13 Year old Having Eating Issues

I have a 13 year old cat who isn't eating. He used to be pretty fat and has lost a lot of weight (went from about 13 pounds to 9 pounds recently). A couple months ago we had switched foods and he hadn't been eating much since. We kept trying different foods just for him, as well as doing scheduled feedings, but it still hadn't helped. We took him to the vet because he was throwing up and they tested his blood and found nothing... Now we found a brand of food that he likes but still doesn't eat much. He seems very hungry all the time though he has access to the food. Today I tried giving him his favourite canned food and he sniffed it and kept meowing for food. I've been asking my mother to take him to the vet but she is reluctant because of how expensive it is. Recently I've seen him throwing up the food that he does eat. I now know for sure that I am going to take him to the vet but I'm not sure what to ask for, like certain tests. I don't want to be offered a pointless test that has nothing to do with his symptoms and pay hundreds of dollars for nothing. Are there any tests that would be important in figuring out the problem? I also researched online in that he could just be picky and that's what my mom believes but I really don't think that's the case.

Here are some problems that I've noticed recently (in list form)

1. Hasn't been eating much (even when he seems hungry with food accessible)
2. Will sometimes not eat his favourite canned food
3. Throws up the food he does eat
4. Also have noticed his right eye is watery sometimes (not sure what this is)

Another thing to note is that he had megacolon a couple years back so I'm not sure if that has something to do with it.

Thank you

Oh, sweetie, Once a cat has megacolon, they always have it.. it is a on-going chronic disease....it does not improve.. you have to keep watching your kitty for all the signs of it..

If he is vomiting up the food, and refusing to eat his favorite food, then he is probably nauseous...He needs something to help him with the nausea...

How are his poops??  If they are hard, or if he has not gone in a few days, then he could be constipated.. all the symptoms, except  the watery eyes, are signs of constipation....

He does need to be seen by a Vet. a good one.. My guess is that he needs to have an X-ray and a physical exam to see if he is constipated...

these are just my thoughts, especially since I have been going through similar stuff with my guy.. although, my guy is much much worse than yours...

If he is not constipated, these signs, especially the weight loss could be from something else...and something serious....... he needs the Vet...

I am sure someone with more knowledge will come on here, soon to help also....

((hugs))

Hope your cat is doing okay!   

If he had surgery and is now acting this way--well, that is even more reason to make an urgent appointment with your Vet...he needs to be checked out....

thanks for the good wishes...

What were his blood test results? Did they check a T4 to see if his hyperthyroid? What about his kidneys? It sounds like he's nauseated, I would ask about something like cerenia to help his appetite. Try baby food, chicken, turkey, beef, without onions or garlic, see if you can get him to eat. 

I just got his blood test results back and they found nothing abnormal. They gave me medication to help relieve his stomach and I've been giving it to him but he still throws up... They also did a urinary test and found no glucose in his urine. I will do some more research into helping him with his nausea (which is what I now think it is). I will definitely look into the baby food and ask about cerenia. Thank you!

He could be throwing up the food because he can't tolerate it. That will cause the nausea as well.  I would go back to what he was originally eating, or try a single source protein canned food.

That's a lot of weight to have lost. At that age health problems seem to arise. You said he had a colon surgery? I'd say maybe something pertaining to that. How are his teeth. I definitely wouldn't give him crunchy food at that age especially if he is vomiting. Liver tests maybe would be something I would ask about. It's sad when you don't have lots of money and a pet is sickly. I've been there. And a vet is expensive. It's not possible that he swallowed something? Has he has flea treatment put on lately? I have a dog and two cats that throw up for days from advantage flea treatment so I can't use it any more. When I use lusolnor pinesop the cats throw up also. Not every one of them but a few do. So I've switched to all natural cleaners. Sometimes it's something odd that you don't think about. If I give them meat that was wrapped in Saran plastic wrap. A few throw up. I don't blame them for that. The plastic wrap smells terrible
I wish you the best of luck with this. Maybe a second vet opinion. Make a call an just ask about fees before you make the appointment. Just mention your financial situation and. Don't be afraid to ask what certain tests will coat ahead of time. If it's too much go on to the next Vet. God Bless

Hi! Just an update on Max - every time I feed him some of the food recommended - he still throws up. His puke smells absolutely disgusting as well (I had first thought it was diarrhea). My mom researched and apparently it could be ulcers in his intestines. If that were the case, would he still be pooping? I've seen his poop in the litter box. I have no idea what to do. The vet gave us some medication for ulcers but he's still puking. I have no idea what else it could be. 

MandMS said:

 
Hi! Just an update on Max - every time I feed him some of the food recommended - he still throws up. His puke smells absolutely disgusting as well (I had first thought it was diarrhea). My mom researched and apparently it could be ulcers in his intestines. If that were the case, would he still be pooping? I've seen his poop in the litter box. I have no idea what to do. The vet gave us some medication for ulcers but he's still puking. I have no idea what else it could be. 

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What was his T4 level and his kidney levels? You should double check a T4 was actually done. It's an add on test and not part of basic blood work.

http://www.foodfurlife.com/my-cat-is-vomiting---what-do-i-do.html

They did test his T4 levels and kidney levels and they were all normal.

MandMS said:

 
They did test his T4 levels and kidney levels and they were all normal.

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You're not answering the question. The reason I'm asking for numbers is because even numbers in the "normal" range can indicate a problem. For example, older cats with grey zone or "high normal" T4 levels can have signs of hyper-t, like vomiting, indicating they're going into hyperthyrodism. You should get copies of all the labs done. 

I had a 12 year old cat who suddenly stopped eating but still ate small amounts. Bloodwork was normal at first, he'd gotten out so I took him to the ER to make sure he hadn't been hurt since he acted so freaked out when I found him. He lost 3 or 4 pounds within 2 weeks so I brought him back and his Bloodwork was still ok but then he was anemic so they did an x ray or ultrasound or CT I don remember which and he had cancer all over his stomach, intestines and liver. Within 2 days I had to euthanize him before he could see an oncologist as he drastically worsened. He'd had an annual vet exam with bloodwork 3 or four months before plus the ER visit and labs two weeks before at a top vet hospital complete with a trauma center and was pronounced healthy.
So I'd ask for an ultrasound, x ray or CT scan of his abdomen to see what's going on, whatever you can afford, especially where he's already colon issues and a history of surgery.
Good luck!

Hi! I will definitely do that. Everything seemed to be going well after giving him medication for ulcers - he had stopped vomiting for a couple days until this evening. I plan to take him to the vet tomorrow or Thursday and get an X-Ray done. Thank you so much!

My mom took Max to the vet and the doctor had no idea what was wrong with him. He did a thorough check of any blockages but couldn't find any. He did not recommend an X-ray and I tried telling my mother that I wanted one just to rule out any possibilities, but I wasn't there so I couldn't push for one. They gave him some new medication and if he still throws up we are to go back and get an ultrasound taken to see if there are any tumors. 

Has the cat's teeth ever been looked at by the vet? You'd be surprised how often painful dental problems are missed because many vets don't bother to check the teeth or even know what the signs of dental disease are.

Was diabetes ruled out with a fructosamine test? Sometimes glucose doesn't show up in the urine and the general glucose test included with routine blood work is not helpful.

Yes they said his teeth looked fine and they did not perform that kind of test. If this medication doesn't work then I'll make a list of things we haven't tried yet (eg. X-ray, and now the fructosamine test) as well as take him to a specialist to possibly perform an ultrasound and really figure out whats wrong. Thank you!