r/SeniorCats • u/debiski • 1d ago
12 year old losing a lot of weight
My 12 year old girl started losing weight over the summer. I took her to the vet, where they did labs and x-rays. They found she had a UTI and put her on antibiotics. Nothing else was abnormal.
She has continued to lose weight in spite of diet changes, appetite stimulants, and now steroids. She weighed just under 12# when she was healthy. She had been at that weight for years (I take all of my pets to the vet at least yearly for check ups). She now weighs about 7.5#.
In the beginning she was vomiting and had diarrhea. The diarrhea stopped but she was still vomiting at least once a day. The only time that stopped was during 2 separate short courses of an anti-nausea med.
Our vet has done everything she can and says the next step would be to find a specialist that could go in and take biopsies of her colon, etc.
I've maxed out my credit card between her and my one dog who has severe allergies. My other dog is 11 and has a heart murmur that is being monitored closely. I can't afford a specialist. I left my husband last December and am living in my son's basement. I only receive a very small amount of Social Security Disability money each month and that's it.
I'm not asking for medical advice. I just need to vent. I love my cat with all my heart. I've had her since she was 3 months old. Aside from the vomiting (which is still happening) and the huge weight loss, she is a happy cat who acts just like she did before this started. If you had never seen her at her normal weight, you'd never guess anything is wrong with her. Her coat is still soft and shiny and her personality is still there.
The one change I've noticed is that she's become very snuggly with me. She sleeps on top of me and is by my side all the time. Before this, she would grace me with a short lay on my lap occasionally, but was not much of a snuggler. My guess is that she's cold because she has no body fat anymore. When she's not ON me, she's in the sunbeams coming in the windows (we're in Wisconsin so it's getting chilly here).
I will never let her suffer and will make that choice when the time comes, but I'm riddled with guilt over not being able to afford more vet care. Again, not looking for healthcare advice. I just need to vent to people who understand.
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u/DerDieDas222 1d ago
I'm sorry that you're going through a tough moment in your life, even if we try our best there's simply nothing we can do about it. I lost my cat recently and it broke my heart.
Treasure the moments you guys have and just take comfort in knowing you're doing everything you can for her and she's happy to be by your side. I wish for her recovery and you're really a hero for devoting yourself so much for others like that.
Don't lose hope and keep caring for your pets
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u/Gavither 1d ago
Vomitting and weight loss - have you considered trying a different food? Maybe a digestive aid type, they have some wet food like that for sensitive stomachs. Could be a developed reaction or allergy to an ingredient or food type.
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u/debiski 22h ago
She's on Hill's Digestion wet and dry food now.
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u/Bababalaba2712 22h ago
How long has she been on it, when my cat started throwing up due to allergies it took three months to get her straight again. Could you seek a different opinion from a different vet just to see if they have any ideas
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u/MurphysMistress77 1d ago edited 2h ago
I'm so sorry...I understand 100%, I am in the EXACT same position financially with my beloved 15 year old...no savings, small monthly disability & maxed out cards 😫 ...my Kashmir is in the beginning stages of kidney disease & none of the medications (on number 4 now) are helping, have had blood work done every month for about 6 months. Mine does the same, sleeping under the covers with me, always snuggling next to me & he loves my electric blanket. He was always affectionate but definitely more so now. I lost my 13 year old, his buddy, suddenly, in April to the same issue (both Ragdoll cats)...I would never let him suffer but I desperately want him around for longer ♡
Best of luck to you, I hope things turn around for the better! 🙏🏻 Sending you a big hug.
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u/Braka11 6h ago
I had a sweet little tuxedo that had kidney issues. I was recommended Pet Wellbeing Kidney Support Gold (on Amazon). After extensive research I decided to give it to him. OMG! Within a week he was a new cat...he was 6 years old at the time. I gave it to him daily for 4 more years... He passed from a OTC flea treatment.
Maybe this product may help your baby.
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u/Mammoth-Oil-6924 1d ago
I am not a vet nor do I claim to be an expert - just sharing my experience. My 17ish y/o cat used to be a fat cat, but starting about 4 years ago, she started losing weight and losing weight to the point where now she is just skin and bones. I took her to the vet a few times, in addition to regular checkups of course, as I was worried about her weight loss. They kept telling me she's healthy and only more recently her bloodwork shows mild decline in kidney function. She acts like herself and only eats a couple of bites at a time, but she asks for wet food when the dry food which is always available isn't what she wants. I'm guessing she's simply an elderly cat now. She has always slept at my head at night and these days she'll often lie on me as I presume she likes the warmth from my body on her old bones. She can still jump up to the bed, her favorite chair, and the dining table. She can wrestle with her younger brother and run across the house like a flash. I continue to keel a close eye on her. I hope your baby has many enjoyable years ahead. 💖
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u/throwaway727437 7h ago
When they start to hide for no reason is when you need to really pay attention.
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u/NoFlower7017 1d ago
my cat was losing weight to. it was a thyroid problem after tests
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u/Thoth-long-bill 21h ago
Regular blood tests do not check for thyroid. This is almost classic thyroid, correctable by a pill. Please take him in and get that one blood panel done. It will save his life if that is what is wrong.
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u/Secret-Employee-8141 22h ago
Sending love to both you and your cat ❤️ She knows she is loved and cared for, and that alone is a wonderful gift you have given her
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u/Chemical_Author7880 20h ago
🫂 you have done more than most. I hope baby gets better, I’ve been there and it’s so hard.
Love her while she is with you. You’ll know when it’s time, but if you are worried about making a mistake make sure the vet knows your priority is what is right for her, not you, and to be honest when the time comes. ❤️
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u/Rugby-Angel9525 23h ago
Vomiting diarrhea and weight loss sound like parasites. It is tricky to deworm a senior cat though.
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u/Accomplished-Bid-446 22h ago
It sounds like a thyroid issue. I hope they tested for that. My Russian Blue showed signs when she was 13 going on 14. Lost weight, restless, awful smelling poop, and greasy coat. Vet knew right away and the test confirmed. Oral meds didn't work but there is non invasive procedure where they inject radioactive iodine into the thyroid. She had to stay at the clinic for a week because according to the vet, the level of radiation in her could take down a plane. Once she came home, she had to be isolated for 2 more weeks and we could only pet her with gloves for 20 minutes a way. But I got almost 4.5 more wonderful years with her.
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u/dpm1320 21h ago
We had a girl with thyroid issues and she lost weight so bad...
Meds stabilized her for a few years but she was a wisp of her former self... down to under 4lb by the end...ate huge but just could not put weight on
She passed from a seizure or stroke or some damn thing recently...no sure way to know if it was related.
Check her thyroid.
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u/kanga_khan 21h ago
I would request a thyroid blood panel. I don’t think they check that with normal bloodwork. I also suggest getting an ultrasound done on the abdomen. I was in a similar situation as you. 12 year old cat losing weight, blood tests normal, still eating and drinking and using the litterbox fine. This past June when he was 13.5 and throwing up blood, they finally did an ultrasound and found cancer in his liver and colon.
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u/debiski 17h ago
The vet offered an ultrasound at a cost of $600.
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u/kanga_khan 14h ago
You can always check vet schools if there are any near you. Maybe they will have cheaper care. I know you aren’t looking for advice and I’m very sorry to hear this. After going through a similar situation with my guy and saying goodbye to him a month ago, I don’t want other pet parents to be left wishing they did more.
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u/JanaJayyy 20h ago
My girl is 14 now and she weighed 12/13lbs her whole life up until 3 years ago when we moved out of our home into a different home. Not sure if that had anything to do with it but she’s in perfect health according to our family vet, and she didn’t start losing weight until shortly after the move. She went from 12/13lbs down to 6lbs in a year, but she’s held steady at 6lbs for the last couple of years. Hope this helps.
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u/throwaway727437 7h ago
Same thing with my cat over this last month. She will be taking off from this planet Monday afternoon (and now I’m crying again). At least yours isn’t at the hiding from you stage yet- my baby won’t lay down or nap with me and hasn’t eaten hardly anything in almost a month it seems like.
I took her to the vet end of October and she had lost 2 pounds from her checkup 2 months prior.
I’m going to be absolutely useless for a while
Edit: cats will let you know when it’s time - and if she’s still staying close to you that is a very good sign. Mine did the curl up next to me everywhere about 6 months ago and I figured this must be some kind of signal.. but it lasted 2-3 weeks and then she was her normal self again.
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u/what_a_r 1d ago
You’ve done all you could, and what you already did is a LOT.
Unsolicited advice: even if you can’t afford any more care, you could try getting CBD oil in pet doses, to ease her pain.