Cat becoming skin and bones - Vet says bloodwork is normal

[BronxCat452]

My cat Ren, who I've had all his life, is now 13½ and has been on Prednisolone since March 2023, at the time for itchy skin which he was tapered off of by June. Later in September when he was diagnosed with asthma, he was placed back on it at 5MG. Since then I've had him generally on a 2.5MG every-other-day schedule. However mid-2024, I noticed he began to taper slightly in the area after his hind legs, losing the slight pot-belly he had with the Prednisolone, his hind legs were also starting to lose muscle mass. His tail has also remained down, when prior to whatever is going on, it was generally upright.

He's had bloodwork done and nothing is abnormal, aside from glucose being around 200, however the vet has attributed it to his highly stressed state (and he does get VERY stressed when we go to the vet... he is usually panting and the cat carrier is a mess with everything he can expel from both ends). He had bloodwork done in January of this year and again just a month ago in early September. Again nothing abnormal, same levels and same range for glucose.

In August 2025, I had a Libre 2 sensor attached to him (second try) and was able to get readings for a day and a half before he managed to remove it. Here is a video showing his readings. The vet felt those were within normal parameters.

In late July I noticed he was eating his dryfood (Taste of the Wild - Prey - Angus) a bit more than usual, going back to it a few minutes after just eating. He gained a bit of a belly, but that didn't last too long. As of October, he is insistent on being fed more than usual (dryfood aside, get gets Merrick Purfect Bistro in chicken, duck, rabbit, beef flavors) and has drastically lost weight and I can feel his spine. His spine is most prominent in the rear and I can also feel it and In communicating with the vet, they feel this is a result of the long-term Prednisolone use. I've been weaning him off of the Prednisolone since mid-September, and he's currently on 2.5MG every-other-day with 1.25MG on the in-between days to make it easier when I lower it further. The vet believes once he's fully off it and on Flovent for the asthma, he'll slowly regain what he's lost.

In doing more research, I decided to purchase Dr. Elsey's cleanprotein Duck Kibble Cat Dry Food last night, as I'm certain the amount of lentils in his current dryfood is likely not helping.

If it's a thyroid issue, it's not showing on the bloodwork, though I know Prednisolone can cause misleading results. If it's a cancer of some sort, nothing is indicating it. Whatever it is, he's not absorbing nutrients properly, that's for certain.

Here are videos from February 2024, the end of December 2024, and just the other day October 2025. As you can see, at present his fur isn't as healthy looking as it was in the 2024 video and he looks older than 13½. Also for some reason the patch of fur they shaved off in August hasn't grown back in, which wasn't the case with the opposite side with the first sensor attempt.

I should note that on Sunday October 5th, he had a minor nystagmus event, where he kept looking to his left and his eyes had minor back-and-forth movement. This came on suddenly in the evening, but resolved itself within about and hour and it was like it never happened.

I am truly at a loss and terrified of losing him to an unknown condition. Bloodwork/urine/fecal test results being normal gives no answers and yet there is a significant decline from the cat I used to know, a cat who looked and acted half his age in the first half of 2024.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Typically, prednisolone contributes to weight gain, not weight loss. I'd ask your vet to provide some documentation for his conclusions. Even a basic Google search notes weight gain as a side effect of prednisolone.

If you've switched your cat to a low carb diet, that can have an effect on weight. Cats do not metabolize carbs well so a low carb diet can be a factor in weight loss. Also, do you know how many calories Ren was consuming prior to losing weight? Often, low carb food is also lower in calories. If you were feeding the same amount of food, you may be skimping on calories. At this point, if your cat is losing weight, feed him as much as he'll eat.

 

[squeem3]

A second vet opinion maybe helpful. An internal medicine vet is ideal. Or you can ask your vet to consult with one.

Try putting a baby t shirt or something on your cat to keep the Libre in place.

 

[Eve and Gwen]

Your kitty may have EPI (Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency). There is a simple blood test called a tLi to confirm. To learn more go to EPI4Dogs.com. Don't let the title throw you off. Cats are addressed as well. Also horses and birds.
How does his poop look? Is he eating a lot?
EPI is not curable but you can manage it and life expectancy & quality of life are great.
I have an EPI dog. There are people on the EPI4Dogs forum who have cats. The site was truly a life saver for Dot (our dog) and us.
Other things to consider would be cushings or addisons which do not show up in normal bloodwork
Please keep us posted!

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Losing weight in spite of eating well is typically one of three things: hyperthyroidism, diabetes, and GI issues (IBD or small cell lymphoma more common). If your vet isn't up to the diagnosis, a referral to an internal medicine vet is a good idea. Since his blood work is good, he'll probably need an ultrasound to look at his GI system. You can also get a GI blood panel that tests for 4 things, one of which is EPI, but also his B12 levels, which will help tell you if he's not properly absorbing his food.

Long term prednisolone issues I tend to think of as longer than 2 years. I have a kitty that has been on pred since 2018 due to IBD and small cell lymphoma. I tried tapering her off, but her GI system said no.

 

[BronxCat452]

Thank you all for your insightful replies! I am most appreciative.

I should clarify when I said the vet said there could be weight loss on Prednisolone, they said "Sometimes when we have a patient on steroids longer term as he has been, we will see changes like loss of muscle mass, somewhat more pendulous abdomen, muscle wasting all because of that steroid and I would be suspicious that that could be part of why you are observing these changes with Ren. If we can get him doing well on Flovent we may see some improvement in this."

As for thyroid issues, they've tested his T4, which was within normal range. They don't do T3 unless they feel there's a reason to do so.

Something that I've found odd is that a few months back, in I believe May, he was eating a lot more wetfood than usual, but that dissipated. However despite currently "starving" he is still strangely picky. When it comes to the Merrick wetfood, he'll get ¼ of a 3oz can (so the rest doesn't sit out drying), yet only eat about half of it. I attempted to see if it was the food (though the other cat has no issues with it) and bought a few Wegmans wetfood cans (chicken, beef, turkey, salmon, even whitefish) and those he's been far more interested in eating more of, even going back to them a half hour later.

I am unsure how many calories he was consuming as he has 24hr access to the Taste of the Wild dryfood and whatever remains of the wetfood.

His weight was recorded as 5.30kg (11.68lbs) back on September 8th 2025 and they gave him a body condition score of 6/9. I've attempted to check his weight by holding him while I'm on the scale, which I know won't be that accurate but it's all I can do, but he refuses to hold still.


Regarding it potentially being Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency, that does seem to fit, though his poop has been fairly normal, if only slightly smaller recently, no bouts of diarrhea. I haven't seen any blood or anything concerning at all. He would at random be a bit looser than usual but within the past two months he's been normal with the exception of being explosively loose in early September due to antibiotics for a minor URI. He eats as much as I can give him, though as I mentioned above he isn't cleaning out the bowl, which I find rather curious.

I will be forwarding these suggestions and possibly coordinating with an internal specialist to the vet. I hope they'll be able to see him sooner than later, as given how skinny he feels within just a short period of time, I worry there won't be much left of him if they have no openings until the end of the month. He's been taken care of by the Waterville Vet in upstate NY since mid-2024.

 

[Eve and Gwen]

Good that you seem to have vet who will work with you. The GI panel sounds like a good route - while looking for internal med vet.
Many EPI cases do not show bad poo. Dot did not until she became gravely ill. But she had a voracious appetite and was losing weight- not a ton all at once until she became extremely sick then she lost 10 lbs in 14 days!
At any rate, there are at least some avenues to explore to figure out what's going on.

 

[BronxCat452]

Reading in-full on EPI, I am almost convinced that is the issue. There were times he had unexplainable loose stools (not to mention vomiting a bit after pooping, regardless of if it was loose or normal) and more recently was almost constantly screaming to be fed, yet in the past two days hasn't been begging for food when I'm in the kitchen.

His appetite has been up and down. He was happily eating the new "clean protein" kibble when got it the other day, but hasn't had much of it today. Same for the tuna Purina One wetfood, ate a good deal of it last night, wasn't interested in it today. He did eat a bit of the Purina One beef wetfood earlier in the evening, but afterwards, I haven't seen him eat much else, aside from a tiny bit of the Purina One chicken I offered him a few moments ago.

I've been questioning everything... He's been on Nutramax Dasuquin Hip & Joint Capsules since February 2025 as the vet thought he had arthritis. One of the ingredients is Soybean Unsaponifiables/soybean protein isolate. I googled that and seems soy isn't good for cats, potentially harmful ("Soy contains a compound called phytates which inhibits mineral absorption and block the enzymes needed to digest protein. In turn, this causes GI tract inflammation and can lead to serious illnesses. Soy protein also interferes with the thyroids ability to do its job, leading to one of the most common ailments our cat's face today, hyperthyroidism."). He was getting 2 capsules every other day, and more recently since it seemed to be helping his joints, I had him on an additional 1 capsule in-between the days he'd get 2, so in a full week he'd have around 11 capsules.

I've attempted to get him into the vet, though unfortunately/frustratingly they no availability until the 23rd/24th despite my noting his alarming issues, and I'm honestly unsure how he will be in another 10 days. At this rate I'm strongly considering seeking out another vet who can see him sooner, preferably before the week is out, even if I really like the vet I've been seeing.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

There were times he had unexplainable loose stools (not to mention vomiting a bit after pooping, regardless of if it was loose or normal) and more recently was almost constantly screaming to be fed, yet in the past two days hasn't been begging for food when I'm in the kitchen.

The above also symptoms of IBD or small cell lymphoma. Being super picky is a classic IBD symptom. Drives me nuts! FYI, common kitty allergens are beef, fish, and chicken, though sometimes it's another thing the food like gums. Try keeping a log of when he has GI issues, and what food he ate before then. See if you can see a pattern. Or try a novel protein diet - which is a protein he might not have eaten before like lamb, venison, rabbit, and see if that helps his symptoms.

A second vet opinion sounds like a good idea.

 

[Eve and Gwen]

I am so sorry you are going thru this. It's hard.
Do you know an ER vet you can take him to? They can order the GI panel as well.
Unfortunately ER vets are pricey.
Cats with EPI can also have IBD. At any rate, it sounds like it's getting to the tipping point. Does your current vet save a couple slots for emergencies each day. Sometimes if we call right when they open we can snag one.
Did you discontinue the hip and joint supplement? Make sure it is ok to quit cold turkey and that you don't need to taper him off it. Due to his age and health - just dot the "i's" ....

 

[BronxCat452]

The above also symptoms of IBD or small cell lymphoma. Being super picky is a classic IBD symptom. Drives me nuts! FYI, common kitty allergens are beef, fish, and chicken, though sometimes it's another thing the food like gums. Try keeping a log of when he has GI issues, and what food he ate before then. See if you can see a pattern. Or try a novel protein diet - which is a protein he might not have eaten before like lamb, venison, rabbit, and see if that helps his symptoms.

A second vet opinion sounds like a good idea.

Indeed, he's always been picky but going off of the regular Merrick brand was different, and even offering the Wegman's or Purina One wetfood is very hit and miss. As for rabbit wetfood, he was getting that from Merrick though I haven't had it in 2-ish weeks. I've definitely been writing down everything he's doing. I kept a log with his pills and any unusual behavior, but certainly now with how things are, every action is written down.

Something I've noticed within the past few days is he seems more likely to eat in the morning and afternoon, far less in the evening (here he is this morning reacting to my tapping an unopened can, though he wasn't interested in the Merrick salmon, something he'd usually devour). I'm unsure unsure why, though I wonder if perhaps the 5mg of Cetirizine (Zyrtec) that he gets for allergies at night has something to do with it. I know that a couple years ago when he was on Vetadryl (pet-specific Benadryl) for the allergies, it ramped up his appetite and he gained a couple pounds while on it.

I tried the Wegmans turkey wetfood, sniffed but didn't try it.... then the Wegmans chicken, which he ate a small bit of. Then tried the wegman's whitefish... nope. So the only wegmans flavor left was the beef, the same flavor from the afternoon which he ate (fresh can tonight though). He ate almost half of the ½-ish I gave of the beef can. I do wonder as he liked the other flavors before, however they were all 3oz cans, like the beef is that I have atm. I wonder if the 5.5oz cans taste/smell/have a different consistency then the 3oz ones... I know the beef seemed a lot more moist


As for a second vet opinion, at this point it's coming down to finding one that both takes Care Credit and will see him ASAP. I'm also waiting on a reply email from my vet about the potential of it being EPI.

I am so sorry you are going thru this. It's hard.
Do you know an ER vet you can take him to? They can order the GI panel as well.
Unfortunately ER vets are pricey.
Cats with EPI can also have IBD. At any rate, it sounds like it's getting to the tipping point. Does your current vet save a couple slots for emergencies each day. Sometimes if we call right when they open we can snag one.
Did you discontinue the hip and joint supplement? Make sure it is ok to quit cold turkey and that you don't need to taper him off it. Due to his age and health - just dot the "i's" ....

Thank you, I am fighting back tears in what feels like almost every moment of the day and I feel a constant rush of adrenaline with being in that continued worried state. I worry that I'll wake up or turn around and he won't be here anymore....

Unfortunately I'm all too familiar with the high price of emergency vets. As for one around me, one is an hour away, with mixed reviews, the other, Cornell University Hospital is nearly 2 hours with far better reviews.
Just to clarify, I have no issue with the distance, I'd drive anywhere for him to get the care he needs, I worry about the extreme stress levels he has with the regular 1hr drive to my vet (heck, even 15min into the drive and he's already panting, or barfing or pooped... or all of the above). But obviously that's minor compared to what could happen if he's not seen....

My vet does have a day for urgent care, Sundays from 1pm-9pm, however when I called to make his appointment, I was told both regular and this coming Sunday's slots were full.

I reconsidered stopping it cold turkey (was only 2 days, and I was generally skipping a day between the 2 capsules), and gave him half of the capsule tonight until I can speak to my vet about it.

Yesterday I made a post on the epi4dogs message board, and per their recommendation, I ordered the pancreatin enzymes and went for express shipping. I hope they'll arrive by Thursday morning a the earliest.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Please don't give pancreatic enzymes until you have a positive diagnosis for EPI. You need those blood test results first.

 

[BronxCat452]

Please don't give pancreatic enzymes until you have a positive diagnosis for EPI. You need those blood test results first.

Forgive my ignorance, but the person who suggested it said:

GIving these enzymes will NOT interfere with the fTLI blood test (in other words you do not have to stop giving them before the test.)
If your kitty does not have EPI.... then you can stop the enzymes.... however giving them temporarily will not hurt your kitty in any way.

Are they mistaken?

 

[Wendy&Neko]

A good article on EPI here: EPI – IBDKitties

and this one: Pancreatic Enzymes for Dogs and Cats with the following quote:

Pancreatic enzyme supplementation should never be given unless your pet has been diagnosed with EPI by your veterinarian. Pancreatic enzymes can harm the function of your pet’s pancreas if your pet does not need them. Speak with your veterinarian to determine whether this medication is right for your pet.

Please discuss with your vet before giving.

 

[Eve and Gwen]

Indeed, he's always been picky but going off of the regular Merrick brand was different, and even offering the Wegman's or Purina One wetfood is very hit and miss. As for rabbit wetfood, he was getting that from Merrick though I haven't had it in 2-ish weeks. I've definitely been writing down everything he's doing. I kept a log with his pills and any unusual behavior, but certainly now with how things are, every action is written down.

Something I've noticed within the past few days is he seems more likely to eat in the morning and afternoon, far less in the evening (here he is this morning reacting to my tapping an unopened can, though he wasn't interested in the Merrick salmon, something he'd usually devour). I'm unsure unsure why, though I wonder if perhaps the 5mg of Cetirizine (Zyrtec) that he gets for allergies at night has something to do with it. I know that a couple years ago when he was on Vetadryl (pet-specific Benadryl) for the allergies, it ramped up his appetite and he gained a couple pounds while on it.

I tried the Wegmans turkey wetfood, sniffed but didn't try it.... then the Wegmans chicken, which he ate a small bit of. Then tried the wegman's whitefish... nope. So the only wegmans flavor left was the beef, the same flavor from the afternoon which he ate (fresh can tonight though). He ate almost half of the ½-ish I gave of the beef can. I do wonder as he liked the other flavors before, however they were all 3oz cans, like the beef is that I have atm. I wonder if the 5.5oz cans taste/smell/have a different consistency then the 3oz ones... I know the beef seemed a lot more moist


As for a second vet opinion, at this point it's coming down to finding one that both takes Care Credit and will see him ASAP. I'm also waiting on a reply email from my vet about the potential of it being EPI.


Thank you, I am fighting back tears in what feels like almost every moment of the day and I feel a constant rush of adrenaline with being in that continued worried state. I worry that I'll wake up or turn around and he won't be here anymore....

Unfortunately I'm all too familiar with the high price of emergency vets. As for one around me, one is an hour away, with mixed reviews, the other, Cornell University Hospital is nearly 2 hours with far better reviews.
Just to clarify, I have no issue with the distance, I'd drive anywhere for him to get the care he needs, I worry about the extreme stress levels he has with the regular 1hr drive to my vet (heck, even 15min into the drive and he's already panting, or barfing or pooped... or all of the above). But obviously that's minor compared to what could happen if he's not seen....

My vet does have a day for urgent care, Sundays from 1pm-9pm, however when I called to make his appointment, I was told both regular and this coming Sunday's slots were full.

I reconsidered stopping it cold turkey (was only 2 days, and I was generally skipping a day between the 2 capsules), and gave him half of the capsule tonight until I can speak to my vet about it.

Yesterday I made a post on the epi4dogs message board, and per their recommendation, I ordered the pancreatin enzymes and went for express shipping. I hope they'll arrive by Thursday morning a the earliest.

Sorry to be long in replying. Have been out of town. I also saw your post on EPI4Dogs and Olesia’s reply. She is so knowledgeable and compassionate. She continues to be 100% dedicated to EPI awareness and research even though she no longer has an EPI dog.
I am so glad you ordered the enzymes. Be sure to follow the instructions. Please be comfortable using the epi forum. Someone will usually be able to answer your post quickly.
Hopefully your little one is hanging in there. We have a kitty who we spoon feed. Very picky little guy with some very odd medical issues. He still has more good days than bad days so we do what we can to keep him comfy. Sometimes that’s all you can do.
Wishing you and little Ren all the best.

 

[Marje and Gracie]

Indeed, he's always been picky but going off of the regular Merrick brand was different, and even offering the Wegman's or Purina One wetfood is very hit and miss. As for rabbit wetfood, he was getting that from Merrick though I haven't had it in 2-ish weeks. I've definitely been writing down everything he's doing. I kept a log with his pills and any unusual behavior, but certainly now with how things are, every action is written down.

Something I've noticed within the past few days is he seems more likely to eat in the morning and afternoon, far less in the evening (here he is this morning reacting to my tapping an unopened can, though he wasn't interested in the Merrick salmon, something he'd usually devour). I'm unsure unsure why, though I wonder if perhaps the 5mg of Cetirizine (Zyrtec) that he gets for allergies at night has something to do with it. I know that a couple years ago when he was on Vetadryl (pet-specific Benadryl) for the allergies, it ramped up his appetite and he gained a couple pounds while on it.

I tried the Wegmans turkey wetfood, sniffed but didn't try it.... then the Wegmans chicken, which he ate a small bit of. Then tried the wegman's whitefish... nope. So the only wegmans flavor left was the beef, the same flavor from the afternoon which he ate (fresh can tonight though). He ate almost half of the ½-ish I gave of the beef can. I do wonder as he liked the other flavors before, however they were all 3oz cans, like the beef is that I have atm. I wonder if the 5.5oz cans taste/smell/have a different consistency then the 3oz ones... I know the beef seemed a lot more moist


As for a second vet opinion, at this point it's coming down to finding one that both takes Care Credit and will see him ASAP. I'm also waiting on a reply email from my vet about the potential of it being EPI.


Thank you, I am fighting back tears in what feels like almost every moment of the day and I feel a constant rush of adrenaline with being in that continued worried state. I worry that I'll wake up or turn around and he won't be here anymore....

Unfortunately I'm all too familiar with the high price of emergency vets. As for one around me, one is an hour away, with mixed reviews, the other, Cornell University Hospital is nearly 2 hours with far better reviews.
Just to clarify, I have no issue with the distance, I'd drive anywhere for him to get the care he needs, I worry about the extreme stress levels he has with the regular 1hr drive to my vet (heck, even 15min into the drive and he's already panting, or barfing or pooped... or all of the above). But obviously that's minor compared to what could happen if he's not seen....

My vet does have a day for urgent care, Sundays from 1pm-9pm, however when I called to make his appointment, I was told both regular and this coming Sunday's slots were full.

I reconsidered stopping it cold turkey (was only 2 days, and I was generally skipping a day between the 2 capsules), and gave him half of the capsule tonight until I can speak to my vet about it.

Yesterday I made a post on the epi4dogs message board, and per their recommendation, I ordered the pancreatin enzymes and went for express shipping. I hope they'll arrive by Thursday morning a the earliest.

I have to echo Wendy. Please absolutely do not give pancreatic enzymes without a diagnosis via the tests. I question the knowledge of any person who would suggest pancreatic enzymes without a diagnosis via the tests. Pancreatic enzymes are extremely caustic and must be used with caution and under the supervision of a vet. Here is some info on feline EPI.

I’m with Wendy that his symptoms sound as much like IBD and SCL. If you want to give digestive enzymes, which are quite different than pancreatic enzymes, these are a good choice.

 

[BronxCat452]

Alright, not posting it doesn't make it not real... so... An update:

I managed to get Ren into my regular vet yesterday afternoon. She did an ultrasound and.... there's a tumor either in or near his stomach. It's about half the size of my fist. She was in shock because she's done ultrasounds of him before and never-ever seen this there.

I was also in shock... I knew something was wrong, but I kept hoping for the most treatable outcome. I nearly passed out due to the emotional pain and lack of sleep (got 2hrs the other day, haven't slept well/much since I noticed something was wrong).

She doesn't feel surgery would be best (no guarantee that they could remove it, or if he'd survive the surgery), and has had me increase the Prednisolone to one 5MG tablet twice a day along with an appetite stimulant (Mirtazapine transdermal ointment) and anti-nausea medication (Maropitant Citrate).

Last night he was eating (mostly the clean protein kibble) and drinking much more than he had in the past few days. That extended into this morning and somewhat this afternoon. Around 8pm, he was waiting in his usual spot to be fed, however he wasn't interested in the Wegman's beef wetfood that otherwise had become his "go-to". So far I've not seen him eat tonight, though he has had water, but I hope that will change.

No idea if if's isolated to that tumor or if it's been spreading. No idea what type of cancer it is either.

At present I do not know the timeframe of anything without additional treatment(s)/diagnosis, neither did the vet.... could be days, weeks, a few months.... unknown.

She also gave me the name of an oncologist, because.... I want to see what they'd say, if there are any other options than the end being far sooner than I ever could've imagined for my little Ren cat.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

. Give little Ren some hugs from me too.

I am hoping that catching it early means there are other options for you, like chemo. Cats handle chemo fairly well, as long as you have some anti nausea meds like ondansetron or Cerenia to help.

 

[BronxCat452]

. Give little Ren some hugs from me too.

I am hoping that catching it early means there are other options for you, like chemo. Cats handle chemo fairly well, as long as you have some anti nausea meds like ondansetron or Cerenia to help.

Thank you, I will. I've been by his side for as many minutes of every day possible.

For some reason his eye(s) have been a bit gunky today, more-so tonight. I've attached a photo of it in his eye and what I got out. This isn't normal for him, and I am unsure if it's related to any of the new medications he's on.... or related to his condition. I've emailed my vet about this. For what it's worth, it appears to primarily be his left eye and his left ear was the one I put the Mirtazapine transdermal ointment on last night... maybe a correlation?

He's also had loose stool this evening, again unknown if a side-effect of the medications, or... his condition.

Yes I have Cerenia, it's the Maropitant Citrate. That said, I've seen a number of posts that were concerning about Cerenia. I've also read concerning things about Mirtazapine.

As for how early or not this was caught.... I/the vet doesn't know. I know it was near the end of September that I noticed his spine was more pronounced and he felt increasingly skinnier. I do wish I had been able to get him in a the start of October rather than mid-way.

Regarding chemo, I've read up on it, and I asked the vet, and that's why I need to speak to the oncologist. I've also read that a cat being on Prednisolone can decrease the effectiveness of chemo (though of course at the end of the day, he was already on it for a while so, not much I can do regardless).

 

[Marje and Gracie]

Thank you, I will. I've been by his side for as many minutes of every day possible.

For some reason his eye(s) have been a bit gunky today, more-so tonight. I've attached a photo of it in his eye and what I got out. This isn't normal for him, and I am unsure if it's related to any of the new medications he's on.... or related to his condition. I've emailed my vet about this.

He's also had loose stool this evening, again unknown if a side-effect of the medications, or... his condition.

Yes I have Cerenia, it's the Maropitant Citrate. That said, I've seen a number of posts that were concerning about Cerenia. I've also read concerning things about Mirtazapine.

As for how early or not this was caught.... I/the vet doesn't know. I know it was near the end of September that I noticed his spine was more pronounced and he felt increasingly skinnier. I do wish I had been able to get him in a the start of October rather than mid-way.

Regarding chemo, I've read up on it, and I asked the vet, and that's why I need to speak to the oncologist. I've also read that a cat being on Prednisolone can decrease the effectiveness of chemo (though of course at the end of the day, he was already on it for a while so, not much I can do regardless).

I am so sorry to read about the ultrasound findings. I agree seeing an oncologist is smart.

I wouldn’t worry about using cerenia. I’ve used it for months on end for my kitties who have needed it. Yes it can cause lethargy and so for my current kitty who needs it, I give it to him at bedtime and he’s fine the entire next day. Just be sure you get the correct dose.

Transdermal MiraTaz also doesn’t have the same concerns as oral Mirtazapine. In fact, my vet won’t prescribe oral Mirtazapine but I’ve been giving my same kitty as above 1” of the transdermal every three days for over a year and he’s doing quite well with no side effects.

It’s easy to get focused on those kinds of things but I’m all about a good QOL for my boy and every decision we make is based on that. I have never heard about pred decreasing the effectiveness of chemo because pred is a mainstay along with chemo in treating small cell lymphoma.

Hugs to your little guy and wishing the best outcome for him.

 

[Eve and Gwen]

Thank you, I will. I've been by his side for as many minutes of every day possible.

For some reason his eye(s) have been a bit gunky today, more-so tonight. I've attached a photo of it in his eye and what I got out. This isn't normal for him, and I am unsure if it's related to any of the new medications he's on.... or related to his condition. I've emailed my vet about this.

He's also had loose stool this evening, again unknown if a side-effect of the medications, or... his condition.

Yes I have Cerenia, it's the Maropitant Citrate. That said, I've seen a number of posts that were concerning about Cerenia. I've also read concerning things about Mirtazapine.

As for how early or not this was caught.... I/the vet doesn't know. I know it was near the end of September that I noticed his spine was more pronounced and he felt increasingly skinnier. I do wish I had been able to get him in a the start of October rather than mid-way.

Regarding chemo, I've read up on it, and I asked the vet, and that's why I need to speak to the oncologist. I've also read that a cat being on Prednisolone can decrease the effectiveness of chemo (though of course at the end of the day, he was already on it for a while so, not much I can do regardle

 

[Wendy&Neko]

If Ren has had herpes in the past, an increase in prednisolone can cause a temporary herpes flair. Which can manifest as weepy eyes or sneezing.

I too have given Cerenia (maropitant) long term with no bad side effects. The first link you posted on Cerenia, I read enough to realize the problem was that the kitty in the story needed ondansetron, which is much better for nausea control. It wasn't a problem with Cerenia, just that it was the wrong tool for the job.

 

[Eve and Gwen]

So very sorry to hear about the ultrasound results. But knowing is so much better than wondering ... it is good that you have a treatment plan.
I cannot speak to the meds and protocol you have been given but others have given you what sounds like great counsel and comforting thoughts.
Warmest hugs to you and little Ren.

 

[BronxCat452]

It’s easy to get focused on those kinds of things but I’m all about a good QOL for my boy and every decision we make is based on that. I have never heard about pred decreasing the effectiveness of chemo because pred is a mainstay along with chemo in treating small cell lymphoma.

Agreed... if I see him declining further, I will make the hardest decision I've had to make in what feels like forever, but it's only been two years since I made that choice for my 19yr old cat who had kidney failure... and 5 years since my cat with congestive heart failure (who made it 2yrs on medication!) could proceed no further.

He is my heart and soul... Him being with me has made it possible to continue onward despite losing my other cats in what feels like a very short period of time.

If Ren has had herpes in the past, an increase in prednisolone can cause a temporary herpes flair. Which can manifest as weepy eyes or sneezing.

It's going back a long ways, 13 years ago, while he was a stray that I tended to, he did have a goopy eye. In-fact thanks to having it posted on Facebook (attached the photo), I can see it was his left, the same that's been gunky today!

So very sorry to hear about the ultrasound results. But knowing is so much better than wondering ... it is good that you have a treatment plan.
I cannot speak to the meds and protocol you have been given but others have given you what sounds like great counsel and comforting thoughts.
Warmest hugs to you and little Ren.

Thank you, I can only hope for the best possible outcome.

 

[BronxCat452]

While I see posting a link to a fundraiser isn't allowed, I assume if anyone wished to help, DM'ing me for the link doesn't go against the rules?

 

[Marje and Gracie]

While I see posting a link to a fundraiser isn't allowed, I assume if anyone wished to help, DM'ing me for the link doesn't go against the rules?

In the past, we have discouraged this because our former webmaster wouldn’t allow it. The Mods and current Administrator is discussing it now so we will let you know. Thank you for your patience.

 

[Marje and Gracie]

Agreed... if I see him declining further, I will make the hardest decision I've had to make in what feels like forever, but it's only been two years since I made that choice for my 19yr old cat who had kidney failure... and 5 years since my cat with congestive heart failure (who made it 2yrs on medication!) could proceed no further.

He is my heart and soul... Him being with me has made it possible to continue onward despite losing my other cats in what feels like a very short period of time.

We understand. Many of us can empathize and know how difficult the decision is to let go especially with that heart and soul kitty. Keeping you all in my thoughts. We are here to support you.

 

[tiffmaxee]

Prednisolone does not decrease the effectiveness of chemo from what I have been told . It’s actually used along with chemo for lymphoma. I had a cat with intermediate cell lymphoma and when her kidneys were ruined by an undiagnosed uti we had to stop chemo and prednisolone bought her an extra year. It won’t work for other cancers. I think the confusion about prednisolone and chemo is that if planning on a biopsy it can mask the cancer. With a tumor present that would not be a concern either I would think. I’m so sorry you received this news.

 

[BronxCat452]

In the past, we have discouraged this because our former webmaster wouldn’t allow it. The Mods and current Administrator is discussing it now so we will let you know. Thank you for your patience.

Thank you and I await your decision, whatever it may be.

Prednisolone does not decrease the effectiveness of chemo from what I have been told . It’s actually used along with chemo for lymphoma. I had a cat with intermediate cell lymphoma and when her kidneys were ruined by an undiagnosed uti we had to stop chemo and prednisolone bought her an extra year. It won’t work for other cancers. I think the confusion about prednisolone and chemo is that if planning on a biopsy it can mask the cancer. With a tumor present that would not be a concern either I would think. I’m so sorry you received this news.

Thank you for your input and kind words, it's been confusing reading what appeared to be conflicting information.

Ren's been doing much better today! Throughout the day he's been eating and drinking like a champ! He even came into the kitchen at night asking to be fed!! I am a bit concerned about the overall high dosage of the 5MG Prednisolone he's getting every 12hrs (I know increased thirst is a side-effect, and he's now drinking a LOT), but it does appear to be helping.

 

[tiffmaxee]

One of my two current cats had horrible diarrhea of unknown cause and she was put on 5 mg of prednisolone to start along with probiotics. It worked for her. That’s not a large dose. My cancer kitty was on 10 mg.Both did drink and urinate more.