Declining older cat with weight loss

[4horses]

My elderly cat is in declining health. He stopped eating and I had to take him in. We are currently waiting on blood work results. He was severely dehydrated so the subcutaneous fluids have definitely helped.

He has been dropping weight despite being on medications for hyperthyroidism, and has had some sporadic vomiting. Possibly kidney disease, as he has excessive thirst. I am concerned about Lymphoma or something else wrong with the GI tract. They can’t do an ultrasound until the vet is in Friday who offers that.

I was very very close to electing to euthanize but they are hopeful the blood work will show something manageable. He is back home now and seems more alert (more interested in nibbling on food, but certainly not eating enough).

He needs calories and a couple lbs of weight. Despite the free for all buffet I have been offering, he just isn’t gaining and lost probably a pound in the last week (but that may be dehydration).

He is 14. I am wondering if I’m doing the right thing attempting treatment. He looks pretty rough but is moving around better this afternoon (climbing on and off the bed okay and using the litter box). But his eyes look sad.

I’m really hoping he keeps his food down. Right now he is only interested in canned tuna, but that’s better than not eating anything. I tried offering pork and chicken and beef but he turned his nose up. Canned food obviously is a pass.

[BatCoach]

Jingles for you and your boy.

I can only offer my experience in that sometimes these older kitties go downhill fast. I had to put own my heart kitty a few years ago - he was 13 but after a few months of gradually slowing down and vet visits to try to target what exactly was wrong, he was not responding to treatment there was a week where it was clear it was the end.

His appetite disappeared, and he could keep food or water down. He really was a shell of himself. I took him to different vets and we did x-ray, ultrasounds and blood tests, but nothing was a clear diagnosis. Pain meds didn’t seem to help and after a few days of being reliant on sub-q fluids he told me he was done. His spirit just wasn’t in his eyes - my former friendly and brave boy just wanted to hide under the bed. It was time - he made the choice very easy for me.

I really hope that the blood tests do show something and that your kitty responds to treatment and he bounces right back. However, in case the tests are not conclusive or if he is close to the Rainbow Bridge rest assured that other people have been down that road and we are here for you.

[Marla_100]

I have an almost 16 yr. old in the same boat
Right now “Motorboat” is doing pretty well.
She also has periods of kitty dementia, sleeping in new places and unstable appetite.
Her vet visit some weeks back was inconclusive and the vet didn’t believe her age as she looked pretty healthy. She has lost a bit of weight and
is now showing it.
Here’s a multi-vitamin/mineral we use that has
really seemed to help.
Nutri-Vet Paw Gel Salmon flavor, available on Amazon.
Jingling for your baby too.

[3PonyFarm]

Jingles for your kitty!

[LCDR]

On a positive note, one of my older guys had very similar signs. He had developed diabetes. On insulin he bounced back and had some good years left. Best wishes for your kitty.

[phantomhorse]

diabetes was my thought, too. finger crossed, as that is normally very treatable. many jingles for your kitty!

[ravenclaw]

Best wishes for you and your kitty. I hope the bloodwork will give you some answers and it will be something that can be treated. Fingers crossed for you!

[shiloh]

Poor kitty! I hope he is feeling a bit better and that the bloodwork gives you some answers.
Until then just give him what he wants. Also try some of little squeeze up treats and soups. Or baby food.

Jingling for kitty!

[goodhors]

Hoping you get some answers to help him. My older cat went thru a phase last year, lost weight, hair falling out, sleeping all the time. I changed her to a dry kitten chow for more calories. She did like it, eating picked up a lot. She did regain her weight and got back to normal over time. She had no other health issues though.

He might like the kitten chow, perhaps is a bit softer than regular dry cat chow. Best of luck with him.

[Eleanora]

hi I’m sorry to hear about your cat’s health. May be she has diabetes

[stargzng386]

Hyperthyroidism can cause all of this even being on the meds for it. Look into to radioactive iodine treatment it literally gave my cat a second life. She was thin, horrible coat just not well and after treatment you would have no idea. Active fat with a glossy coat.

[4horses]

The blood work showed he has kidney disease and some electrolyte abnormalities. They can do an ultrasound and additional testing but because he isn’t eating well, I’m not sure going down the rabbit hole of diagnostics makes sense.

He will go back in tomorrow for more subcutaneous fluids and a B12 injection. Started him on prednisolone. I may want to make sure he gets another dose of cerenia tomorrow as well. If no response to any of that, he’s going to be a hospice kitty and I’ll probably have him put down Friday or Saturday depending on how he does.

He is nibbling but he’s not getting enough.

[Alex_and_Bodie_s_Mom]

I’m so sorry. Kidney disease is the worst.

Depending on how far along it has progressed, it’s manageable for a while, but if he’s to this point, my guess is that he’s already end stage. The subQ’s help them feel a lot better, though

Ask your vet for mirtazipine. It can be a pill or a transdermal gel. It stimulates the appetite and helps with anxiety.

[candyappy]

I am sorry. Sounds like you are doing everything possible to help him and that should give you peace of mind.

I am glad that you are listening to what he is telling you and that if he doesn’t rebound you won’t make him hang on endlessly. I know how hard it is to let them go when we love them so much.

At 14 he has had a long life. Hopefully he will rebound and have more time with you.

[ravenclaw]

I’m so sorry to hear this. Kidney disease is a heartbreaker.

One of mine was diagnosed with late stage kidney disease. I took him to the vet one day while I was at work so they could give him IV fluids all day. Then I did daily subQ fluids with him. He lasted for about 6 months doing this and his quality of life was pretty good until the last few days. So I agree that the fluids can help a lot.

I hope you’ll be able to get him stabilized so you can have some more time together.

[3PonyFarm]

So very sorry that you are going through this with your kitty.

[rubygirl1968]

((((hugs))))

I hope he starts eating and feeling better. And jingles

[BrownDerby]

How is kitty today? Best wishes for whatever the outcome. I had to put my big house panther down at a young age; I just could not keep putting him through therapies that were not working. It broke my heart but was the right thing to do. Jingles for both of you.

[4horses]

He looked pretty poor yesterday evening but looked better this morning. He even ate a small can of cat food (70 calories) which is better than not eating at all. He had subcutaneous fluids yesterday. I cut the dosage on the thyroid medication in case it is upsetting his kidneys too much. We are taking it day by day.

I have an appointment set for tomorrow afternoon to have him put down but it depends on how he does the next 12 hours or so. If I’m reasonably certain he will stay comfortable on Sunday I don’t mind giving him more time.