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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
   
Location: Phoenix | Hoping you guys can provide some advice for our elderly cat. We are getting her to the vet sometime this week...I suspect kidney and thyroid problems.. She's 10-14 years old, indoor cat, super athletic and healthy but this last month has been throwing up her food intermittently. This weekend she puked up everything she ate and was not happy. We started cooking chicken for her and serving it pretty warm so she doesn't inhale it. We also started separating the 2 cats during feeding time. She's kept all the chicken down so far but I know she can't live on this forever. She's always been skinny but now she is skin and bones. We were feeding wet Friskies and no matter the flavor it doesn't agree with her. She gets free choice dry food but she doesn't scarf that down like she does the wet. It's expensive grain-free food too.
Is there anything we can feed her in the meantime to help? Any wet food that is recommended? Or food we can cook up? She's clear eyed and alert but so so skinny. Thanks in advance for your help! |
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 Total Germophobe
Posts: 6443
 
Location: Montana | I have no advice, but I have sympathy for you. We have been having the same issues with our cat, only our's has been always been chunky and still is a good weight. We have tried switching up her food (we went fro Meow Mix to Friskies and Purina and it has improved a little), we notice human food (i.e. home cooked meats) sometimes makes it worse with our's. We aren't sure what to do with her either, as she seems to be completely healthy and happy otherwise, and she seems to be getting plenty of nutrients. Its difficult because we have had her since she was a kitten, and she is now 13 years old. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 695
Location: Windoming | Our older cat started throwing up everything too, and was losing weight. (We were feeding wet Friskies also, along with dry food) And we noticed that she was making frequent trips to get a drink of water. She was clear eyed and alert also. It turned out to be her kidneys. Took her to vet where she spent a week on IVs. Then we were supposed to continue with IVs every three days. We did it for about a month, but it was very painful for her, so we made the hard decision to let her go. In hindsight, we should have done it right at the first, but just couldn't bear to part with her. It was also very expensive. We also tried the kidney care dry and wet cat foods, she wouldn't eat it. If it is kidneys, eating makes them nauseous, no matter what they eat. Good luck with your baby.
Edited by Silly Filly 2016-09-12 10:52 AM
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 Too Skinny
Posts: 8009
Location: LA Lower Alabama | No advice other than hugs till you get her to the doc. Obviously hair balls are an issue in cats from time to time and hopefully its that simple!
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Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | Silly Filly - 2016-09-12 8:51 AM Our older cat started throwing up everything too, and was losing weight. (We were feeding wet Friskies also, along with dry food) And we noticed that she was making frequent trips to get a drink of water. She was clear eyed and alert also. It turned out to be her kidneys. Took her to vet where she spent a week on IVs. Then we were supposed to continue with IVs every three days. We did it for about a month, but it was very painful for her, so we made the hard decision to let her go. In hindsight, we should have done it right at the first, but just couldn't bear to part with her. It was also very expensive. We also tried the kidney care dry and wet cat foods, she wouldn't eat it. If it is kidneys, eating makes them nauseous, no matter what they eat. Good luck with your baby.
Oh yuck that's not what I want to hear; but thank you for mentioning it. Based off of what I read I suspected kidneys but hopefully we can treat it? She's drinking but I can tell she's dehydrated. Hopefully with a diet change we can keep her going a bit longer. She's such a doll!
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 Reaching for the stars....
Posts: 12708
| hammer_time - 2016-09-12 2:15 PM Silly Filly - 2016-09-12 8:51 AM Our older cat started throwing up everything too, and was losing weight. (We were feeding wet Friskies also, along with dry food) And we noticed that she was making frequent trips to get a drink of water. She was clear eyed and alert also. It turned out to be her kidneys. Took her to vet where she spent a week on IVs. Then we were supposed to continue with IVs every three days. We did it for about a month, but it was very painful for her, so we made the hard decision to let her go. In hindsight, we should have done it right at the first, but just couldn't bear to part with her. It was also very expensive. We also tried the kidney care dry and wet cat foods, she wouldn't eat it. If it is kidneys, eating makes them nauseous, no matter what they eat. Good luck with your baby. Oh yuck that's not what I want to hear; but thank you for mentioning it. Based off of what I read I suspected kidneys but hopefully we can treat it? She's drinking but I can tell she's dehydrated. Hopefully with a diet change we can keep her going a bit longer. She's such a doll!
I have read and talked to my vet much about cats. From what both the articles I've read, and vet said, cats hide weaknesses better than most creatures. By the time they are symptomatic with kidney failure it is mostly time to let go.
I know this is so not what you want to hear. Run some tests, it could be something else! We thought one was a goner, 6 years ago, and only now do I begin to think she might be nearing her last leg, at age 20.
Many prayers to you and your kitty. |
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 Country Fried Chicken Gal
Posts: 7697
| hammer_time - 2016-09-12 1:15 PM Silly Filly - 2016-09-12 8:51 AM Our older cat started throwing up everything too, and was losing weight. (We were feeding wet Friskies also, along with dry food) And we noticed that she was making frequent trips to get a drink of water. She was clear eyed and alert also. It turned out to be her kidneys. Took her to vet where she spent a week on IVs. Then we were supposed to continue with IVs every three days. We did it for about a month, but it was very painful for her, so we made the hard decision to let her go. In hindsight, we should have done it right at the first, but just couldn't bear to part with her. It was also very expensive. We also tried the kidney care dry and wet cat foods, she wouldn't eat it. If it is kidneys, eating makes them nauseous, no matter what they eat. Good luck with your baby. Oh yuck that's not what I want to hear; but thank you for mentioning it. Based off of what I read I suspected kidneys but hopefully we can treat it? She's drinking but I can tell she's dehydrated. Hopefully with a diet change we can keep her going a bit longer. She's such a doll!
She's beautiful! |
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  Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | Sounds like something more but cats can only handle a small amount of food at a time.. then they puke.. but once there stomach has issues and gag throwup its hard to stop.. the vet gave mine a shot of something and it lasted 24 hours but broke the cycle of stomach vomiting.. and no issues since.. im sure thats not yours issue but just posting for info.. praying for your kitty.. feline luek can cause it to.. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Silly Filly - 2016-09-12 10:51 AM Our older cat started throwing up everything too, and was losing weight. (We were feeding wet Friskies also, along with dry food) And we noticed that she was making frequent trips to get a drink of water. She was clear eyed and alert also. It turned out to be her kidneys. Took her to vet where she spent a week on IVs. Then we were supposed to continue with IVs every three days. We did it for about a month, but it was very painful for her, so we made the hard decision to let her go. In hindsight, we should have done it right at the first, but just couldn't bear to part with her. It was also very expensive. We also tried the kidney care dry and wet cat foods, she wouldn't eat it. If it is kidneys, eating makes them nauseous, no matter what they eat. Good luck with your baby.
My male cat did the same thing, he drank alot of water and was losing weight did eat but poor baby had a hard time, was going back and froth to vet but he was in so much pain and finally had to do what was right for him, there was no way of getting around kidney failure, and he was just wasting away, that was the hardest thing I had to do in a long time he was only 9 years old.
Hope that your cat gets better OP, hate that this happens but it does, maybe vet will have something good to tell you and he can help your kitty. Hugs for kitty  |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | I am so sorry for you and your baby. . . I had a female Siamese that had these exact symptoms, and it was her kidneys. I did anything I could think to get her to eat, but even if she acted interested and tried some of it, it came right back up. She got to be so skinny that I knew I had to do the right, hard thing. She was 18. Chandler's male Siamese was around 9 when he started this. We took him to the vet and she said kidneys, but also ran some more tests and came back cancer. . . He got to where he would lay by his food and water dish and just look at them. Broke our hearts not only because we knew we were losing Snowy, but Chandler had just lost his father plus he and my parents were staying at our deer camp because the house just flooded.
My prayer is that your kitty has a total different diagnosis, and it is something easy and simple to remedy.  |
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Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | Bad news unfortunately. :( It's liver disease. Vet said she has anywhere from days to weeks. She lost 1.5 lbs in 3 months. Poor thing. I don't know what the boyfriend's game plan is for her yet; she's still eating well and bright eyed but suffering on the inside. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 926
| So we've got an outside/inside cat. She's probably about 8 or so years old. She eats dry food, but I think she throws up about what she eats. She's not rail then, but she used to be pretty fit cuz she spends most of the day outside 'hunting' in our yard. She's now got a saggy tummy, but not fat. What you all are describing makes me think this could be what she has. Anyone have a kitty with the trowing up, but not really thin?
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 Neat Freak
Posts: 11216
Location: Wonderful Wyoming | Many prayers for you and your kitty. I lost my fat Georgie cat at about 10-12 yrs or so. He started to puke a lot too, it was kidney failure. I miss him still. |
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My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | hammer_time - 2016-09-13 7:22 PM
Bad news unfortunately. :( It's liver disease. Vet said she has anywhere from days to weeks. She lost 1.5 lbs in 3 months. Poor thing. I don't know what the boyfriend's game plan is for her yet; she's still eating well and bright eyed but suffering on the inside.
I'm so sorry. They break our hearts when they are sick or hurt because they are such a big part of us. He'll know when it's time. . . . |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 891
| hammer_time - 2016-09-13 7:22 PM
Bad news unfortunately. :( It's liver disease. Vet said she has anywhere from days to weeks. She lost 1.5 lbs in 3 months. Poor thing. I don't know what the boyfriend's game plan is for her yet; she's still eating well and bright eyed but suffering on the inside.
I am so sorry. Your kitty is beautiful. I know how much my kitty's mean to me. Give your kitty a soft hug & kiss from me. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1481
Location: TEXAS | hammer_time - 2016-09-13 7:22 PM
Bad news unfortunately. :( It's liver disease. Vet said she has anywhere from days to weeks. She lost 1.5 lbs in 3 months. Poor thing. I don't know what the boyfriend's game plan is for her yet; she's still eating well and bright eyed but suffering on the inside.
I'm so sorry the prognosis was not good. I have a 14 yr old that has health issues now. I'm just glad she didn't become diabetic (many SR cats do). Prayers and hugs to you and your kitty. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 695
Location: Windoming | I'm so sorry to hear this, it is hard to lose your pets and even harder to see them suffer. Even tho we love our kitty that we got from the shelter, we still miss Sami. We had her 18 years. |
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Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | I guess the vet wanted to put her down yesterday but Hubby said no. She's alert, and still has an appetite. She perked up late last night after all the fluids they give her . I guess she's closer to 14-16 years old so this was coming anyways; just sad to think about. We'll enjoy the time she has left and let her tell us when it's time. |
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Too Skinny
Posts: 8009
Location: LA Lower Alabama | Hugs and prayers for you all!
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7268
| I am so sorry! |
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 Having Smokin Bandits
Posts: 4572
Location: Woodstown, NJ | Aw, I'm so sorry to hear that. I have a Siamese cat too, who is puking intermittently. Mojo. He's 16 or 17. I know it's probably kidneys or liver. He's old. Things are going to start failing. He had a kidney infection a few months ago so it's probably kidneys. I'm not going to take him to the vet unless he looks uncomfortable. I don't want to put him through treatment, knowing it's only going to prolong it. What can the vet do? He's old. And cats hate it when you have to shove pills down their throats. So I'm just going to love the senile old thing and prepare myself to put him to sleep when the time is right. I call euthanasia the last gift we give them. You will do the right thing for her. She sure is a pretty girl. |
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Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | UPDATE: she passed yesterday. She lived a month past her initial diagnosis. At 1 am on Monday morning my BF woke me up and told me he thought it was time. She was still there mentally and eating and drinking but her body just couldn't move anymore. We had a vet do a house call to euthanize her in our home around noon yesterday. She was purring as I held her and once they gave the final shot she was gone pretty fast. It was really peaceful. We took her to our vet for the cremation because he didn't want her taken away by strangers. :(. And while I'm sad, I do feel relieved. She told us it was time and we responded as fast as possible. It's just a darn cat but they do tug at your heart strings... |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| Aww, so sorry, it's still hard even when you know it is the right thing to do. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 695
Location: Windoming | So sorry, it's so hard to let them go. Still missing our kitty that we lost in January, even tho the one we got at the cat shelter to ease the pain is awesome. |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | So sorry for your kitty, its hard no matter what. When we found out Smokey's sickness he was gone in 3 weeks.. Still hurts.. |
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9992
Location: Kansas | poor baby, many hugs and prayers |
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Go Get Em!
Posts: 13503
Location: OH. IO | Im sorry for your breaking heart and your loss. |
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 Balance Beam and more...
Posts: 11511
Location: 31 lengths farms | So sorry to hear hammertime...we have my mom's 24 year old cat, my mom passed away a year ago. I think is some ways it will be like losing another part of mom when Woodie goes.
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7268
| BIG HUGS! I am so very sorry. |
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Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | Thanks guys. :)
Boyfriend is the most upset--it was his cat after all. :(
I handled all the phone calls yesterday to make it easier on him. There's only so much you can say..... |
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My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | Hugs and prayers to you and your bf. It's never easy, like someone said, even when we know it's for their best. |
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