HI, everybody. OP back. Sorry for the delay! We do not have any answers yet but the vet took blood, urine, etc. and is doing all sorts of tests: CBC, thyroid, etc etc etc. She said we'd hopefully have the results by today (Monday) if not tomorrow (Tuesday). No call yet but we'll see. I will post back once we hear. Thank you so much for all of your answers, sharing, and support!!

NP - Hi OP. Our family just went through this process. My cat felt bony along the back so I took him in to the vet. The vet was concerned that he had lost about 1/5 of his total body weight His guess was "hyperthyroidism" but they did a blood panel. That bloodwork, which we got the next day indicated a liver problem, not hyperthyroidism. So then we took the cat in on the third day for an MRI or ultrasound - can't remember which - but the liver cancer was so extensive that the vet didn't even move on to the next step, which was to be an x-ray. He gave the cat two to three weeks to live. We started with steroid shots (to reduce inflammation) every two weeks, which is standard. He lived another 3 1/2 months which gave me time to adjust and mourn in advance before he had to go over Rainbow Bridge. If it does turn out to be liver cancer (and our cats are the same age) be sure to ask about the steroid shots - they take about three days to kick in but made an enormous difference. Also, dehydradation becomes a problem so vets often will inject saline into the cat's shoulder blades. We tried to do the procedure ourselves but the cat fought us. You can find "tests" to check for dehydration in cats on google. Praying for you and hoping it is something treatable.

my cat lost a lot of weight and went from an obese 15 lbs to around 9.5 lbs in a year. It was treatable with meds, though not well since her thyroid was wildly out of control, even medicated. If you get the meds, it's a gel that comes in a syringe. They tell you to wear gloves when you administer it...heed that advice! I didn't and I started to absorb the thyroid medicine and it made me really sluggish. It was awful.

How'd it go, OP?

Anonymous wrote:I am really sorry OP.

This isn't a good sign for cats.

Most commonly it is end of life renal failure.

Or thyroid or diabetes.

Thyroid and diabetes are actually relatively easy/inexpensive to treat but the testing to get to the diagnosis can be long and very expensive.

I don't know about diabetes, but my cat has hyperthyroid and the way we found out was that the vet did a blood test. It took about a week to have the appointment, get the results back, and pick up the meds. Not very expensive compared to many vet bills and not very long either.

I have a cat who has lost a significant amount of weight since the fall so we've spent a lot of money running all sorts of tests on him. He is acting totally fine and definitely eating more than normal but losing weight. None of the tests showed anything conclusive and his weight plateaued so we decided to ride it out and see how he does. So, while I would share your anxiety, wait and see what the doctor and blood tests say. My cat is 10 and I was convinced he was in renal failure or had lymphoma but so far he's just chugging along. Something is clearly going on with him but for now he's happy as a clam with his skinnier frame. Good luck!

I am really sorry OP.

This isn't a good sign for cats.

Most commonly it is end of life renal failure.

Or thyroid or diabetes.

Thyroid and diabetes are actually relatively easy/inexpensive to treat but the testing to get to the diagnosis can be long and very expensive.

I'm sorry, OP. We're going through this now and thyroid was [at least part of] the problem. The medicine isn't bad--they have liquid, pills, or topical (you have to wear gloves for topical). The liquid cost me $23 for a 2-month supply, so not terrible, but they do regular bloodwork to see if it's working....and if it's working too well and the dose needs to be reduced.

Unfortunately, my cat still isn't doing great. Weight loss, pooping outside the box, night waking and confusion, etc. She had a few other wonky blood test results that could indicate cancer or renal failure, but the vet wanted to try and get the thyroid under control first and see if that helped the other issues. We'll know more in a few weeks.

In the meantime, look for high-calorie food. My cat's favorite is Safeway brand--Beef Dinner, Savory Grill, and Chicken Dinner (all pates) have the most calories. I'm sure there are higher-quality options out there and we've tried a few, but this is what she seems to like the most. There's also something called Nutri-cal which is basically flavored corn syrup you can mix in for extra calories. My cat doesn't really like it but hopefully yours does.

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, OP, don't give up hope. your 77 year old cat is just like 77 year old humans -- they develop diseases of old age, that can be treated and managed but not necessarily cured.

It costs money, it takes time and oversight, but it's not necessarily the death knell at all. We all know a grandparent who's on 10 different daily meds (divided into those little pill boxes) and a heart-healthy diet --- but who's still moseying along and showing up and Christmas and graduation.

It's likely to be OK!

OK, thank you so much!!

Yeah, OP, don't give up hope. your 77 year old cat is just like 77 year old humans -- they develop diseases of old age, that can be treated and managed but not necessarily cured.

It costs money, it takes time and oversight, but it's not necessarily the death knell at all. We all know a grandparent who's on 10 different daily meds (divided into those little pill boxes) and a heart-healthy diet --- but who's still moseying along and showing up and Christmas and graduation.

It's likely to be OK!

Anonymous wrote:My mom's cat had kidney problems that they managed successfully for several years, so it's not necessarily a death sentence. Good luck!

Thank you!!!

My mom's cat had kidney problems that they managed successfully for several years, so it's not necessarily a death sentence. Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:I had one cat that got skinny and it was renal failure. I have another that has always been slim and about every three to four years, he loses several pounds and I think he's about to die. I've had every test run on him (blood work, ultrasounds, ECG) but they don't come up with anything. I tried switching up the food to no avail. Then I got a new kitten and he started eating the kitten food. He regained his weight and is healthy once again. Now i mix kitten food in with his adult food and he is maintaining a healthy weight. Don't give up hope yet!

How funny! Would never have thought of kitten food! Ok, will keep this in mind! Thank you!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, all. Gosh, now I am getting terrified and so sad an anxiety-ridden to go to the vet's with him on Saturday. But ok, I can do this. Thanks for the heads-ups. I will post back afterwards.

To the OP who asked if we are in DC, yes, we are (NoVA) and thankfully our vet, Dr. Fiona McClure at Northside Veterinary Clinic in Arlington, really has a lot of experience with feline issues and in fact used to be a specialist at South Paws. But gulp, ok, I'm still really scared of what we are going to find out on SAturday. But I can do this for him.

He is such a good cat and a good boy. He sleeps between my legs every night and also will come up and tap, tap, tap me if he needs attention - haha - like, 'Hi, Mom, remember me? I am here." And even though he didn't love it when we introduced the two kids into our household, I taught them to respect him and stay away from him and give him his space (until now he has warmed up to my older daughter now that she is older [8] and moves more slowly and predictably around him) and everyone co-exists in a spirit of mutual respect.

Gulp, I love this little kitty so much!

Ok, thanks again.

OP, I am one of the PPs. I have had a cat with diabetes and currently have a cat with thyroid disease. Both of them did/are doing well on medication. So, hopefully it is one of those issues. Good luck!!

Ok, hopefully it is one of those!!! Thank you!!!!!

Anonymous wrote:Oh -- if you can, take a poop sample with you to the vet appointment. They'll check it for parasites, worms, etc. Sometimes it is just that easy. Could be a tapeworm.

OK, thanks. But he is indoor-only. Do you think he could still have gotten something like this? But I will take a poop sample anyway. Thank you!!!