Expert: Karen Craft - 10/2/2009

Question
QUESTION: Neutered Cat, 13 yrs old. Lost 1kg (2 pounds) in last year (now 4.4kg (9.7 pounds))and feels very bong, especially across his back and hips. His coat looks good & skin is dandruff free for 1st time in years and stools appear normal (previously had a little mucus & blood). Weight loss and the fact that he has had a temperture of 39-39.5 Celsius (102 - 103 F) for the last 3 weeks is a worry. Blood & urine tests show normal. What can cause this weight loss and temperature. He eats 'ok' although no longer is eating hard food, only tinned/packet soft food, and drinks water (sometimes from our pond but this has no chemicals in it).

ANSWER: Hi Nicole,


I'm not sure what bong means. It is hard to be specific with just a report of a low grade fever. What blood tests were done? Weight loss, dandruff fur, and temperature can be signs of hyperthyroidism. Is he drinking more water than usual? Could be Diabetes. Could be FIP. Could be cardiomyopathy. There are a lot of things that can be wrong.  

If your vet isn't able to help you I would suggest it is time for another vet. Sometimes a fresh set of eyes can make all the difference in the world. I wish I could help you further. Try another vet and see if he can help. Good luck.

Ciao, Karen


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I wanted to come back on this as things have progressed in that a diagnosis was given by the Vet 4 weeks ago but I don't see any improvement. X-ray of chest=normal, echo of abdomen=normal except slightly hardened kidneys, biopsy revealed nothing special. Second Blood work ruled out Cat aids but vet confirmed pancreatitis. Weight was down to 8.8 pounds (4 Kilo's), Tryplase (enzymes) capsules prescribed 1xday and Science Plan A/D food. Force feeding was necessary as he had stopped eating. Painkiller also given by injection. Things seemed to improve for 2 weeks but then went downhill again which seemed to coincide with medication finished. Vet visit confirmed lost more weight (but not dehydrated) and now down to 7.2 pounds. 2 more weeks Tryplase capsules prescribed and began further force feeding to ensure minimum 100 grams food per day ingested (no vomiting), average has been 120 - 150 grams although 1 day this week he did it without forcefeeding. He appeared to be in discomfort last week therefore Tramadol (morphine based) 0.175 3xday was prescribed. Tried this for 2 days but he didn't react well (very spaced out and coordination gone) so I stopped it 2 days ago. He appears to drink excessive amounts of water lately and urinates normally. He is skin and bones but continues to purr...no one can tell me if it's 'kinder' to call it a day so any advise welcome as I don't want him to suffer and don't want to drag it out if he is never going to improve. FYI, his temperature is 101-100F. Many thanks

Answer
Hi Nichole,

OK, I am not a vet but I will help with what I know. Usually with Pancreatitus the cat has a low temparature. Yours is normal. There is abdominal pain and bowel movements are very loose. Your cat didn't have that.

Did your vet say what caused the Pancreatitus?

The thing that I would worry about is the hardened kidneys. Sometimes, when this happens, it causes rises in amylase or lipase levels giving rise to misdiagnoses of Pancreatitus instead of kidney failure. His drinking a lot is also a clue that he might be in kidney failure. Did your vet check his Creatine levels? This is a good indication of problems with the kidneys.

If his kidneys are going there is a lot you can do to moderate the effects, especially with diet. I would take ask your vet about if this could be kidney failure instead of Pancreatitus. Kidney failure is a drawn out process. Fluid therapy, certain drugs and diet can help. Talk to your vet again or take him to another vet to be rechecked. As for not wanting to continue if he is not going to improve, if he is in kidney failure he will eventually die of it. But it not something you need to end your cats life for. Again, it can be moderated and your cat can live quite a while if he has it. Here's a link about Kidney failure in Cats, http://www.felinecrf.com/

Get him back to the original vet or another. There is nothing wrong with getting a second opinion. Let me know what happens. Good luck.

Ciao, Karen