Hunger weight loss old cat
Cats do not get hypothyroidism except in one type of situation. Use a complete workup to uncover the possible cause. Feline weight loss, when unplanned, is something to be concerned about at any age. Many cat illnesses have weight loss as one of the primary symptoms. For example, I have heard it said that cats gain weight because they are hypothyroid. An arthritic or visually impaired cat may not be able to make it to food bowls that are difficult to access, such as on a countertop or in a dark basement. There are two exceptions to that: (1) the cats that steadily gain weight and become overweight, and (2) cats that have an illness. There is no disease in cats that causes weight gain. You may have read or heard otherwise, but this is simply not true. hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, malnutrition from malabsorption or maldigestion, internal parasites, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, nonsuppurative cholangitis-cholangiohepatitis complex) may have a normal or increased appetite. And if an owner reports that the cat is interested in food but is unable or reluctant to eat, consider dental disease, oral or pharyngeal masses or foreign bodies, chronic gingivitis-stomatitis, 1 or retrobulbar masses or abscesses. Naturally occurring hypothyroidism, if it does exist, is so rare that your chances of having a cat with that condition are pretty much nil. But weight loss is often a sign of underlying disease. Starting with a detailed history, work your way through a complete workup in these patients. I have seen misinformation in various places over the years about this subject. For instance, many believe that weight loss is a good sign, especially with the pet obesity epidemic. I have examined thousands of cats over the last 20 years and I have seen healthy cats come in year after year weighing the same, almost to the ounce. Unfortunately, there are many, many misconceptions about cat weight problems.
How to identify the cause of weight loss in geriatric cats. How much, where, and how often is the cat being fed. Unfortunately, weight changes in older cats are often attributed merely to aging, so clients may not seek veterinary care or veterinarians may inadvertently delay a diagnostic workup until marked weight loss is evident or additional clinical signs arise. Your cat, when healthy, will normally weigh the same year after year, except for those who gain weight. Weight loss occurs when more calories are expended than are consumed. Cat weight gain is cause for concern, but not because it indicates an illness. Clients may feed a weight-loss diet and continue it even after an optimal weight has been achieved. For example, in some households, pets compete for food, and underfeeding results. And an inability to smell food, the administration of certain medications, or a systemic illness can result in a decreased appetite, even in cats being fed a high-quality, palatable food. Also, many believe that a cat losing weight is a normal occurrence with age or is acceptable in small amounts, regardless of whether it is happening quickly or gradually over time. g. Good feline care includes knowing what a normal cat weight is for your feline and taking action when any cat weight loss occurs. Healthy animals can experience weight loss, but in a geriatric cat, a subtle decrease in weight can also be the first indication of illness. The other time I have heard a disease blamed for a cat being overweight is in association with diabetes. Keep in mind that a good appetite does not rule out disease, because cats with certain conditions ( e. Unfortunately, a cat losing weight is often a sick cat, and this key cat illness symptom is easy for many pet parents to miss. For example, cats with small intestinal disease may lose weight before exhibiting anorexia, vomiting, or diarrhea. However, as you will learn throughout this article, these things are often not true.
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