Anorexic cat?

[mimitabby]

yeah, that's what i was thinking too. how old is she?

[emily_in_nc]

I don't think animals can have eating disorders! They are psychological in origin and unique to our freakish human culture. Definitely have your cat checked for hyperthyroidism, kidney/liver function, etc. Something is going on...

Good luck -- keep us posted.

Emily

[makbike]

I would have to agree with the others regarding a visit to the vet. Bloodwork and even an urinalysis is probably a good idea. Kidney disease, IBD, hyperthyroidism, dental disease, etc all come to mind. Check her water consumption, watch her litter box happens (frequency and volume), food consumption. If she does have some medical issue it is best to catch it early then to allow it to progress untreated. If the vet checks her out and all is normal then I would suggest visiting your local pet store and asking for sample bags of the foods they carry.

[RolliePollie]

I'm kind of going back and forth on the vet thing. Poor thing was very sick about 8 weeks ago, throwing up bile and very lethargic, and I took her to the vet and they couldn't figure out what was wrong with her. We decided maybe it was just a humongous hair ball and they gave her fluids under the skin and told me to give her as much Laxatone as she'd take. He recommended blood work, but I took her home and within 48 hours, she bounced back to her old self.

Ever since then we've been doing the Laxatone, which she loved up til the second tube. She's gained about half a pound, which is actually kind of a big percentage gain because she only weighs 6.5 pounds. She very energetic and alert and looks/acts healthy (except for the skinny part). So we haven't been back to the vet. She's only 9years old, which the vet says is early for kidney problems, but he was suspicious. I'm not noticing any difference in water consumption or the litter box. For now, I just want to wait and see. She's always been thin...her name is Quinn and we call her Thin Miss Quinn.

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I don't have any kids so my cats are like my children. I actually think having pets should be required for anyone who is going to become a parent!

[jesvetmed]

Rollie: How old is your kitty?
As a vet, I have to agree with the need for bloodwork and urinalysis. She could possibly have a little kidney problem going on -- it often can cause finicky eating as a first clinical sign. Hyperthyroid often starts as "overeating, yet losing weight"... later it can lead to not eating as well, but not at first.

Either way, with the history of vomiting, and weight loss, I'd highly recommend bloodwork. At least you will have a basis on which to rule out other problems, and concentrate on whatever else may be going on. And an x-ray can SOMETIMES be very useful, and other times not so much. Unfortunately, you don't know if they help until you've taken a look at them. So keep this open if no other answers show up.

And obviously, if she is outside / hunter, have her stools checked for worms, and consider routine deworming for roundworms and tapeworms just to cover your bases.

I hope you come up with some answers soon and that she is feeling better. She is a sweet looking girl!
Jes

[makbike]

RP, I've had cats who have developed early kidney disease at a young age. Both Scooter and Saw were diagnosed at age nine. If you catch kidney disease early there are a lot of things you can do for your buddy. If you let it advance treatment becomes more difficult.

[bmccasland]

Go for the blood work. I have one kitty with hyperthyroid, one with diabeties, and one young and overweight (Bonnie, Herald, and Calypso respectively). Three cats, three different diets. I get my exercise keeping Herald (diabetic cat) from eating out of Bonnie's bowl.

I'll have to try Iams for Bonnie. She doesn't seem to like Science Diet anymore, but tries to steal Herald's SD prescription food all the time. I try to tell her that she can have the high calorie food, doesn't need low fat!

Hope your kitty gets to feeling better.