8 Year Old Male Cat Is Very Sick
By dvmurphy
@dvmurphy (326)
United States
January 10, 2009 6:03am CST
I adopted my Smokeybear from our local shelter when he was a baby. He had been full of parasites and they had cleansed him of them but not the infection he ended up with. It cost me $300 to get him healthy again. When he was about 6 months old he started loosing weight and we found blood everywhere. Back to the vet, after tests we found out that the infection was back and that he was allergic to the wheat in his food. We changed his food to Purina ZD to rebuild his body and he had to take meds again. He has been heathly ever since until now. He has lost a ton of weight, sleeps all day, doesn't want to eat and drinks water like a camel. On top of this his beautiful coat has become dull and his hair is falling out and is really lifeless and dry and this old guy is very vane about his looks. He is blue gray Russian and Eyptian. He is my baby and my vet calls him her special needs kitty. I am taking him back to the vet. Do you think he may be a diabetic?
3 people like this
7 responses
@irisheyes (4370)
• United States
10 Jan 09
I don't know but it doesn't sound good. I hope everything works out all right here.
Don't mind me if I seem a little alarmist. Your cat will probalby be fine. He's survived a lot already and he is only 8 years old. My vet recently send a notice for my cat's check up and said something about him now being a senior kitty (he's 10 1/2) Ever since that notice I've been on pins and needles about his health. He's very healthy,albeit overweight, but I worry a lot cause I couldn't bear to loose him.
@dvmurphy (326)
• United States
10 Jan 09
I am extremely alarmed as his weight has went from 22 Lbs to 11 Lbs and it was a sudden drop, not gradual at all. His urine has a real strong ammonia smell to and he is dropping his back legs down and not wanting to get up very much, sleeps all the time. He has all the ear marks of feline diabetes but I am not taking any chances and he is going to the vet on Monday or emergency if my check gets here from my paypal account. The idiots don't recognise my credit union account so I had to send for a check. His testings are going to be high and the vets around here want paid before they even see your pet.
@winieann (234)
• Philippines
10 Jan 09
Poor kiity.. Take her to the vet!!! i didn't know cats can be diabetic too.
@dvmurphy (326)
• United States
10 Jan 09
He used to weigh 22 Lbs and now weighs 11 lbs! He is going to the vet Monday morning. I will have to let everyone know how he is and what is wrong with him. I didn't know until I adopted him that cats could have allergies to wheat, beef, eggs and milk either or the effects it could do to their body and health. They can even have reactions to preservatives in food and I was told that dry foods are the worst to feed him because they are grain sprayed with flavorings that appeal to their appetite. He will not eat anything though that is moist, canned or not dry. I have tried by not giving anything but an organic brand of canned food before and he turns his nose up and refuses to eat it, I mean for three days or more he will not eat.
@clarity (65)
• United States
10 Jan 09
This is so sad. He will need to go in and be checked again for parasites (bring a poop),thyroid problems, infections, urinary infections, or even cancer. I don't have any knowledge about the diabetic piece but it it worth finding out from the vet or try doing some online searching. Maybe, you need to change his food again or he needs suppliments. Wish you the best of luck.
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
10 Jan 09
You should definitely get your baby to the vet right away!!! It could be diabetes or possibly kidney failure. Your vet will know the best course of action to take care of your boy. I wish Smokey the best in his recovery!!!
@myskina (182)
• China
11 Jan 09
oh so sorry to hear that.everything is gonna be okey.don't worry.so amazing,but some cats around me maybe be very health.they both wild you know.well,maybe the wild are easy to adaptation the natural.sometimes i stay my house can hear them groan.i think they ```` make loving maybe lol.maybe hehe.
so everything is gonna be okey,trust me.
@chulce (1537)
• United States
10 Jan 09
You will probably want to ask your vet to check for diabetes, but also there maybe a chance he could have cancer as well.
Just like humans, it could be more than one problem, sometimes doctors overlook this fact and will only focus on one issue and not look for something else that may be the cause.
You might want to check into pet insurance. It might help to cut down your pet bills. Typically, you don't have to pay a co-pay like you do for the human doctors and for cats, the insurance is low cost, I think I have read it runs around 25-40 per month depending on the plan you pick out.
Many vets are now accepting it. You might want to see if your vet does as well.
@insulin (2479)
• Philippines
10 Jan 09
awww well you better bring him to the vet as soon as possilbe because we really don't know how he feels.I cannot say it is diabetes and only the professionals can say what it is until we get the result.I hope that he will be fine.God bless and have a nice day.;-0
