I have this cat problem. My most loving guy who I call Sluggie; named that because when he was still nursing and so fat, his bothers and sister were running on the walls. He was still dragging himself around on his belly. The older he got the skinner he has gotten. He is 3 ½ years old. He is with me constantly and demands I play with him. He does not eat much unless I sit with him. He is very picky about what he will eat, only dry food like meow mix, no meat or tuna; the others get to share a can of tuna every day. I thought he might have worms, but he has and does receive heart worm, tick and flea with wormer in it. I bought some tape worm medicine but with one application, there was no improvement. Thought I might get some ideas here before I have to take him to the vet.
Skinny cat
- Thread starter RJC
- Start date
Herbmountain
Inactive
He get's heartworm meds and flea and tick wormer? How often do you give him the flea and tick wormer?
Meow mix in my opinion is not a good food for any cat. It contains a syrup like additive that cat's like and is very bad for their teeth. Speaking of teeth. Take a look and see if he has any redness or inflammation of the gums. It is a possible sign of tooth decay which will make a cat not eat much...hurts too much.
Is he an indoor cat? If so there is no need to heartworm and worm him at all. And be careful of over the counter tape worm medicine. He is on a pretty good load of wormers. Now if there is a flea problem? Im assuming so, it would be better to treat the house and then the cat's but very carefully. To many people make the mistake of bathing with a flea shampoo and worming the same day.
Other signs of weight loss are kidney or liver problems. How is his consumption of water? Is his stool normal? No mucus or yellow color?
Meow mix in my opinion is not a good food for any cat. It contains a syrup like additive that cat's like and is very bad for their teeth. Speaking of teeth. Take a look and see if he has any redness or inflammation of the gums. It is a possible sign of tooth decay which will make a cat not eat much...hurts too much.
Is he an indoor cat? If so there is no need to heartworm and worm him at all. And be careful of over the counter tape worm medicine. He is on a pretty good load of wormers. Now if there is a flea problem? Im assuming so, it would be better to treat the house and then the cat's but very carefully. To many people make the mistake of bathing with a flea shampoo and worming the same day.
Other signs of weight loss are kidney or liver problems. How is his consumption of water? Is his stool normal? No mucus or yellow color?
Herbmountain
Thanks for your response.
About every 6 weeks, I give him a product called Revolution. It is external & applied between the shoulder blades. I don't like the product because it sees to burn him and make him delirious for a couple of hours. This medication is suppose to take care of ticks, fleas, heartworm, and some other worms. He has no evidence of worms. He has been getting the Meow mix only for the last few months because he seems to like it better than the Kirkland (Costco Brand) that he has always eaten. I don't like the Meow mix either, but I'll try anything to get him to eat better.
None of the cats seem to have fleas or worms. He and his brothers (2) live indoors but are free to roam outside. There are other neighborhood cats and some ferals but they all get along ok.
I checked his gums and he looks normal and healthy there. His water consumption seems sufficent, and his stools look normal. I'll check that first chance again.
Thanks for your response.
About every 6 weeks, I give him a product called Revolution. It is external & applied between the shoulder blades. I don't like the product because it sees to burn him and make him delirious for a couple of hours. This medication is suppose to take care of ticks, fleas, heartworm, and some other worms. He has no evidence of worms. He has been getting the Meow mix only for the last few months because he seems to like it better than the Kirkland (Costco Brand) that he has always eaten. I don't like the Meow mix either, but I'll try anything to get him to eat better.
None of the cats seem to have fleas or worms. He and his brothers (2) live indoors but are free to roam outside. There are other neighborhood cats and some ferals but they all get along ok.
I checked his gums and he looks normal and healthy there. His water consumption seems sufficent, and his stools look normal. I'll check that first chance again.
The problem might be tartar buildup on the teeth instead of direct gum involvement. Are all of his teeth squeaky white? One of my cats has to have her teeth cleaned at least once a year. It definitely makes a difference in what she is willing to eat. I suppose if this were the problem your cat would prefer the meat or tuna to the hard food, though.
My other cat has NEVER eaten anything other than kibble or canned cat food. (Well, except for nonfood items like ribbon and rubber bands...) She just doesn't recognize that stuff as food, and much prefers the kibble to canned food. Times that I have had to switch her to a different (leaner) kibble, I had to do it gradually, over a few weeks. Otherwise she wouldn't eat the new stuff at all. Meanwhile, her problem is obesity.
Some of the flea meds are very toxic. I don't recall if Revolution is one of them.
Tuna isn't a real good choice of foods for cats, at least not a constant diet.
My other cat has NEVER eaten anything other than kibble or canned cat food. (Well, except for nonfood items like ribbon and rubber bands...) She just doesn't recognize that stuff as food, and much prefers the kibble to canned food. Times that I have had to switch her to a different (leaner) kibble, I had to do it gradually, over a few weeks. Otherwise she wouldn't eat the new stuff at all. Meanwhile, her problem is obesity.
Some of the flea meds are very toxic. I don't recall if Revolution is one of them.
Tuna isn't a real good choice of foods for cats, at least not a constant diet.
Thanks Brooks for those points.
I feed 2 of my cats, my son's cat and a neighborhood cat out of one can of tuna, each day. Maybe two tablespoons a piece. It is cheaper then canned cat food (at Costco) and probably better then the canned cat food. There a lot of bad in canned cat food.
I feed 2 of my cats, my son's cat and a neighborhood cat out of one can of tuna, each day. Maybe two tablespoons a piece. It is cheaper then canned cat food (at Costco) and probably better then the canned cat food. There a lot of bad in canned cat food.
If I understand what you are saying, this cat never was quite "right"? Lacked energy the others in the litter had, lacked appetite always, etc?
Get off all the wormers, flea stuff, etc, unless he actually HAS fleas. I use the stuff sparingly only when necessary- it's all somewhat toxic, and more for some individual animals than others.
IMHO, it's way past time to get a vet's opinion here. My suspiscion is some type of chronic- probably congenital- problem. Very possibly a heart defect, although kidney or liver problems are also possible.
A home made "food" I've used on ill, convalescent and weak cats for years is a combination of milk, hard boiled egg, tuna fish and oatmeal. Usually with a dose of cat vitamins mixed in, and often with a teaspoon of cod liver oil added as well. While proportions may vary depending on the animal (kittens get more milk, for example) I figure 1/2 cup milk, 1 egg, 1 can tuna (in oil, if thats at all possible) and 1/2 cup cooked oatmeal. I usually mash it up with an egg beater, but for a small kitten or very weak cat will put it in a blender or food processor and make it into a thick liquid mush.
Canned cat food is something I avoid, always. Although there may be some good brands out there, most of it is made to appeal to *people*, and if you read the labels, you'll see that the nutrition is really lousy. Our cats thrive on the basic Sam's Club brand dry cat food, but they also get raw milk and various meats several times a week. When I butcher chickens, I cook the hearts and livers and chop them in the food processor, then freeze them and give them a small amount every couple of days. Right now they are working on a bunch of chicken I pulled off the bones when I made soup with the backs and necks.
Still, although cats can be picky eaters (if people allow them to!), this sounds like he's got a fairly severe health problem that needs addressing.
Summerthyme
Get off all the wormers, flea stuff, etc, unless he actually HAS fleas. I use the stuff sparingly only when necessary- it's all somewhat toxic, and more for some individual animals than others.
IMHO, it's way past time to get a vet's opinion here. My suspiscion is some type of chronic- probably congenital- problem. Very possibly a heart defect, although kidney or liver problems are also possible.
A home made "food" I've used on ill, convalescent and weak cats for years is a combination of milk, hard boiled egg, tuna fish and oatmeal. Usually with a dose of cat vitamins mixed in, and often with a teaspoon of cod liver oil added as well. While proportions may vary depending on the animal (kittens get more milk, for example) I figure 1/2 cup milk, 1 egg, 1 can tuna (in oil, if thats at all possible) and 1/2 cup cooked oatmeal. I usually mash it up with an egg beater, but for a small kitten or very weak cat will put it in a blender or food processor and make it into a thick liquid mush.
Canned cat food is something I avoid, always. Although there may be some good brands out there, most of it is made to appeal to *people*, and if you read the labels, you'll see that the nutrition is really lousy. Our cats thrive on the basic Sam's Club brand dry cat food, but they also get raw milk and various meats several times a week. When I butcher chickens, I cook the hearts and livers and chop them in the food processor, then freeze them and give them a small amount every couple of days. Right now they are working on a bunch of chicken I pulled off the bones when I made soup with the backs and necks.
Still, although cats can be picky eaters (if people allow them to!), this sounds like he's got a fairly severe health problem that needs addressing.
Summerthyme
Herbmountain
Inactive
RJC. Holy Crap. He get's delirious? Well there you go. That is just too much on- board and many cat's get sick from these piggy-back wormers and flea products.
Please stop the Revolution now. No application should ever cause this reaction. Now the burning might be the alcohol as the carrier and that will burn, but the other symptom's are not good.
Some wormer's that are over the counter should not be sold...in my opinion. Scarry stuff.
Please stop the Revolution now. No application should ever cause this reaction. Now the burning might be the alcohol as the carrier and that will burn, but the other symptom's are not good.
Some wormer's that are over the counter should not be sold...in my opinion. Scarry stuff.
Springledge
Membership Revoked
I am no expert, but I agree...get him off the flea and tick medication and see if he improves. We had a cat that kept getting thinner and thinner and we couldn't figure out why. One night my Mom had a dream that it was the flea collar that was making him go down hill. She got up and took his flea collar off and within a few days he was eating like a pig and fine again. Some cats are allergic or sensitive to chemicals just the way people are.
Also...I know this sounds like a weird thing, but if he goes outside a good bit...a cat will sometimes eat bugs in the summer. For some reason, some cats really love them. A bug has little nutritional value and a cat that eats bugs will loose weight because they fill up on the bugs and don't want regular food. This is just a thought and a "kind of" old wives tale, but I have found most of these "old wives tales are true.
Springledge
Also...I know this sounds like a weird thing, but if he goes outside a good bit...a cat will sometimes eat bugs in the summer. For some reason, some cats really love them. A bug has little nutritional value and a cat that eats bugs will loose weight because they fill up on the bugs and don't want regular food. This is just a thought and a "kind of" old wives tale, but I have found most of these "old wives tales are true.
Springledge
You know... this one has been worrying me. First, we need to know what you're calling "skinny"...
It *could* be simply that the cat is built like your typical Siamese or oriental type- long and lean and sinuous.
But healthy cats of that type have a good shine to their coat, and you CAN'T feel their ribs without having to work at it. (no, they shouldn't be buried in a layer of fat, but there SHOULD be at least a thin layer of flesh over them.
The other thing is... I doctored a neighbor's cat back to life literally from the dead... I mean, it was so thin and weak it couldn't raise it's head anymore. The cause? Hairballs. That cat was so clogged up that it couldn't eat at all... there was no room in the gut for food! I could FEEL the masses through the abdominal wall, and yes, it really SHOULD have been taken to a vet. But they didn't have any money, and they did have small kids who loved that blasted cat.
So I loaded it up with fresh pineapple juice (to help dissolve the hair) and then tons of hairball remedy (which is basically only a lubricant to help the mess slide out of the cat). And frequent hand feeding of that "porridge" formula I posted above... I mean, every 20 minutes or so, getting it to eat a teaspoon or so of food. Plus putting the WHO dehydration formula down it with an eyedropper until it got strong enough to lap water from a dish.
No, the cat shouldn't have been allowed to get that bad. And it really *should* have died- but cats do seem to have nine lives! Anyway, one sign we've seen in our long haired cats that seems to point towards hairballs, long before they really get ill from them is that they start hiding. They often will be found curled up in a dark, out of the way spot, and seem antisocial and have no real interest in life. I suspect they aren't feeling all that well, and their instinct to "hide so no predator will find you while you're sick" kicks in- but that only makes it worse, because they don't eat and they get weaker.
Please, if this one doesn't improve *a lot* after stopping all flea sprays, wormers, removing any flea collars (even from other household cats if they sleep together), see a vet. I'm still guessing from the brief history you gave that it's got something deeper wrong- very possibly from birth.
Summerthyme
It *could* be simply that the cat is built like your typical Siamese or oriental type- long and lean and sinuous.
But healthy cats of that type have a good shine to their coat, and you CAN'T feel their ribs without having to work at it. (no, they shouldn't be buried in a layer of fat, but there SHOULD be at least a thin layer of flesh over them.
The other thing is... I doctored a neighbor's cat back to life literally from the dead... I mean, it was so thin and weak it couldn't raise it's head anymore. The cause? Hairballs. That cat was so clogged up that it couldn't eat at all... there was no room in the gut for food! I could FEEL the masses through the abdominal wall, and yes, it really SHOULD have been taken to a vet. But they didn't have any money, and they did have small kids who loved that blasted cat.
So I loaded it up with fresh pineapple juice (to help dissolve the hair) and then tons of hairball remedy (which is basically only a lubricant to help the mess slide out of the cat). And frequent hand feeding of that "porridge" formula I posted above... I mean, every 20 minutes or so, getting it to eat a teaspoon or so of food. Plus putting the WHO dehydration formula down it with an eyedropper until it got strong enough to lap water from a dish.
No, the cat shouldn't have been allowed to get that bad. And it really *should* have died- but cats do seem to have nine lives! Anyway, one sign we've seen in our long haired cats that seems to point towards hairballs, long before they really get ill from them is that they start hiding. They often will be found curled up in a dark, out of the way spot, and seem antisocial and have no real interest in life. I suspect they aren't feeling all that well, and their instinct to "hide so no predator will find you while you're sick" kicks in- but that only makes it worse, because they don't eat and they get weaker.
Please, if this one doesn't improve *a lot* after stopping all flea sprays, wormers, removing any flea collars (even from other household cats if they sleep together), see a vet. I'm still guessing from the brief history you gave that it's got something deeper wrong- very possibly from birth.
Summerthyme
Summerthyme
Thanks for those thoughts, I have been to two stores looking for liquid vitamins for the food combo you gave. I was about to go out again to Walmart and maybe see if a vet was open to get the vitamins when I stopped here to check.
This Cat was "fuller" shall we say, when he was 1-2 years. His coat is not bad and he is of a sleak breed of solid black cat line. His brother is twice his volume.
His mother was a little solid black feral (somebody dumped) that we took care of when Sluggie and his 2 brothers and sister were born. We never could get momma cat domesticated. The three brothers I still have and the sister went to a good home.
I'm going to take him to a vet on Monday, but I'M afraid I'll just be throwing away money. It seems vets are alot like the doctors these days, just drug peddlers and guessing at that.
Thanks for those thoughts, I have been to two stores looking for liquid vitamins for the food combo you gave. I was about to go out again to Walmart and maybe see if a vet was open to get the vitamins when I stopped here to check.
This Cat was "fuller" shall we say, when he was 1-2 years. His coat is not bad and he is of a sleak breed of solid black cat line. His brother is twice his volume.
His mother was a little solid black feral (somebody dumped) that we took care of when Sluggie and his 2 brothers and sister were born. We never could get momma cat domesticated. The three brothers I still have and the sister went to a good home.
I'm going to take him to a vet on Monday, but I'M afraid I'll just be throwing away money. It seems vets are alot like the doctors these days, just drug peddlers and guessing at that.
Herbmountain
Inactive
Just offer the cat baby food. It is very nutritious and has the taurine cats need. Simple and you cannot mess up the dose of vitamins and cause a magnesium problem.
I still say it is the flea products. Red flag big time. The dilerium is what gives it away. Not normal at all. The vet also sells a semi-liquid nutrition called I believe, Nutri-gel. This has good supplementation for an ailing cat or cat that is losing weight.
Look at the gums. This is a good sign of what might be happening internally. Are the gums yellowish? Liver. You can do a capillary reflex test.
Push down lightly on the gum with one index finger. Let up and start counting the seconds. The gums should return to red in a second or so. This shows circulation too.
Look at the color of the flesh at the tip of the ears. They should show a nice pink color.
Also your can test hydration level. Pinch up the skin at the lower nape of the neck. It should drop down fast. With in 2-3 seconds. This shows good hydration. A cat that is dehydrated (also dogs), the skin will not come down or it will return slowly. This is bad. Hope your trip to the vet is well. Not all vets are money mongers and pill pushers. Many are very aware of the economy and have hearts of gold. Some charge less and make up the difference from their own pocket.
Check the color of the whites of the eyes at the bottom of the eyelid. It should be white with a little pink from vessels. No yellow color. When you see yellow in any of these places it is belirubin. This is secreted from a liver that is over-taxed. Again..liver problem and maybe kidney involved.
I still say it is the flea products. Red flag big time. The dilerium is what gives it away. Not normal at all. The vet also sells a semi-liquid nutrition called I believe, Nutri-gel. This has good supplementation for an ailing cat or cat that is losing weight.
Look at the gums. This is a good sign of what might be happening internally. Are the gums yellowish? Liver. You can do a capillary reflex test.
Push down lightly on the gum with one index finger. Let up and start counting the seconds. The gums should return to red in a second or so. This shows circulation too.
Look at the color of the flesh at the tip of the ears. They should show a nice pink color.
Also your can test hydration level. Pinch up the skin at the lower nape of the neck. It should drop down fast. With in 2-3 seconds. This shows good hydration. A cat that is dehydrated (also dogs), the skin will not come down or it will return slowly. This is bad. Hope your trip to the vet is well. Not all vets are money mongers and pill pushers. Many are very aware of the economy and have hearts of gold. Some charge less and make up the difference from their own pocket.
Check the color of the whites of the eyes at the bottom of the eyelid. It should be white with a little pink from vessels. No yellow color. When you see yellow in any of these places it is belirubin. This is secreted from a liver that is over-taxed. Again..liver problem and maybe kidney involved.
Herbmountain
You must be a vet. The vet examined my cat just as you described above. He said that he didn't think that there was anything wrong with him. He suggested I try to find some other food that the cat would like. Also he said he could do a complete blood work on him for $100.
I love my Sluggie but I wonder how much is reasonable to spend on a cat. I'll work at his diet and see if that will help. His brother Ace is like an Eygptian cat in the way he carries himself and sits and lays. Both are very shiny and sleak, but Sluggie is much smaller now. We'll see.
You must be a vet. The vet examined my cat just as you described above. He said that he didn't think that there was anything wrong with him. He suggested I try to find some other food that the cat would like. Also he said he could do a complete blood work on him for $100.
I love my Sluggie but I wonder how much is reasonable to spend on a cat. I'll work at his diet and see if that will help. His brother Ace is like an Eygptian cat in the way he carries himself and sits and lays. Both are very shiny and sleak, but Sluggie is much smaller now. We'll see.
Herbmountain
Inactive
Nope, but spent 10 years as a registered vet technician in emergency medicine. Saw so many cats made sick by home worming and flea dipping by clients. Some even died from the toxic effects.
This is why. Cats usually have a low content of water in their bodies and very little fat to take up the toxins. Something as small as a flea dip with powerful over-the-counter flea and worm products can put a cat down in 2 hours. They just cannot detoxify the chemicals and become over-loaded quickly. Dogs can take more...cats are different. Notice they do not drink huge amounts of water? The are good at conserving what little they drink...unless kidney problems.
If it were me? And I was worried? I would spend the $100.00 to see what is going on internally. This test will tell you if the liver enzymes are elevated, kidneys damaged and such. To me it would be a good safegard to diagnose properlly. Im my opinion, the fact that you have been treating your cat so much with flea and worm products? I would be suspicious of liver damage. It can be reversed so do not panic. A diet alone does not cause this unless the food your feeding is less than optimal. These cheap cat foods have all kinds of crap in them as fillers yet lack the necessary nutrition a cat needs. I would at least go to a feed store or grocery store and try to find Iams. I know. It is a commercial product but the better of many commercial products. Even better than the Purina foods. I really like Wysong but it too is expensive for those of us who have multiple cats.
Many waters are so chlorinated too. If you cannot drink from the tap, neither can your animals. I have a cockatoo that constantly pulled his feathers. I fed him from the tap. Started giving him the Britta filter water and feathers came back. The chlorine made him very itchy. Go figure.
Here is another example. I had a herbal friend...well educated and well intentioned. One of her students heard about using tea tree essential oil for fleas on dogs and cats. The student used tea tree essential all over the cat before a bath. It almost killed the cat. The cat never grew to her normal size and became stunted. The cat was lucky. It lived. But it was never right. A couple of years later it started having seizures and had to be put to sleep. Just be careful of what you put on your pets.
This is why. Cats usually have a low content of water in their bodies and very little fat to take up the toxins. Something as small as a flea dip with powerful over-the-counter flea and worm products can put a cat down in 2 hours. They just cannot detoxify the chemicals and become over-loaded quickly. Dogs can take more...cats are different. Notice they do not drink huge amounts of water? The are good at conserving what little they drink...unless kidney problems.
If it were me? And I was worried? I would spend the $100.00 to see what is going on internally. This test will tell you if the liver enzymes are elevated, kidneys damaged and such. To me it would be a good safegard to diagnose properlly. Im my opinion, the fact that you have been treating your cat so much with flea and worm products? I would be suspicious of liver damage. It can be reversed so do not panic. A diet alone does not cause this unless the food your feeding is less than optimal. These cheap cat foods have all kinds of crap in them as fillers yet lack the necessary nutrition a cat needs. I would at least go to a feed store or grocery store and try to find Iams. I know. It is a commercial product but the better of many commercial products. Even better than the Purina foods. I really like Wysong but it too is expensive for those of us who have multiple cats.
Many waters are so chlorinated too. If you cannot drink from the tap, neither can your animals. I have a cockatoo that constantly pulled his feathers. I fed him from the tap. Started giving him the Britta filter water and feathers came back. The chlorine made him very itchy. Go figure.
Here is another example. I had a herbal friend...well educated and well intentioned. One of her students heard about using tea tree essential oil for fleas on dogs and cats. The student used tea tree essential all over the cat before a bath. It almost killed the cat. The cat never grew to her normal size and became stunted. The cat was lucky. It lived. But it was never right. A couple of years later it started having seizures and had to be put to sleep. Just be careful of what you put on your pets.
RJC- if the vet doesn't think there is anything wrong with the cat, it means he can't be too skinny, then...
That's GOOD news.
I agree with Herbie- get him off all the extra stuff, and avoid spraying ANY organophosphate sprays in or around your house at all. Although Herbie is right that cats are especially sensitive to it- they really aren't that good for people, either! My husband is especially sensitive after years of being exposed to chemicals on the farm, and he *knows* if anything has been sprayed where he is- he gets flu=like symptoms, and also often feels very agitated and stressed... probably much like your Sluggie feels right before he gets the delerious behavior!
I would suggest making a weak milk thistle tea (you can find milk thistle capsules in any health food store) and adding it to his water or food. Small amounts so it doesn't put him off eating more than he already is. But I think Herbie is right that he probably has some liver damage, and milk thistle is THE best herb for helping livers heal themselves. If it makes him refuse to eat or drink, you'll have to forget that idea... but it's pretty mild tasting with very little odor, and I've given it to animals without any refusal problems before.
At this point, if money is limited (whose isn't!?) I'd say to put the money into good food, a vitamin supplement and skip the blood tests unless he really gets worse. If the vet didn't see anything overtly serious- no swollen glands or spleen, no signs of jaundice or anemia- except for something like feline leukemia, most of what would show up in the blood work is something you can assume is there because of the overuse of the flea meds. And removing them from his system, giving good food and some supportive herbs will probably do as well as any of the expensive meds the vet would likely prescribe if he sees abnormalities in the blood work.
Good luck
Summerthyme
That's GOOD news.
I agree with Herbie- get him off all the extra stuff, and avoid spraying ANY organophosphate sprays in or around your house at all. Although Herbie is right that cats are especially sensitive to it- they really aren't that good for people, either! My husband is especially sensitive after years of being exposed to chemicals on the farm, and he *knows* if anything has been sprayed where he is- he gets flu=like symptoms, and also often feels very agitated and stressed... probably much like your Sluggie feels right before he gets the delerious behavior!
I would suggest making a weak milk thistle tea (you can find milk thistle capsules in any health food store) and adding it to his water or food. Small amounts so it doesn't put him off eating more than he already is. But I think Herbie is right that he probably has some liver damage, and milk thistle is THE best herb for helping livers heal themselves. If it makes him refuse to eat or drink, you'll have to forget that idea... but it's pretty mild tasting with very little odor, and I've given it to animals without any refusal problems before.
At this point, if money is limited (whose isn't!?) I'd say to put the money into good food, a vitamin supplement and skip the blood tests unless he really gets worse. If the vet didn't see anything overtly serious- no swollen glands or spleen, no signs of jaundice or anemia- except for something like feline leukemia, most of what would show up in the blood work is something you can assume is there because of the overuse of the flea meds. And removing them from his system, giving good food and some supportive herbs will probably do as well as any of the expensive meds the vet would likely prescribe if he sees abnormalities in the blood work.
Good luck
Summerthyme
Herbmountain
Inactive
Summer I have to disagree with you at this point in time. Yes giving a good food is a good idea but;
If you have a cat that has been exposed to regular doses of flea and worm products the last thing you want to do is explode it into the blood stream from using thistle. Let the cat detoxify first...say a couple of months, then try the thistle. Milk thistle does help build new liver hepatocytes but it also cleanses the liver by increasing the flow out. The cat might already be liver compromised and this woud be a mistake. Even low doses of vitamins will hurt. Since the liver does most of the detoxing it needs to not have anything on-board to make it more difficult.
I still say...get the darn test.
If you have a cat that has been exposed to regular doses of flea and worm products the last thing you want to do is explode it into the blood stream from using thistle. Let the cat detoxify first...say a couple of months, then try the thistle. Milk thistle does help build new liver hepatocytes but it also cleanses the liver by increasing the flow out. The cat might already be liver compromised and this woud be a mistake. Even low doses of vitamins will hurt. Since the liver does most of the detoxing it needs to not have anything on-board to make it more difficult.
I still say...get the darn test.
Herbmountain and Summerthyme
Thank you both for your input, it has helped in discerning the vet's action as well as helped me to set a course.
I will try first to find other good quality foods he will eat and see if that will "fatten" him up a little.
The vet thought he had good muscle so that's good. But what I know is that this cat has lost a lot of weight thus my concern. I look at him in comparison with his brother, both solid black whereas their other brother had a different father as he is a black and white (Tuxcedo). The brother solid Black cat is not at all fat but maybe 50% heavier. When they were about 1 1/2 they both weighted about 9 pounds. Sluggie is now 9.15.
In one month I will weight him if he has lost or stayed the same I'll do the blood work.
I think you are both right he must of had an overload of toxins. The drug companies are going to kill us all and our pets too. They want this poison put on the cats every thirty days.
Thank you both for your input, it has helped in discerning the vet's action as well as helped me to set a course.
I will try first to find other good quality foods he will eat and see if that will "fatten" him up a little.
The vet thought he had good muscle so that's good. But what I know is that this cat has lost a lot of weight thus my concern. I look at him in comparison with his brother, both solid black whereas their other brother had a different father as he is a black and white (Tuxcedo). The brother solid Black cat is not at all fat but maybe 50% heavier. When they were about 1 1/2 they both weighted about 9 pounds. Sluggie is now 9.15.
In one month I will weight him if he has lost or stayed the same I'll do the blood work.
I think you are both right he must of had an overload of toxins. The drug companies are going to kill us all and our pets too. They want this poison put on the cats every thirty days.
Great thread! I always appreciate all the advice that HerbMountain and Summerthyme give and this is no different. I have to add a thought here though: I would keep this cat in the house while the other guys go out. While they're out, I would feed him and see if that doesn't help a bit (there may be some kind of competition going on that you're not seeing - maybe he feels stressed when he eats with the others). But my main point is to keep him inside for awhile just to make sure he's not getting into something while outside. This will also lessen the need for the flea "junk".
And on food? I look at my expenditures on food like this - it's cheaper to buy the better foods and keep the animals healthy than to spend $ at the vet because they're being fed crap. (Much the same view I have on organics for the family.) There's a HUGE difference in the good stuff vs. the cheap stuff for both pets and humans. I would even go so far as buying some poultry and boiling it for this cat. (Small amounts though as it might make him icky.) If you give it to him only, then you're looking at very little in that area. The baby food idea is a good one also. My great aunt used to work in pediatrics. She would bring home left over baby food for her cats and you have never seen prettier coats and sleeker cats! Magnificent! Good luck and let us know what happens - I like these threads because you can learn so much!
And on food? I look at my expenditures on food like this - it's cheaper to buy the better foods and keep the animals healthy than to spend $ at the vet because they're being fed crap. (Much the same view I have on organics for the family.) There's a HUGE difference in the good stuff vs. the cheap stuff for both pets and humans. I would even go so far as buying some poultry and boiling it for this cat. (Small amounts though as it might make him icky.) If you give it to him only, then you're looking at very little in that area. The baby food idea is a good one also. My great aunt used to work in pediatrics. She would bring home left over baby food for her cats and you have never seen prettier coats and sleeker cats! Magnificent! Good luck and let us know what happens - I like these threads because you can learn so much!
Herbmountain
Inactive
Good advice FireDance. There is one more thang that can interfere with a cat gaining weight. Tumors or growths in the intestinal tract. Did the vet do a fecal exam for parasites? I forgot to ask that one.
No but he asked for what that is worth. I cooked some chicken for him tonight and give it to him. He turned his nose up at it and walked away. I brought him back and sat with him and pet him and he ate more than I have seen him eat in a long time.Herbmountain said:
I feel silly but it seems more like it is an emotional problem here. Maybe I'll trade him in for a dog. We're human are we suppose to pay attention to emotional problems in animals?
SmokeyBear
"Need to Know"
"I love my Sluggie but I wonder how much is reasonable to spend on a cat."
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Well, that says it all! It seems to me that your love of Sluggie makes getting Sluggie as well as you possibly can crucial. Financially speaking.
But I worry when you say you may trade him in. Why would you trade him in? You don't know that dogs require even more attention? Is there a place that you know that will give Sluggie all the love, care and medical attention he deserves? Or will they simply put him to sleep?
The fact that you wrote about Sluggie here shows you want to help him and that's great. Yes, cats need love, too. Especially as they age and get ill. Sluggy is not 100 percent well most likely. Only blood tests can tell the vet what is the matter.
Has the vet mentioned hyperthyroidism? Appetite is initially very good but then it can diminish as the cat continues to loose weight, urinate and drink alot. They are also more vocal and attention seeking when they are hyperthyroid. It is a dangerous disease, and a specific blood test would determine that diagnosis, too. When you can, a full blood panel to rule out kidney and other problems plus the hyperthyroid test can help tell you what is amiss if anything with Sluggie.
Good luck to you and Sluggie. Please keep us posted, now that Sluggie is also in our hearts.
___________________________________________
Well, that says it all! It seems to me that your love of Sluggie makes getting Sluggie as well as you possibly can crucial. Financially speaking.
But I worry when you say you may trade him in. Why would you trade him in? You don't know that dogs require even more attention? Is there a place that you know that will give Sluggie all the love, care and medical attention he deserves? Or will they simply put him to sleep?
The fact that you wrote about Sluggie here shows you want to help him and that's great. Yes, cats need love, too. Especially as they age and get ill. Sluggy is not 100 percent well most likely. Only blood tests can tell the vet what is the matter.
Has the vet mentioned hyperthyroidism? Appetite is initially very good but then it can diminish as the cat continues to loose weight, urinate and drink alot. They are also more vocal and attention seeking when they are hyperthyroid. It is a dangerous disease, and a specific blood test would determine that diagnosis, too. When you can, a full blood panel to rule out kidney and other problems plus the hyperthyroid test can help tell you what is amiss if anything with Sluggie.
Good luck to you and Sluggie. Please keep us posted, now that Sluggie is also in our hearts.
SmokeyBear
I wouldn't trade him in for a dog, just kidding. Your comments are interesting.
I grew up on a farm and we were very pragmatic about animals.
I don't think he is well either, but I want to try to cook for him and given him the attention he needs while eating. It's interesting that you say "They are also more vocal and attention seeking when they are hyperthyroid." That is exactly how he is now, much more vocal and even comes to me to take him to eat.
I will give him a little while with some dedicated attention and see if he improves, if not he gets the blood test as you and others recommend.
Thanks
I wouldn't trade him in for a dog, just kidding. Your comments are interesting.
I grew up on a farm and we were very pragmatic about animals.
I don't think he is well either, but I want to try to cook for him and given him the attention he needs while eating. It's interesting that you say "They are also more vocal and attention seeking when they are hyperthyroid." That is exactly how he is now, much more vocal and even comes to me to take him to eat.
I will give him a little while with some dedicated attention and see if he improves, if not he gets the blood test as you and others recommend.
Thanks
RJC, I hope that was a joke as well. Your cat is a sentient creature fully capable of experiencing all of your emotions. It has nothing to do with pragmatism.RJC said:
You need to weigh him at least weekly. Once a month isn't nearly often enough to follow his progress or deterioration, and it is one of those diagnostics that doesn't cost you anything.
Beetree
That's interesting, because he is a bit of a bug eater. But he is much to skinny I think.
Brooks
Thanks for your pointer, I will weigh him frequently. As to emotions I know, this guy follows me around, demands a lot of affection, is anger with me if I pet another cat. He will intercept another cat by placing himself between the other cat and myself. He pouts if I give attention to another animal and will turn his back and pretend to ignore me. He takes me for walks and will run up a tree and jump around from limb to limb to show off for me. Oh do I know his emotions. BTW I have tried some different foods and combinations as well as baby food with a little success with baby food and chicken that I cook for him. He seems to be eating a little more dry food now as well. I'll weigh him tomorrow. Thanks.
That's interesting, because he is a bit of a bug eater. But he is much to skinny I think.
Brooks
Thanks for your pointer, I will weigh him frequently. As to emotions I know, this guy follows me around, demands a lot of affection, is anger with me if I pet another cat. He will intercept another cat by placing himself between the other cat and myself. He pouts if I give attention to another animal and will turn his back and pretend to ignore me. He takes me for walks and will run up a tree and jump around from limb to limb to show off for me. Oh do I know his emotions. BTW I have tried some different foods and combinations as well as baby food with a little success with baby food and chicken that I cook for him. He seems to be eating a little more dry food now as well. I'll weigh him tomorrow. Thanks.