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Question

I have a 'ragdoll' male cat. He has a good appetite, but no matter how much he eats, he is vey skinny and won't gain weight. I have treated him for roundworms and now tapeworms. What could be wrong with him?

Submitted: 286 days and 13 hours ago.
Category: Cat
Value: $9
Status: CLOSED
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Optional Information

Age: 1; Male; Breed: ragdoll - or so I was told

Already Tried:
Have tried multiple types of cat food. He is eating 'Fancy Feast' at present. Has had some vomiting and diarrhea. Always hungry but never gains weight. Nothing but skin and bones. I have treated for roundworms and now tapeworms (3rd tablet will be given tomorrow morning).

Posted by ERAnimalNurse 286 days and 13 hours ago.

Info Request

Hello,

 

I am sorry your kitty is having trouble.

 

Does he go outside?

 

How often is he vomiting and having diarrhea?

 

How were the roundworms diagnosed? What did you use to treat with?

 

Has this kitten seen a vet yet?

 

has he been tested for leukemia and aids?

 

Is he neutered?

 

Let me know and I will try to help.....

286 days and 12 hours ago.

Reply

1) He does not go outside

2) Mainly after he takes the wormer

3) They were not diagnosed. He eats, but stays skinny. I treated the roundworms with D-worm (piperazine) and the tapeworms with Tradewinds Tape Worm Tabs (praziquantel) that I got from 'Tractor Supply' store

4) He has not been to a vet yet.

5) He had all the 'preventive' vaccinations.

6) He has not been tested for leukemia and aids?

7) He is neutered.

 

When he and his sister were purchased, I invested in a 'healthcare plan' for them. Each received all their vaccinations and spaying and neutering. The other surgery did not go well for my female kitten, so I have not been pleased with them. I do not trust to take them back. The 'healthcare plan' is now expired - this month. I just don't have faith in them afte what happened before during the surgery.

 

Gizmo (my sick male cat) does not have a 'round' belly. He is just 'skin and bones,' despite eating. He meows a lot, like he is in pain (especially at night).

 

Thank you

Accepted Answer

Thank you for the additional information. I am pretty worried about Gizmo. I know that you are not happy with the vet that did the spay for your other kitty, and you definitely should not go back there. But Gizmo desperately needs to be seen ASAP, and I recomend that you find another vet quickly to help him. While intestinal parasites are pretty normal in young kittens, they typically respond well to the medicines you have given, and I suspect that there is something much more serious going on with your handsome man. Viruses like feline aids and leukemia can afflict young kittens as well as older cats, and can cause a wide variety of symptoms. Kittens that eat well and don't gain any weight may have one of these viruses. Your vet can test for these with a simple blood test. Please see the following website for more information on feline aids.

 

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=O&C=O&A=1313

 

Please see the following website for more information on feline leukemia.

 

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=O&C=O&A=1482

 

Another illness I am concerned about is called feline infectious peritonitis. FIP is difficult to diagnose and the prognosis is very grave. Please see the following website for more information on FIP.

 

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=O&C=O&A=232

 

I really do understand how difficult it is to trust your babies to a vet and you should be very comfortable with the people you allow to care for your kitty. The medicines at tractor supply are not always the best choice as some can actually be toxic to cats, and at home treatments are not really advised. It is imperative to find a vet you are happy with because your cats are going to require regular veterinary care. The longer Gizmo goes without medical attention the more dehydrated and decompensated he will become and the more expensive and difficult it will be to make him well again. This holds true with all injury and illness, and your cats need to be seen by their vet at the earliest onset of any trouble. Please get Gizmo to a vet ASAP and let me know if I can be of further assistance. If this has been helpful, please hit the green accept button. Good luck!

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Expert: ERAnimalNurse
Pos. Feedback: 99.4 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 2/8/2009

Emergency Critical Care Nurse

16+ years of veterinary experience

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