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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / October 2003Unexplained weight loss in 8.5 yr old male cat
I've noticed lately that my 8.5 yr old male cat has lost weight so I decided to have him checked out. Upon weighing him at the vets office, it was discovered that he had lost 3 lbs. since his last exam in late June of this year. He was 11 lbs. in June; he is now 8 lbs. I should also say that during the past few days prior to bringing him in I had noticed that he had a slight decrease in appetite and drinking. My veternarian did a complete blood and urine workup on my cat and found nothing. She also did an x-ray of his body and said that although everything appears to be okay, she is concerned that she does not see a clear outline of his organs and has instructed me to take him for an abdominal ultrasound. Can anyone shed some light on what might be going on? Also, in his initial exam, he had no fever and his gums were pink. He was slightly dehydrated but the vet's office gave him some fluids and he did manage to eat some food for them. I'd appreciate any insight. >I've noticed lately that my 8.5 yr old male cat has lost weight so I >decided to have him checked out. Upon weighing him at the vets office, [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] >fluids and he did manage to eat some food for them. I'd appreciate any >insight. Did they test the thyroid? "m. L. Briggs" <mlbriggs@nospam.net> wrote in message > Did they test the thyroid? A great suggestion. I forgot about thyroid. From your post my guess is your cat developed adhesions. Surgery is usually necessary to correct this and to keep it from happening again, the common procedure here is to fill the abdominal cavity with an inert gas after stitching. This would give the tissues time to heal without touching each other, therefore without forming new adherences. The gas would slowly be absorbed by the tissues and eliminated by the lungs. http://www.fhradio.org/fm/archives/1994/1746(FM).html http://www.itmonline.org/arts/adhesions.htm http://www.dyspareunia.org/html/pelvic_adhesions.htm > From your post my guess is your cat developed adhesions. > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > http://www.itmonline.org/arts/adhesions.htm > http://www.dyspareunia.org/html/pelvic_adhesions.htm > From your post my guess is your cat developed adhesions. > Surgery is usually necessary to correct this and to keep it from [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > new adherences. The gas would slowly be absorbed by the tissues and > eliminated by the lungs. Sorry to interrupt, but I've never heard of this. Is is a new procedure? Is it used on humans? I have a personal reason to wonder... ~Shelly~ > > From your post my guess is your cat developed adhesions. > > Surgery is usually necessary to correct this and to keep it from [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > ~Shelly~ Don´t be sorry to interrupt, we are here to exchange info! :) I have seen that used here both in humans and pets. My cousin had some ovary cysts removed about two years ago and the doctor filled her belly up with some gas (can´t remember which) right after stiching her and told her it was to avoid adhesions. Her abdomen was really distended, she looked like she was 5 months pregnant and it took some weeks for her abdoment to go back to normal. I have seen it done on a dog too, about three months ago, also to avoid adhesions. The dog had undergone surgery exactly to cut the previous adhesions. In both cases, it was "routine procedure." Yesterday I read about new products to avoid adhesions (barriers made of a cloth that the body eventually absorbs) and if I´m not mistaken, a Swiss company is about to launch a gel for the same purpose. In pets, due to the cost of these barriers, using gas is more viable. The links I posted earlier discuss about these new products. Shelly, I did some Google search to see if I could find out the terms used for this procedure there and found two related terms: insufflation and pneumoperitoneum. I also found this: _____________________________________________________________________ Effects of carbon dioxide-saturated normal saline and Ringer's lactate on postsurgical adhesion formation in the rabbit. Sahakian V, Rogers RG, Halme J, Hulka J. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of combining carbon dioxide gas (CO2) with normal saline versus CO2 with lactated Ringer's solution on adhesion formation in the rabbit model. METHODS: Sixty New Zealand white rabbits underwent surgery based on a proven experimental adhesion model. Following abdominal closure, the animals were randomly assigned to three groups: Group 1 underwent abdominal CO2 insufflation only; group 2 underwent abdominal irrigation with CO2-saturated normal saline; group 3 underwent abdominal irrigation with CO2-saturated lactated Ringer's solution. Three weeks later, the rabbits were sacrificed and the adhesions were scored in a blinded fashion based on the extent, type, and tenacity, with a maximum possible score of 11. RESULTS: The mean (+/- standard deviation) adhesion scores were 7.75 +/- 2.82 in group 1, 7.85 +/- 2.58 in group 2, and 4.75 +/- 2.95 in group 3. There was no difference in severity of adhesions between groups 1 and 2. However, the mean adhesion score was significantly lower in group 3 (lactated Ringer's with CO2) than in either group 1 (CO2) or group 2 (normal saline with CO2) (P = .004 and P = .002, respectively). CONCLUSION: It appears that when CO2 is the insufflating gas, lactated Ringer's solution has a protective effect against adhesion formation in the rabbit model. __________________________________________________________________________ It seems this technique is (or was) somewhat routine there too. "Liz" <c864320@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:12c83831.0310250754.66ea5c2b@posting.google.com... > Yesterday I read about new products to avoid > adhesions (barriers made of a cloth that the body [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > barriers, using gas is more viable. The links I > posted earlier discuss about these new products. > Shelly, I did some Google search to see if I could > find out the terms used for this procedure there > and found two related terms: insufflation and > pneumoperitoneum. I also found this:... Thanks for your very informative answers! I'm definately going to read up on this some more. I'm sure you've helped more people than just me. ~Shelly~ > Thanks for your very informative answers! I'm definately going to > read up on this some more. I'm sure you've helped more people than > just me. > > ~Shelly~ You´re very welcome! I was impressed to see how common adhesions are. :( To add to m L Briggs, my own cat was down to 5 pounds and put on thyroid medication. She doubled her weight. You did say your cat had a complete blood work up and so I would think thyroid would be included but you never know. Also, no clear x-ray image? Is his abdomen swollen? Maybe you need to have another vet x-ray him on the chance that your vet's machine isn't working well. -- Barb I can only please one person a day. Today is not your day. Tomorrow doesn't look good either. circa Fri, 24 Oct 2003 11:04:41 -0500, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, Barb 1 (bguzzino@suffolk.lib.ny.us) said, > To add to m L Briggs, my own cat was down to 5 pounds and put on thyroid > medication. She doubled her weight. You did say your cat had a complete [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > another vet x-ray him on the chance that your vet's machine isn't working > well. Actually, both of those things- weight loss and unclear abdominal x- ray, were the first indications of Alex's lymphoma. I wouldn't necessarily dismiss it as a bad x-ray machine. BTW, Alex was euthanized on August 17th after two years battling his lymphoma. He was happy and active through most of the chemo and for the four months after the chemo ended, and his deterioration was mercifully short. I know that some of you have followed the Alex saga over the past couple of years, and thought I'd post the final update. Thanks to all who provided advice, information and support. The last pictures I took of Alex are here: http://www.dotphoto.com/go.asp?l=geekwench&AID=1006040 Laura  SignatureA proverb is a short sentence based on long experience. -Miguel de Cervantes << BTW, Alex was euthanized on August 17th after two years battling his lymphoma. >> I'm very sorry, Laura. I followed Alex's story all the time you posted here and know that you did everything possible for him. I know he knew he was loved and had a great life...but they're never here long enough. Candace (take the litter out before replying by e-mail) See my cats: http://photos.yahoo.com/maccandace "One does not meet oneself until one catches the reflection from an eye other than human." (Loren Eisely) << Thanks to all who provided advice, information and support. The last pictures I took of Alex are here: http://www.dotphoto.com/go.asp?l=geekwench&AID=1006040 >> Aww, and he looked very happy, too. Candace (take the litter out before replying by e-mail) See my cats: http://photos.yahoo.com/maccandace "One does not meet oneself until one catches the reflection from an eye other than human." (Loren Eisely) circa 26 Oct 2003 19:15:33 GMT, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, MacCandace (maccandace@aol.comlitter) said, > << Thanks to all who provided advice, information and support. The last > pictures I took of Alex are here: > > http://www.dotphoto.com/go.asp?l=geekwench&AID=1006040 >> > > Aww, and he looked very happy, too. He really was. Right up until a few days before he died, he would tear around here like a maniac, playing with anything and everything, meeting me at the door. He truly enjoyed his last days. Thanks. Laura SignatureI find that the further I go back, the better things were, whether they happened or not. -Mark Twain > BTW, Alex was euthanized on August 17th after two years battling his > lymphoma. He was happy and active through most of the chemo and for [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Laura I'm sorry about Alex. I remember when he began chemo & was doing so well, for so long. Am glad that he *did* do so well for a long time, & that the final decline was quick. As evidenced by the pics of him up on the mountains of moving boxes in July. :-) How do you like the new apt.? - the photos you posted before your move showed a gorgeous apt. Cathy -- "Staccato signals of constant information..." ("The Boy in the Bubble") Paul Simon circa Sun, 26 Oct 2003 16:25:56 -0500, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, Cathy Friedmann (clfr@adelphia.net) said, > I'm sorry about Alex. I remember when he began chemo & was doing so well, > for so long. Am glad that he *did* do so well for a long time, & that the > final decline was quick. As evidenced by the pics of him up on the > mountains of moving boxes in July. :-) Yep, he was still Alex, right up until the end. :-) I miss him, but I have no regrets. > How do you like the new apt.? - the photos you posted before your move > showed a gorgeous apt. I love it! I've still not done jack with it as it has taken me forever just to unpack and we're in the middle of a huge project at work, but soon, I hope... Laura SignatureI am Dyslexia of Borg, Your a.s will be laminated. > I've noticed lately that my 8.5 yr old male cat has lost weight so I > decided to have him checked out. Upon weighing him at the vets office, [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > fluids and he did manage to eat some food for them. I'd appreciate any > insight. Has anything around your house changed lately? Cats, particularly when they are older and well established in a place, can be very sensitive to change. Could he be grieving or missing someone? Is there any disruption around his food area that might put him off? With that much weight loss in that short a time I fear the cause may be organic, but am hoping it is just a little depression. Another thing that can cause cats to lose weight is hot weather and extra play. The summer heat (even indoors, as the ac could not keep up) and a new toy (feather on a string) made my Cheeks lose a pound in a couple of months and she only weighed 8 pounds. I hope your boy will be okay, and that it is something simple. Nothing has changed in particular that I can think of over the past few months. He has had some territorial marking issues in the past and after much hesitation, I started giving him Prozac back in the spring. It seemed to really work as I didn't notice him marking or sniffing around his usual spots like he used to do almost daily. About 6 weeks ago, I started to wean him off of the Prozac as I didn't want him on it and he seemed to be doing good. As I was weaning him off and giving him a pill every other day instead of every day, administering the pill became more and more difficult. He then began throwing it up as soon as I gave it to him not to mention really dreading me coming near him as he knew when pill time was. He has not had a pill in about 8-10 days and has also not marked. We do have two other cats but he is really not close to them at all - they are hubby's cats and were litter mates. He doesn't care for them but after living with them for 6 years, he has learned to co-habitate nicely with them. He likes to drink a lot of water (from the bathroom sink especially) and I had his blood checked in June for diabetes and he was negative. The blood test the other day did not include a test for thyroid but apparently the test in June did test the thyroid and it was fine. He has been eating some since he's been home from the vet's office but has been sleeping a lot. Maybe he was all nerved up from being there for a few days and is catching up on some z's. I have an appt. Monday morning for him to have an abdominal ultrasound. In the meantime, I've been offering him food frequently to see how much he'll eat. I was concerned that he has not had a bowel mvmt. in the past few days but the vet said to only worry if he starts vomiting at any time. I'm still baffled as to why he has lost so much weight. The poor thing is so sweet and my baaaaaaby!!!! I can feel his spine as I'm petting him. I really hope to get some answers on Monday. Thank you for all the responses. I will keep checking back. > Has anything around your house changed lately? Cats, particularly when > they are older and well established in a place, can be very sensitive [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > I hope your boy will be okay, and that it is something simple. >From: cheesensweets@charter.net (Lynn) >About 6 weeks ago, I started to wean him off of the Prozac as I didn't >want him on it and he seemed to be doing good. As I was weaning him [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >dreading me coming near him as he knew when pill time was. He has not >had a pill in about 8-10 days and has also not marked. Have you mentioned the Prozac to the vet? I thought I had read that Prozac can cause weight loss, but I'm not sure. ________ See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm << Have you mentioned the Prozac to the vet? I thought I had read that Prozac can cause weight loss, but I'm not sure. >> That is correct. It is sometimes used for that in humans but it also sometimes has the reverse effect of causing weight gain. Candace (take the litter out before replying by e-mail) See my cats: http://photos.yahoo.com/maccandace "One does not meet oneself until one catches the reflection from an eye other than human." (Loren Eisely) One of the side effects of prozac in cats is stomach upset. But you would think that if there was a problem it would show up when you started giving the prozac to your cat, not a few months later. Sue > << Have you mentioned the Prozac to the vet? I thought I had read that Prozac > can [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > "One does not meet oneself until one catches the reflection from an eye other > than human." (Loren Eisely) > I've noticed lately that my 8.5 yr old male cat has lost weight so I > decided to have him checked out. Upon weighing him at the vets office, [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > fluids and he did manage to eat some food for them. I'd appreciate any > insight. I don't know if chronic renal failure (CRF) can cause weight loss THAT suddenly, but it's something that should be checked, too. I think it'll show up in an ordinary blood test (elevated BUN and Creatinine, for starters). Hope everything works out for you and your cat, Warren Signature----------------------------------------------------------- Great gifts for cat lovers at http://www.officiallycute.com |
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