and don't even get fresh clean water daily, we just never know what the future brings for our furry kids.

I know Doodad will not be allowed to suffer, lots of love and hugs, I would let him eat whatever he wants, spoil him for a bit. 

Did the vet give any indication of how long he has?

Vet didn't say really, could be a few weeks, probably not more than a couple months. Sometime in late November most likely. He is okay today other than being lethargic. I gave him a steroid this morning, maybe that is why. He is eating and seems to be keeping it down which is good. He did have a BM earlier, in my closet, not the litter box but I don't care. Clean it up and be grateful

Aww, you need lots of hugs.          

Hugs and prayers. Personally if I were you I'd start/continue to take lots of pictures and videos. And do the cream cheese and danish diet (basically, what ever he wants to eat he can have).

Today I took him to another vet for a 2nd opinion. Which was that an ultrasound was not a definitive, conclusive diagnosis of cancer. There are things that can look like cancer tumors in the intestines on an ultrasound. Lymph nodes that are in the intestinal area, etc. The vet did not disagree just said it is not 100% conclusive. He said it is highly unusual, not unheard of though but rare to see a 5 year old otherwise healthy can develop intestinal cancer. He examined Doodad and said his kidneys felt a little grainy and there was definitely some unusual masses, small, but palpable in intestines.Other than that and weight loss, he looked very good, bright, attentive, curious. He suggested either a endoscopy or a surgical biopsy to be 100% certain of what is wrong with him. All we know right now is there is something going on in the intestines, could be cancer, could be something else. He also suggested I talk to vet that did the ultrasound and get more info, let them know my concerns. He said a surgical biopsy would run about $350.00 which seems fair. He raised his eyebrows when I mentioned I paid $425.00 for an ultrasound and x-ray -- no comment but visibly taken aback. Hmm. Whatever, I will talk to vet that did ultrasound tomorrow and see what info she gives me and take it from there. He may very well have intestinal cancer but there is some ambiguity now and I am hopeful about that for the moment.

I hope he gets better soon. You can also get him to other vets for a second opinion. Maybe he's just experiencing some digestive distress. How is he doing now? Any update?

SalsaNChips said:

Hi, haven't posted in a while. Have three cats, 7 year old female and two 5 year old males (litter mates). Something is very wrong with one of the males, Doodad. He started throwing up a few months ago, I thought it was something he was eating in the back yard, all three of my cats occasionally throw up but Doodad started doing it 2-3 times a week and I noticed he was losing weight. So I took him to the vet, she said his lymph nodes were a little enlarged, might be lymphoma, did a biopsy, came back negative. No meds, lymph node went back to normal size in a couple weeks, he seemed better, but last week I took him in again because he was lethargic and obviously losing more weight. Vet said he had gone from 11 to 8 pounds in three months, very bad. Lymph nodes felt okay, she did blood work, thinking it might be thyroid, blood work was “normal”. Vet said could be cancer that would not show up in blood work (I would think WBC would be elevated?), advised ultrasound and x-ray to look for tumors, very expensive, scheduled for next week. Tonight he is not interested in food at all, he did eat earlier and go outside for a while (fenced yard they stay inside fenced area). Seems to get around okay, jumps up to his usual places, sleeps a lot, just won’t eat like he used to. I am thinking he may have a renal problem, wouldn’t the vet know that? She said his liver tests were normal. I am afraid I may lose him soon and preparing myself for that. I am taking him in on Tuesday next week for the ultrasound and x-ray, is there anything I should ask about that might be worthwhile? Thanks for any info -- chris

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Could he have worms since he goes out?

There's always a chance it could be inflammatory bowel disease. From what I understand it's difficult to tell the difference between IBD and Lymphoma without a biopsy. Either way the steroids should hopefully make him more comfortable.

Doodad seems to be much, MUCH better. He is eating, using his litter box, going outside to play and gaining weight. He almost seems "normal" now. I gave hi steroids for a weeks, I have started phasing him off them now. If he continues to improve I am going to take him to my secondary vet and get an exam and opinion. The primary vet that did the ultrasound and x-ray sent me the summary (pathology) report and data on both tests and I have to admit it really looked like tumors/masses in the intestines. BUT, I discussed it with her in email and she admitted it could have been a severe intestinal inflammation that looked like tumors/cancer. Maybe Doodad got into something that caused a severe intestinal reaction, almost severe enough to kill him, and now he is recovering. Cats are tough that way. And he is still young and strong. I am hopeful but understand it could be a temporary improvement that doesn't change anything long term. But I am calling him my "Miracle Cat" anyway

This is excellent news!!

However, it may very well be an inflammatory reaction to a food he eats.

Your best bet is to feed him a canned only, single protein diet, one he has not had in the past.

Hopefully your vet has already gone over this with you

I am currently dealing with my cat, she has inflammed pancreas, intestines and lymph nodes. Thickened intestinal wall.

My ultrasound person is excellent, she is not only a vet, but for the past few years mainly goes around to other vet clinics to do ultrasounds.

She did NOT feel that my cat has lymphoma. She does feel that she has developed an allergic reaction, likely diet, as she was fed mostly chicken grain free for quite some time.

No telling for sure why she is inflammed like this, so calling it pancreatitis and IBD.