? 7/26 Not diabetes related question but you guys are good so here goes...

[Glennie]

Sammy is losing weight (about 3 lbs.) We have tested his BG and it's normal. He gets constipated so he was on Laxatone, but I changed to using Miralax (1/8 tsp) once a day a few months ago. Has anyone had a cat lose weight due to Miralax?

He has a vet appointment this afternoon. Any ideas as to what I should ask or be looking for?

Sammy is a Maine Coon mix, did weigh 13 lbs, but now down to 10. He is 12 years old. One of my daughters thinks the weight loss is due to the diet change from the old dry to the FF and YA which is possible. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Tanya and Ducia]

One of my daughters thinks the weight loss is due to the diet change from the old dry to the FF and YA which is possible

I agree - very possible. What is the food transition history? How quickly has he lost 3 lbs?
How active he is for his age?
Was his thyroid ever checked? I'd ask a vet about it. Glad you had booked the appointment!

I do not know about the YA but FF isn't very caloric dense, rather moderate.
I Ducia eats 190 Kcal/a day to maintain and approx 220 to gain.

 

[Tuxedo Mom]

If Sammy is eating well and still losing weight, I would definitely get his thyroid functions tested. The vet can do the T4 snap test at their office and have results basically right away. If Sammy is on the high end of normal then there is a possibility that he may still be hyperthroid, as older kitties should have readings in the lower normal range.

 

[Glennie]

I agree - very possible. What is the food transition history? How quickly has he lost 3 lbs?
How active he is for his age?
Was his thyroid ever checked? I'd ask a vet about it. Glad you had booked the appointment!

I do not know about the YA but FF isn't very caloric dense, rather moderate.
I Ducia eats 190 Kcal/a day to maintain and approx 220 to gain.

Thanks, Tanya, for responding in the middle of Ducia's stuff. Thinking of you both!

The food transition went well. I probably did it too quickly, but Sammy seemed to do okay. That happened in November/December. He has lost the 3 lbs in a couple of months. I didn't realize it was that great of a loss until yesterday. Sammy is very active. He's in and out all day, although he doesn't wander far from our yard anymore.

I haven't had his thyroid checked, but hopefully they will do that this afternoon. If not, I'll ask. Yep, I'm glad they were able to get him in today. Thanks again!

 

[Glennie]

If Sammy is eating well and still losing weight, I would definitely get his thyroid functions tested. The vet can do the T4 snap test at their office and have results basically right away. If Sammy is on the high end of normal then there is a possibility that he may still be hyperthroid, as older kitties should have readings in the lower normal range.

Thanks, Mary Ann! It's so nice to go in armed with some information. T4 snap test then. I especially appreciate you mentioning that even though he might be in the high normal range, there might still be a problem since he's older.

 

[Glennie]

I didn't know if the Miralax could be preventing nutritional absorption? Or at least hindering it? Any ideas?

 

[Judy and Boomer]

My non diabetic cat recently lost weight, was looking ill, seemed weak (i.e. didn't want to climb stairs or climbed very slowly) and got quite constipated despite the miralax we gave him. It turned out to be hypercalcemia. I believe basic blood work includes calcium levels but maybe ask the vet to make sure.

 

[Glennie]

My non diabetic cat recently lost weight, was looking ill, seemed weak (i.e. didn't want to climb stairs or climbed very slowly) and got quite constipated despite the miralax we gave him. It turned out to be hypercalcemia. I believe basic blood work includes calcium levels but maybe ask the vet to make sure.

Thanks, Judy. I'll add hypercalcemia to my list of things to listen for and ask about if the vet doesn't mention it. How is your kitty doing with that? I hope he's doing well.

 

[Judy and Boomer]

Thanks, Judy. I'll add hypercalcemia to my list of things to listen for and ask about if the vet doesn't mention it. How is your kitty doing with that? I hope he's doing well.

We did several tests to try to determine what was causing the hypercalcemia and the end result was "idiopathic" hypercalcemia which basically means they can't determine the cause. He is doing well! Unfortunately and despite my best attempts, he has not gained any weight or muscle mass back but he is 14 years old. We have meds we have to give him weekly and unfortunately it involves fasting him for 12 hours, giving a pill, then fasting for another 2 hours. But it's working and his calcium levels are normal.
If the blood work does show a higher calcium level, please feel free to pm me and I can give you more info about what we did.

 

[Glennie]

We did several tests to try to determine what was causing the hypercalcemia and the end result was "idiopathic" hypercalcemia which basically means they can't determine the cause. He is doing well! Unfortunately and despite my best attempts, he has not gained any weight or muscle mass back but he is 14 years old. We have meds we have to give him weekly and unfortunately it involves fasting him for 12 hours, giving a pill, then fasting for another 2 hours. But it's working and his calcium levels are normal.
If the blood work does show a higher calcium level, please feel free to pm me and I can give you more info about what we did.

Thank, Judy, I will. I appreciate your input. It's great he's doing well and has normal calcium levels even though he hasn't gained any weight back. When they start getting bony, it makes my heart ache. I'll see what our vet says. Thanks again!

 

[Tuxedo Mom]

Thanks, Mary Ann! It's so nice to go in armed with some information. T4 snap test then. I especially appreciate you mentioning that even though he might be in the high normal range, there might still be a problem since he's older.

From IDEXX

Total T4 Results
Subnormal <0.8 µg/dL (<10 nmol/L)
Normal 0.8–4.7 µg/dL (10–60 nmol/L)
Gray zone in old or symptomatic cats 2.3–4.7 µg/dL (30–60 nmol/L)
Consistent with hyperthyroidism >4.7 µg/dL (>60 nmol/L)

https://www.idexx.com/pdf/en_us/equine/snap-total-t4-testing-guide.pdf


The grey zone applies to older kitties or kitties showing signs of hyper T. Although the results may still within high normal ranges. as kitties get older generally their body produces less thyroid hormones so the results should be in a mid normal or low normal range.

 

[Glennie]

From IDEXX

Total T4 Results Subnormal <0.8 µg/dL (<10 nmol/L)
Normal 0.8–4.7 µg/dL (10–60 nmol/L)
Gray zone in old or symptomatic cats 2.3–4.7 µg/dL (30–60 nmol/L)
Consistent with hyperthyroidism >4.7 µg/dL (>60 nmol/L)

https://www.idexx.com/pdf/en_us/equine/snap-total-t4-testing-guide.pdf


The grey zone applies to older kitties or kitties showing signs of hyper T. Although the results may still within high normal ranges. as kitties get older generally their body produces less thyroid hormones so the results should be in a mid normal or low normal range.

Thanks, Mary Ann. I wrote all of the info you posted down so it's fresh in my mind. I'll post my test results after I get home. I really appreciate your input.

 

[Glennie]

Back from the vet. Sammy's bloodwork all came back normal including calcium. He did deworm him, just in case, since he does go outside. He had to send the thyroid test off and results will be in later this week or early next week. The vet didn't think the Miralax would cause him to lose weight like that, but said it's a possibility. So I'll wait for thyroid test results, and be thankful everything else looked so good. Thanks everyone for your input and your concern. You guys are awesome, as always.

 

[carfurby (GA)]

I'm glad Sammy's bloodwork was good. I hope you can figure out why he's losing weight.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Any vomiting or diarrhea? If so, might be a sign of a GI issue causing malabsorption, such as IBD. Paws crossed for the T4 results.

 

[Glennie]

I'm glad Sammy's bloodwork was good. I hope you can figure out why he's losing weight.

Thanks, Carla! I do too. Or at the very least, get the weight loss stopped. back!

 

[Glennie]

Any vomiting or diarrhea? If so, might be a sign of a GI issue causing malabsorption, such as IBD. Paws crossed for the T4 results.

Thanks for those crossed paws! No diarrhea from him, but I have to watch the Miralax closely so he doesn't get it. It's like a tightrope walk with that. He does vomit occasionally though. It's hard to know who is vomiting with all 6 of them contributing. When I hear one of them start, I'm on the run to see who it is. The vet mentioned other tests we could do, but after we get the T4 test results back, he suggested just monitoring unless he gets worse.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

When my civie had almost daily vomits, it was time for the ultrasound. Hair balls shouldn't be common.

 

[StephG]

My civvie gets constipated often. I started him on acidophilus probiotic. You could ask your vet about it to see if it's ok for older cats. Mine is 10 and obese at 17 pounds. (Down from 20!) I give him human grade stuff from Walmart. 1/4 of a pill twice a day. I can look tomorrow to see how much that adds up to. He is mostly regular on it now. I add water to his wet food too. He LOVES YA zero mature and will over eat if I let him and that will cause diarrhea for him. EVERYWHERE. Ugh it's awful. If his starts to get a little soft, I cut back to 1/4 pill once a day for a day or two.
Just wanted to throw out another possibility for supplements.

 

[Glennie]

When my civie had almost daily vomits, it was time for the ultrasound. Hair balls shouldn't be common.

So if they do have hairballs, what can be done?

 

[Glennie]

My civvie gets constipated often. I started him on acidophilus probiotic. You could ask your vet about it to see if it's ok for older cats. Mine is 10 and obese at 17 pounds. (Down from 20!) I give him human grade stuff from Walmart. 1/4 of a pill twice a day. I can look tomorrow to see how much that adds up to. He is mostly regular on it now. I add water to his wet food too. He LOVES YA zero mature and will over eat if I let him and that will cause diarrhea for him. EVERYWHERE. Ugh it's awful. If his starts to get a little soft, I cut back to 1/4 pill once a day for a day or two.
Just wanted to throw out another possibility for supplements.

Yay on the 3 lb. weight loss! Mine like the YA Zero Mature also.

Thanks for the acidophilus suggestion. I'll ask my vet and give it a try. How do you give it to him? I guess I could dissolve it in water and syringe it in like I do the Miralax. Had you tried other things for the constipation also? The reason I'm asking is to see how the acidophilus compares to the those things.

Yeah, the diarrhea is never fun. Callie's sister got it when we took her along to keep Callie company on our recent trip. Never again if I can help it. I thought she'd be okay, but she was so upset it was sad. But yeah, diarrhea everywhere!

 

[Wendy&Neko]

So if they do have hairballs, what can be done?

Depends what is causing them. Some hairballs are OK, but they shouldn't be regular. It their GI track is inflammed it can prevent passage of the hair.

 

[Glennie]

Depends what is causing them. Some hairballs are OK, but they shouldn't be regular. It their GI track is inflammed it can prevent passage of the hair.

Do they have to do stomach surgery? I read about a cat (James Herriot books--I love them!) that had one so bad he was wasting away.

I'm going to start taking food outside to Sammy when he's on the front or back porch. He ate a lot earlier when I did that so he's hungry, but like a little child, he doesn't want to take the time to eat. I hope that helps stop the weight loss or puts a little back on. And then wait on the T4 test results.

Thanks for your input!

 

[Wendy&Neko]

On no, not that bad, unless it's required. I had one girl allergic to a type of food and it caused GI inflammation. Once the diet was changed and the bowels calmed down, the hairballs went away. Parasites can also cause problems, especially if an outdoor kitty. A discussion with the vet may be in order.

 

[Mandy & Rex (GA)]

Do they have to do stomach surgery? I read about a cat (James Herriot books--I love them!) that had one so bad he was wasting away.

I did a vet internship many years ago. The vet had a strange case of a white long-haired cat owned by an older woman. The cat wouldn't eat or drink so she was very skinny. She looked so miserable. The vet palpated a mass in her abdomen and thought it was a tumor. The woman wasn't ready to let go (this was a younger cat) so she consented to exploratory surgery. The vet was shocked when he cut open the cat's stomach and it was FULL of hair. He cleaned it out and sewed her shut and sent her home. The last report was the cat immediately started drinking and eating and was happy. This always stuck in my mind.

 

[Glennie]

I did a vet internship many years ago. The vet had a strange case of a white long-haired cat owned by an older woman. The cat wouldn't eat or drink so she was very skinny. She looked so miserable. The vet palpated a mass in her abdomen and thought it was a tumor. The woman wasn't ready to let go (this was a younger cat) so she consented to exploratory surgery. The vet was shocked when he cut open the cat's stomach and it was FULL of hair. He cleaned it out and sewed her shut and sent her home. The last report was the cat immediately started drinking and eating and was happy. This always stuck in my mind.

So glad she had the surgery done. That would have been such a tragic waste. I think that's about what happened with James Herriot. Happy endings are wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

 

[StephG]

Warning: detailed poop talk!
I tried pumpkin which he wouldn't really eat even when mixed in with a lot of food. I gave him miralax 1/16th tsp twice a day for one day then once a day after that and he ended up puking and pooping everywhere. I read on the ibd kitty website that probiotics can help both issues so I tried the acidophilus I had on hand and started at a low dose and it just happened to be a good one. If he doesn't poop once a day I'll give it to him twice the next day and he usually will go. He use to poop every 3 days and struggle with dog sized poops or rocks. Then have a diarrhea spell right after.
He's only done that twice since being on the probiotic. He seems to like it. He digs right in when I mix it in his wet food. If yours will eat any type you could try it that way. Just crush it and mix it in. The way you do miralax would work too. Wrapped in a treat or cheese. Anything he will eat and not suspect it if he's anti-medicine.
My cat's won't eat cold cuts because I tried hiding deworming pills in them 8 years ago! LOL Chuck will now because his insane appetite but only tiny pieces at a time and they have to be flat.

 

[Glennie]

On no, not that bad, unless it's required. I had one girl allergic to a type of food and it caused GI inflammation. Once the diet was changed and the bowels calmed down, the hairballs went away. Parasites can also cause problems, especially if an outdoor kitty. A discussion with the vet may be in order.

That's great you were able to get the hairball problem solved. I think I have two that vomit more than the others and Sammy is one of them. Since he was just dewormed (or wormed, whichever ) that may help, but I haven't seen any evidence of worms. I'm going to talk to the vet when he calls with the T4 results. Thanks, Wendy!

 

[Glennie]

Warning: detailed poop talk!
I tried pumpkin which he wouldn't really eat even when mixed in with a lot of food. I gave him miralax 1/16th tsp twice a day for one day then once a day after that and he ended up puking and pooping everywhere. I read on the ibd kitty website that probiotics can help both issues so I tried the acidophilus I had on hand and started at a low dose and it just happened to be a good one. If he doesn't poop once a day I'll give it to him twice the next day and he usually will go. He use to poop every 3 days and struggle with dog sized poops or rocks. Then have a diarrhea spell right after.
He's only done that twice since being on the probiotic. He seems to like it. He digs right in when I mix it in his wet food. If yours will eat any type you could try it that way. Just crush it and mix it in. The way you do miralax would work too. Wrapped in a treat or cheese. Anything he will eat and not suspect it if he's anti-medicine.
My cat's won't eat cold cuts because I tried hiding deworming pills in them 8 years ago! LOL Chuck will now because his insane appetite but only tiny pieces at a time and they have to be flat.

LOL I love that, Steph,--warning: detailed poop talk. That's okay. I can handle poop talk. Yeah, I tried pumpkin also. Even syringing it in didn't work. The Miralax was really hard on your kitty, huh?! It doesn't bother affect Sammy that way. I was just concerned it might prevent him getting nutrients and calories.

I'm going to try the probiotic and see how it works. I'll have to really watch him to see if he's pottying. Thanks for the details of how you use it and the ideas for giving it to him.

That's hysterical that Chuck remembers your attempt to hide worm pills in cold cuts 8 years ago! Wow! And people don't think cats are smart, huh? And eating it now but only when it's flat?! LOL What a character!

 

[StephG]

Haha he sure is! I think regular pooping has helped Kitty lose weight. Which he needed to pretty bad. He begs for YA like a diabetic but he's always in the 50-55 range when I test him.

 

[Glennie]

Haha he sure is! I think regular pooping has helped Kitty lose weight. Which he needed to pretty bad. He begs for YA like a diabetic but he's always in the 50-55 range when I test him.

Such a relief when the civvies BG is normal, huh?! I haven't tested all of ours, but when I do test them, I can't look at the numbers and I hold my breath. Our gray kitty, Lexi, started with the excess peeing and drinking so we tested her. I almost hyperventilated. (A little exaggeration there, but only a little.) And she was low--in the 30's. My daughter, Hannah, started to go for the corn syrup, and I had to tell her that was fine since there was no insulin on board.

So glad your Kitty tests normal. He just likes his YA. Glad for the regular pooping too. LOL That's always a good thing. Have a great day! And thanks again for your input.