Cat losing weight

[Couleddie]

Our persian cat, who is 6, has never been that big but recently he seems to be getting thin. He's long haired so it's hard to notice visually but when you pick him up you can really feel his bone structure and he weighs nothing!

Eating normally and seems his usual happy self - albeit with the infamous persian dimness. He does hardly ever come in these days though.

Bit concerned as he seems to be gradually disappearing. Anything ideas?

 

[Apache]

These are the hardest questions to answer - without actually seeing the animal.

Has he been wormed recently?

Do you ever see him drink water?

Is he fed wet or dry food?

Are his vaccinations upto date and has he been done for Leukaemia?

Often when the weather is good cats spend more time outdoors hunting, roaming and fighting. The sudden increase in activity could be burning the extra calories. If he's a hunter he needs worming AT LEAST 4 times per year, possibly as often as once a month. If you've not wormed him this is the first thing you should do. Buy the wormer from your vet as petshop and supermarket wormers are not fit for purpose.

Is he moulting at the moment? If he is he's at risk of furballs. Some Katalax can help with this (available from vets/petshops). And could explain the problem, especially in a long haired cat.

If neither of the above fit then get him down to the vets. There are a number of more serious diseases he could be suffering from. Persion cats have a genetic predisposition to Poly-Cystic Kidney Disease and a blood test may be required.

 

[Couleddie]

We have four cats and they are fed a mixture Purina One dry food and sachets of wet food. We have a water drinking fountain which needs refilling every couple of days but it's impossible to tell which cats are drinking and how much, so that could be an issue. We had a persian some years ago which we rehomed from the RSPCA and he had a kidney/bladder disorder which, after almost

 

[Apache]

I'd make worming a priority

If you go to the vets let us know how you get on.

Those fountains are excellent, you are feeding good food too

 

[Couleddie]

The fountain is great, except when the kids empty a raspberry Angel Delight mix into it. I'm not sure but I think the cats would've preferred chocolate!

The Purina One seems to be the only dry food that doesn't make Fitz (the Persian) sick. An reason why dry food should do this or may he just be sensitive to certain foods?

Will be hopefully getting to the vet within the next couple of days. Will post update as and when.

By the way, he's called Fitz after the character in Cracker played by Robbie Coltrane because he looks like him. :^O

 

[Apache]

The Purina One seems to be the only dry food that doesn't make Fitz (the Persian) sick. An reason why dry food should do this or may he just be sensitive to certain foods?

There can be all sorts of crap in cat and dog foods to bulk them out.

The general rule is the more you pay for it the better quality the ingredients!

Purina/Iams/Eukanuba/Hills all good foods

Genuine dietry insensitivites do occur!

 

[Couleddie]

Taken a bit of a sad turn this. Haven't seen him for 6 days now. Usually sits under the cars parked outside our house (end of a cul-de-sac) and always wanders out in front of my car when I drive up. No sightings since last Wednesday. He has taken a couple of 'vacations' before but not this long. Going to ring RSPCA today to check if he's been brought in and then possibly drop some notes in neighbours houses. He's really well known in the area so someone may have taken him in.

I'm resigning myself to the possibility that he may have died. I know that cats do take themselves off somewhere quiet when they're not well.

Not been a good time recently as we had another cat put down only 6 weeks ago. Down to three now.

 

[Apache]

Taken a bit of a sad turn this. Haven't seen him for 6 days now. Usually sits under the cars parked outside our house (end of a cul-de-sac) and always wanders out in front of my car when I drive up. No sightings since last Wednesday. He has taken a couple of 'vacations' before but not this long. Going to ring RSPCA today to check if he's been brought in and then possibly drop some notes in neighbours houses. He's really well known in the area so someone may have taken him in.I'm resigning myself to the possibility that he may have died. I know that cats do take themselves off somewhere quiet when they're not well.

Not been a good time recently as we had another cat put down only 6 weeks ago. Down to three now.

Doesn't sound too good

Sometimes they show up.

Keep us informed :|

 

[a1]

Our neighbours cat came home after he went missing for a while.

Minus his collar, neighbour believes he was stuck in a fence or something.

It is not uncommon for any animal to be locked in garages, accidently.

Has a neighbour gone on holiday or something?

Just a thought.

Hope you find him soon.

 

[Andy™]

It is not uncommon for any animal to be locked in garages, accidently.

or a container

 

[Couleddie]

Good news (or bad depending on which way you look at it). He's moved house. I know the housing market's a bit slow at the moment and maybe it's his way of helping the economy.

Can't say I blame him. Wish I could do the same. Get away from those hideous kids for a while who are

a pain in the posterior.

 

[Apache]

Thanks for letting us know

 

[Couleddie]

Just thought i'd pass on the sad news that the 'new' owners took Fitz to the vets on Wednesday and after a few tests diagnosed liver failure (they estimated about 70%). Away on course and wasn't able to get back home so had to make the decision to say goodbye to a much loved pet. He was in a bad way so we felt it was the best thing to do. Very sad as the vet had said how affectionate he was even though he was in such discomfort. Had him since a kitten and always knew he was the runt of the litter (that's what gave him character) but it's still come as a shock as he was such a good natured animal. Been a bad year as this is the second cat we've lost in 3 months. Will be getting another persian sometime in the future but for now we have three moggies to keep us company.

 

[Apache]

Sorry to hear. Hope you are ok?

Sounds like you had a well loved cat.

 

[Couleddie]

Yeah, we miss him a lot. He was a real character. One thing that is making us laugh is my eldest son, who is autistic, keeps saying he's gone to see Bob (the cat who died earlier this year), Winston (persian who died 7 years ago) and Michael Jackson (some bloke who died a few weeks back). In fact, anyone who is unfortunate enough to be dead will be there. Probably bumped into Elvis by now.

My youngest says the angels will be giving him a stroke. Funny that, that's what I feel i'm going to have when the kids are about!!