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Friend has a 14 yr old cat (Maine Coon). Used to be 33 lbs. Now 17 lbs. He has diarreah and it goes everywhere including walls. He seems more spunky since losing the weight. The diarreah has been for 2 weeks. Vet says not sure what is going on.
Optional Information: Type of Animal: cat Gender: male Age: 14 Name of Cat: Tubby
Hi,Welcome to Just Answer. Did your vet do any blood work or diagnostics on Tubby?
I don't think so
Ok. I tell my clients that when they have an older cat that is loosing weight and having diarrhea, I'm suspicious of the following things. 1) Hyperthyroidism http://www.VeterinaryPartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=5162) Diabetes http://www.VeterinaryPartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=6313) Chronic renal disease http://www.VeterinaryPartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&C=&A=2633&SourceID=4) Cancer 5) Intestinal parasites6) Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)http://www.VeterinaryPartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=598Of these, the first 3 can be screened for with blood work and a urine evaluation that your vet can run. Cancer is the one that at times is a diagnosis by exclusion when none of the others is found. Sometimes it can be found as a mass on palpation, or seen on x-rays. Sometimes it requires surgery to get biopsies to find it. The IBD is usually diagnosed by either biopsies or response to therapy. The parasitism can be screened for with a fecal analysis - but this is the lowest on the list. I would recommend getting your little one examined by your vet to see what they can find out and what they can do to help the situation out. I hope this helps, Dr. Bruce
This is my friend's cat. I think he is scared of what he will find out almost. He has been to vet and not getting better. Vet is starting him on prescription food this week. Sounds like he needs the blood, urine, and stool samples.
should the vet have done these samples already. Does he need to try another one and how do you find a cat vet assoc? We live in Nashville, TN
I have replied. I am not very good at this.
It is very logical for an owner to fear what may be found when a work up is done. I've had lots of owners in that situation. But, I will tell them, it is better to know what is going on and what we can best do to treat it than to ignore it and let our pet get worse. Benign neglect isn't a treatment, it is a choice. I would say that any good veterinarian would be able to do a proper work up with the blood and urinalysis evaluation. That is where the ball needs to be started rolling. After that, if no answer is found, then they can refer you to the person who can take it to the next level in the Nashville area.
Experience: 12 years of experience as a small animal veterinarian