Older cat loosing weight but eating well

My older male cat is 14 this year. He always was extremely fat. About 3monthes ago he for some reason lost alot of wieght. During that time his appitite decreased and he started drinking lots of water and going to the bathroom alot. Recently, his appetite has gotten back to normal and he eats almost 2 full bowls of dry cat food a day (plus treats). However, he is still really skinny. He still searches for water, but he does not drink as much as he did when he originally got sick. He goes to the bathroom frequently and when he poops, it's really large, almost like all the food he ate is going right through him. He seems happy enough, and while he is more lathargic than he was before he lost all the weight, he's relatively bright and his coat is healthy. He'll jump up in your lap and pur, so he does not act like he is in pain. Is he just aging? I avoided taking him to the vet in the first place because it troubles him so, and if he's just getting old/fadding away i did not want to stress him. Any of your older cats ever go though this?

Get him to the vet ASAP .. get a senior panel done

what is a senior panal? What could they do for him? I don't want to stress him taking him to the vet if they can not do anything.

he is exihibiting possible kidney or liver issues... senior panels check the basics in bloodwork and then the senior checks for organ function..
when was kitties last vet visit

He could have hyperthyrodism, so he needs to see the vet ASAP. My older cat had that and had to have one of his thyroid glands removed. It's very common in older cats.

I agree with having blood drawn for a "senior" panel (a series of blood laboratory analysis tests which check for abnormalities in the organs). The losing weight but eating well, drinking lots and peeing lots sound like diabetes to me. Your baby needs to see his vet.

I agree: to the vet, ASAP!

To me, it definitely sounds like a thyroid problem, but get an entire senior panel done.... my dog's 12 and kinda the opposite happened to her - she gained a whole lot of weight, but wasn't eating much and it turns out she has thyroid problems... right now, meds are fixing the problem and she's eating normally and lost a bunch of weight, so it sounds like your kitty may have the opposite of what my dog has (I can never remember which is which: HYPERthyroidism and HYPOthyroidism... ugh, my brain!)... but definitely get to the vet - a bit of vet-visit stress will be nothing compared to what may happen if you don't take him in at all... if he isn't already, the vet will probably suggest he get on a senior type of diet as well asap...

Another vote for a vet visit with senior panel!

Good luck and let us know how you make out!

Originally Posted by lacy859

what is a senior panal? What could they do for him? I don't want to stress him taking him to the vet if they can not do anything.

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I agree with having his thyroid and kidneys checked.

Let us know how it turns out.

You asked what could be done. If it's hyperthyroidism there are 3 options, the most affordable is medication, a very tiny, easy to give portion of a pill (depending on dose).

If it's diabetes and early, it may be possible to diet control it.

If it's kidney issues and early, there are a number of things that can be done including diet change, antacid's and phosphorous binders (can be sprinkled atop food) IF your vet recommends and phos level is high enough to warrant using a binder.

So....knowledge is more than power here, it is an improved quality and hopefully longer life for your pet than will happen if you do nothing.

Agreed - vet ASAP. It sounds like he may have diabetes or hyperthyroidism. Both are very treatable so the sooner you get him to the vet, the better off he'll be.

Another vote for the vet, here.

Remember, cats DON'T show signs of pain or illness easily.
They are too used to the very real threat that any sign
of weakness can be fata.

As they age, cats do need more care. There's a large range of things
that could be wrong with your cat, and a large range of things that
you can do over the next years to make life good for your cat.

Keep us posted, ok?

Good luck,

Carol

You have gotten a lot of good advise

Originally Posted by lacy859

what is a senior panal? What could they do for him? I don't want to stress him taking him to the vet if they can not do anything.

Click to expand...

To answer your question ; You will only know what can be done if you know what is wrong. Therefore I also suggest a Vet visit.

I agree with the others who said your cat needs to see the vet right away.
It could be the difference in life or death for your cat. Please don't wait.
Keep us posted how things go.