older cat

I have a fifteen year old white cat. He is very skinny buts eat alot and still does not gain weight. Mostly moist because his teeth are not that good. i heard that is common in all white cats. I have to give him antirobe drops since I can't have his teeth removed because of his age and he has a heart murmer. I thought it could be a thyroid problem and took him to 3 different vets. None of them new what was wrong, one even said last January that he is a sick cat & I could have him put to sleep or bring him home to die. But she probably did not know he was always skinny. Anybody have any ideas or is it just old age. Thanks.

Have any of the vet done a senior panel and what were the results?

Thanks. I will call them tomorrow and see. I just told them his problems and they ran tests and said I see nothing wrong.

You may want to find a cats only doc, or a specialist. Ask them to start from scratch - senior panel including checking thyroid (keep in mind, that what is normal in the range of thyroid results may not be the best for an older cat. My vet began my oldest cat on medication for hyperthyroidism while his results were still high normal *because* he showed a clear upward trend in his results and had other symptoms that go along with hyperthyroidism). While the senior panel should give you kidney function results, it also helps to have the urine checked for specific gravity. Dilute urine, high creatine and bun, signs of anemia (decreased hemaglobin - aka Hgb - and hematocrit aka HCT), low potassium, high phosphrous, foamy white vomitting, so so appetite, hind end weakness, poor coat quality including spiky fur, constipation issues, increased water consumption and increased urinary output...all of these go along with Chronic Kidney failure.

Another thing to rule out is diabetes.

Ask for a copy of your test results also, it is your right to have, and it will help you keep track of changes, letting you compare test results from now to those in the future etc.

best wishes with your older fellow, I adore my oldest ones, but it is hard to see them age.

I would ask the vet if there is anything you can feed him or give him that might boost his weight or health- such as vitamins or food additives.