Moose (GA) & Rae
Active Member
I posted not too long ago about good advice for my underweight kitty. Thank you for all of your advice. I was able to find a food that was low carb, low phos, & doesn’t make him vomit or have diarrhea.
Unfortunately it did not help him gain weight. I just took him back to the vet (I take him every six months for a senior exam.) He lost 2+ lbs since his last visit. He is only 5 lbs now. At his highest he was 24 lbs. His ideal weight per the vet (& the weight that I was able to successfully get him down to) was 14 lbs since he’s a bigger cat. So him being 5 lbs is unimaginable.
The vet called me almost immediately after my boyfriend dropped him off (still not allowed in the office due to COVID.) She explained that the weight loss, hair loss, muscle deterioration, & ravenous hunger was likely due to a type of brain cancer (I am not sure which one, I zoned out once she said “brain cancer.” I am going to call to get the name of the cancer tomorrow.)
She did not seem hopeful. She said that she would refer me to a specialist if I would like but it would take 6-8 weeks to get an appointment for a brain scan. & that radiation treatment would be expensive & it can take 3+ years for the tumor to shrink with treatment. She said he likely wasn’t in pain, but to anticipate that he will not be able to walk at some point due to the muscle wasting.
Should I make an appointment to see the specialist in 6-8 weeks to confirm? If so, does radiation make sense at this point? I did already ask my vet these questions, but again she did not advise it. I want to make sure I am doing everything I can. He has been wasting away for the past 2+ years and gone through numerous tests with no answers. I just don’t know what to do.
Please help.
Unfortunately it did not help him gain weight. I just took him back to the vet (I take him every six months for a senior exam.) He lost 2+ lbs since his last visit. He is only 5 lbs now. At his highest he was 24 lbs. His ideal weight per the vet (& the weight that I was able to successfully get him down to) was 14 lbs since he’s a bigger cat. So him being 5 lbs is unimaginable.
The vet called me almost immediately after my boyfriend dropped him off (still not allowed in the office due to COVID.) She explained that the weight loss, hair loss, muscle deterioration, & ravenous hunger was likely due to a type of brain cancer (I am not sure which one, I zoned out once she said “brain cancer.” I am going to call to get the name of the cancer tomorrow.)
She did not seem hopeful. She said that she would refer me to a specialist if I would like but it would take 6-8 weeks to get an appointment for a brain scan. & that radiation treatment would be expensive & it can take 3+ years for the tumor to shrink with treatment. She said he likely wasn’t in pain, but to anticipate that he will not be able to walk at some point due to the muscle wasting.
Should I make an appointment to see the specialist in 6-8 weeks to confirm? If so, does radiation make sense at this point? I did already ask my vet these questions, but again she did not advise it. I want to make sure I am doing everything I can. He has been wasting away for the past 2+ years and gone through numerous tests with no answers. I just don’t know what to do.

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