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Question

OUR CAT IS A 6 YR OLD NEUTERED MALE. SYMTOMS ARE WEIGHT LOSS BUT A LOT OF DRINKING AND URINATING. RECENTLY HAS BEEN URINATING OUTSIDE HIS BOX--LIKE
ON THE LIVING ROOM CARPETING.

Submitted: 69 days and 22 hours ago.
Category: Cat Veterinary
Value: $15
Status: CLOSED
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Optional Information

Type of Animal: 14 LB LONG HAIRED DOMESTIC
Gender: MALE
Age: ABOUT 7 YEARS

Already Tried:
JUST CHANGING FOOD. OUR VET THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE DIABEATUS
BUT WOULDN'T SWEAR TO IT. SHE SUGGESTED A FOOD CHANGE BUT THE CAT WOULD NOT EAT WHAT SHE SUGGESTED. THE CAT
HAS ONLY EATEN DRY FOOD SINCE WE HAVE HAD HIM AND SHE SUGGESTED TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF WET FOOD BUT HE WOULD
NOT EITHER. WE FOUND HE WOULD EAT A TYPE OF I-VET FOOD
WHICH HE IS NOW EATING.

Posted by Dr. Keri 69 days and 22 hours ago.

Answer

Hi XXXXXXX,

 

Given the age of your kitty and his symptoms, there could be more than one thing going on. There is a long list of things that cause increased water drinking and urinating, as well as inappropriate urinating.

 

If it were just the excessive thirst and urination habits I would say it is quite likely your kitty may have a bladder infection and I would recommend that you do a urinalysis. But given the weight loss too, I worry that there is more going on here.

 

Blood work would also be a good idea to rule out other things like diabetes, kidney dysfunction or liver dysfunction. I know he is quite young, but you can see these things in younger cats too.

 

I wish I could tell you which metabolic process is going on here, but unfortunately without a urinalysis and some blood work, it would be a complete guess.

 

I would love to know what his lab work reveals...good luck in pursuing this diagnosis. If you have other questions, feel free to write back.

 

 

ADDENDUM....I couldn't see your additional information until after I posted my response.

 

Did your vet do blood work and a urninalysis already? I agree that diabetes would be high on the list....but it is fairly easy to diagnose....what had been done already?



Edited by Dr. Keri on 9/14/2009 at 12:39 AM

69 days and 22 hours ago.

Reply

YES, THE VET DID DIAGNOSE A BLADDER INFECTION AND WE WENT THRU

TWO WEEKS OF ANTIBIOTICS. SHE DID DO BLOOD WORK BUT I DON'T HAVE

THE RESULTS BUT SHE DID GIVE A DIFFERENT FOOD. SHE THEN SAID

WE RETURN IN TWO WEEKS SHE SAID SHE WOULD CHECK FOR DIABEETUS

THE CAT APPEARS TO BE HEALTHY EXCEPT FOR THE DRINKING, WEIGHT LOSS

URINATING. GUESS HE CAN'T BE HEALTHY, CAN HE??

Accepted Answer

Okay, that helps.

 

I think your veterinarian is running the right tests. If she is suspcicious of diabetes there is a test you can run called "fructosamine" that gives you the average of the glucose levels over the last two weeks...so it eliminates the false positives we see in the clinic due to stress.

 

He could also have a recurrent bladder infection or crystals in his bladder that are causing his behavior. If his symptoms are returning, I would go in for you recheck sooner and request the fructosamine test and another urinalysis. If he does indeed have another bladder infection, it would be wise to culture the urine to find out what antibiotic is going to be most appropriate to treat it.

 

I hope this helps...you are already started down the right path. With a little more follow up, I believe you will have all the answers.

 

Good luck! Feel free to keep me posted.

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Expert: Dr. Keri
Pos. Feedback: 100.0 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 9/14/2009

Veterinarian

9 years of experience as a companion animal veterinarian with emphasis on nutrition and senior care.

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