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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / September 2003Skinny cat
Hi Group, As many of you know, I have 11 indoor cats, well, 10 now. Old Buster (a beautiful tuxedo male) passed away last weekend. He went in for a checkup (he was 16) last Friday, since I noticed he was eating less and had diarrhea. His blood work was normal and his kidneys were functioning fine -- the only thing the Vet was concerned about, was that he was having some trouble breathing. On Saturday I noticed him laying in my computer chair (his favorite place), and later he hopped down and laid down in his other favorite place, the hallway. No more than 5 minutes later I noticed him laying on his side with his mouth open... expired! He was a good ol' boy, and will be missed. Perhaps I'll post a "Buster story" at a later date... he was a lovable ol' character! Now the reason for my post... I am a bit nervous now... I have a little 2 yr old tortie female named Rhuni (roony) who is really petite -- like tiny -- but is really skinny as well. When I noticed the diarrhea in the litterboxes, I assumed it was Buster's, but now I am not so sure it was only his, as I was watching Rhuni do her business the other day and noticed hers was runny as well. She has a great appetite, is active, affectionate, grooms herself, and her fur is nice and shiny. She is just skinny, and has diarrhea. Does anyone have an idea what may be causing this? When asked, the Vet said she probably had a high metabolism (this was before I noticed the diarrhea). I'm not satisfied with this now, in light of buster's unexpected departure, and would like some of your opinions before I take her in. OB She should be seen by a vet and take in a stool sample.Could be parasites, or symptoms of an underlyng disease (ie hyperthyroidism, etc). Gail > Hi Group, > [quoted text clipped - 42 lines] > > OB I'm so sorry to hear you lost Buster. But what a wonderful way to go. Every cat should be so lucky. He was warm, fed, loved, and in familiar surroundings. But I know you'll miss him terribly. Sherry > I'm so sorry to hear you lost Buster. But what a wonderful way to go. Every cat > should be so lucky. He was warm, fed, loved, and in familiar surroundings. But > I know you'll miss him terribly. > > Sherry Thanks Sherry, It's always sad to loose an old friend, but on the other hand, he did live a full life, and passed without much trauma... the way I want to go :) We all miss him, including his four legged house- mates. OB > Hi Group, > [quoted text clipped - 42 lines] > > OB Since her stool is runny, it is best to take her in. She may not be absorbing nutrients from her food. SHe may need a different diet altogether. Keep us posted and sooo sorry to hear about Buster. Karen > > Hi Group, > > [quoted text clipped - 48 lines] > > Karen Thanks Karen, Buster was a real character... he'll be missed indeed! Rhuni is a total sweetie-pie... the only one who never gets into trouble... :) We'll see what the Vet has to say... thanks for the input. OB > Hi Group, > > As many of you know, I have 11 indoor cats, > well, 10 now. Old Buster (a beautiful tuxedo > male) passed away last weekend I'm so sorry about Buster. :( > Now the reason for my post... I am a bit > nervous now... I have a little 2 yr old tortie [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > > OB The fact that she has a great appetite shows she isn't nauseous which is good. My Shadow has chronic diarrhea and it makes him hungrier since the food goes right through him. I can't tell if his diarrhea contains undigested food because it's just too hard to see it in the litter. Vet will probably start her on Flagyl so I'd suggest you call the vet back and let them know about the diarrhea. In most cats this will wipe out any microorganisms causing the diarrhea. If not, then you have something more to go on. Vet will probably start her on Flagyl so I'd > suggest you call the vet back and let them know about the diarrhea. > In most cats this will wipe out any microorganisms causing the > diarrhea. If not, then you have something more to go on. Oops. As a followup Flagyl is really nasty bitter tasting so if they ask liquid or tablet, definitely get the tablets and put the half tab into a gelcap to keep her from foaming at the mouth and likely either spitting it out or getting sick to her tummy just from that. > Vet will probably start her on Flagyl so I'd > > suggest you call the vet back and let them know about the diarrhea. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > into a gelcap to keep her from foaming at the mouth and likely either > spitting it out or getting sick to her tummy just from that. The Vet gave a prescription for flagyl for Buster's diarrhea, so I have that. I'll see what he has to say after looking her over. I'm wracking my brain trying to remember your other cat's name... arrgh, another senior moment :0) I hope they are both well though... thanks for the input. BTW, Butchie is ovbiously upset regarding Buster... he's been insecure and needy all week - as if he isn't an attention hog in any case - but he's getting lotsa lovin' nonetheless... Butchie and Max are piled up at my feet right now :) OB > The Vet gave a prescription for flagyl for > Buster's diarrhea, so I have that. I'll see [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > senior moment :0) I hope they are both > well though... thanks for the input. Shamrock. :) Though now I have a third; Bonnie. She was caught in my trap when I was trapping some of the strays around here for neutering. I couldn't find a place for her and I hated risking her with FeLV but I couldn't release her with the older cats. She was just too small (about 4-6 months). She's vaccinated for FeLV now and I hope that keeps her healthy. > BTW, Butchie is ovbiously upset regarding > Buster... he's been insecure and needy all [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > OB I'm sorry for Butchie... poor lil guy. Shadow was very clingy after Marley passed, too.. even though they never really got along. Give Butchie and Max and the other 7 scritches from me and good luck with Rhuni > > The Vet gave a prescription for flagyl for > > Buster's diarrhea, so I have that. I'll see [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > just too small (about 4-6 months). She's vaccinated for FeLV now and > I hope that keeps her healthy. The 4 kittens that were born to Carrot shortly after the FeLV outbreak, are all healthy and happy... Sunny, the male (a golden Tabby with a white chin, chest, and sox), is an absolute delite, so I am happy we ended up keeping them. In any case, I suppose the vaccine must be at least somewhat effective. > > BTW, Butchie is ovbiously upset regarding > > Buster... he's been insecure and needy all [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > Butchie and Max and the other 7 scritches from me and good luck with > Rhuni Poor lil guy? <lol> When Rhuni is cuddled up next to Behemoth Butchie, she looks like a little kitten :-) But yes, he (along with the others) are getting lotsa extra attention, so they should be feeling secure again before too long... I hope! In any case, give Shadow, Shamrock, and Bonnie, scritches from me... and thanks for your kind thoughts. OB > The 4 kittens that were born to Carrot shortly > after the FeLV outbreak, are all healthy and [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > keeping them. In any case, I suppose the > vaccine must be at least somewhat effective. :) I'm counting on it. That is great news about the kittens! It seems it isn't as contagious as most people think, or maybe it is but a healthy immune system is key to begin with. > > The 4 kittens that were born to Carrot shortly > > after the FeLV outbreak, are all healthy and [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > seems it isn't as contagious as most people think, or maybe it is but > a healthy immune system is key to begin with. Well, they're no longer kittens :) but are a good bunch indeed... Who knows about immunity and the like... Augie was robust and healthy... I called him "little sausage" :) and Butchie was just the opposite, and quite prone to infections, yet it was Augie that succumbed to FeLV. Though Sunny has many personality traits that are similar to Augie's, I still miss the little guy! Take care... OB > Hi Group, His blood work was normal and his > kidneys were functioning fine -- the only thing > the Vet was concerned about, was that he > was having some trouble breathing. And what did your vet do about it? Did he x-ray Buster's chest to look for an enlarged heart and fluid in the lungs -- which occurs secondary to heart disease? On > Saturday I noticed him laying in my computer > chair (his favorite place), and later he hopped > down and laid down in his other favorite place, > the hallway. No more than 5 minutes later I > noticed him laying on his side with his mouth > open... expired! Several possibilities exist for the cause of death. However, due his age and gender, the most plausible explanation (to my mind) is suffocation from pulmonary edema. Diuretics and probably heart medications may have made Buster more comfortable and probably would have extended his life. Re: Rhuni > When asked, the Vet said she probably > had a high metabolism (this was before I > noticed the diarrhea). I'm not satisfied with > this now, in light of buster's unexpected > departure, I wouldn't be satisfied with that answer, either. and would like some of your > opinions before I take her in. Ollie, you need to find a new vet ASAP. I'm sorry about Buster. Best of luck. Phil. > > Hi Group, > > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > an enlarged heart and fluid in the lungs -- which occurs secondary to heart > disease? He did the blood work and a physical exam, then give him a shot of cortizone, and a prescription for Flagyl. He said to watch him over the weekend to see if there was any improvement... > On > > Saturday I noticed him laying in my computer [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > pulmonary edema. Diuretics and probably heart medications may have made > Buster more comfortable and probably would have extended his life. I assume by pulmonary edema you mean heart attack. This is my gut feeling... > Re: Rhuni > [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > Phil. Hi phil, This Vet has been very good up to this point... I'll see what he has to say about Rhuni before I make a deciaion to, say, get another opinion. Your input has been quite helpful though... many thanks. OB >Hi Group, > [quoted text clipped - 42 lines] > >OB Deepest sympathy. It is hard to lose a loved pet. >>She has a great appetite, is active, >>affectionate, grooms herself, and her fur >>is nice and shiny. She is just skinny, and >>has diarrhea. Does anyone have an idea >>what may be causing this? I would take her in, check her for worms, have bloodowrk done, and ask about diet information. I don't want to scare you, but I picked up a stray 3 years ago after he was hit by a car. He had broken jaw, and lost an eye, but he was healing well. He was very underweight, a walking skeleton. He was eating well and started to gain wait, then suddenly got sick. Vomiting and diarhea. The vet wormed him, gave him extra vitamins, and gave me some special food to help him, but after 3 days, he died. We don't know the exact cause, but regardless of what actually made him sick, he was already so underweight that he nothing left to rely on. A healthy animal can handle some diarhea and get well, but an animal that is already sick, can be at high risk. So, at the very least, rule out any diseases and worms, and see if you can put some weight on the cat. I have to admit, I am a bit biased. My first cat died at age 19 and was a very hard keeper. I worked hard to get her to eat (she was very finicky with very little appetite). And the stray cat was already so light (8 months, under 6 lbs, and longer than my 9lb cat). I made it a serious business to keep weight on my older cat who is currently 17 years old. He was always a lean cat, never underweight til this past year, but never overweight either. I noticed him losing weight thie year and experimented with different foods and feeding plans to keep weight on him. I finally found the ideal feeding system for him, and he has been at a good weight ever since. I would say he is plump for him, but not actually overweight. I can still feel his ribs. Anyway, since I have lost two skinny cats, I tend to be very nervous when they lose weight. Especially, when they are older or have some other health issue going on. Meghan & the Zoo Crew Equine and Pet Photography http://www.zoocrewphoto.com > Hi Group, > [quoted text clipped - 42 lines] > > OB So sorry to hear about Buster. :( He knew how loved he was, and now he'll watch over you. As for Rhuni, I think what Cheryl said makes sense and I hope things look more solid for her real soon! Karen |
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