old cat weight loss advice, please

[Pakhet]

Hi guys
Pye is a 13 yr old neutered male who's lost about 4 lbs this week and I don't know why and can't afford a vet. I found him as a stray when he was just a baby and haven't had a lick of trouble from him all this time. He eats, drinks, jumps up and down from places and sleeps on his favorite shelf and comes over to be petted just like normal and doesn't seem to be in pain, but he just all of a sudden got skinny. He likes to lay under the tree outside, but he's never been a big runner/jumper, just a lazy old lug. Any advice would be helpful, I'm worried about him but I'm seriously broke.

Lisa

[roody]

1. My old cat was diagnosed with diabetes in April, but I have

not done any treatment for him except good food. He lives on, thin but happy. But 4 pounds in one week sounds bad.

[Pakhet]

2. Thank you for your reply

He still seems happy, so he's probably ok, but if he lasts that long I'll save from a couple of paydays to take him to the vet. I love my animals and don't mean to be pessimistic, but it's been a crappy year...

[virgdem]

3. It is possible that he has hyperthyroid disease...

and that could account for the rapid weight loss. If you can get to a vet, they can test him through blood work to see what the problem is. If it is hypothyroid, it can be treated with a trans-dermal gel that is applied to the ear twice a day. Three dispensers cost about $40.00 and last more than a month. Good luck with your guy.

[tencats]

4. Thats some alarming loss of weight there.

Could be due to hyperthyroidism but could be due to also to several other feline maladies.
Have you noticed any increase in his appetite, increase in drinking, increased urinating, fur loss, failure to groom or heightened activity? My two hyperthyroid cats displayed most of these symptoms but it was the weight loss that got my attention at first. If your kitty has a diseased thyroid you will likely be able to detect a tumor like bubble on the surface of the thyroid gland that is abnormal when compared to a healthy cats thyroid. Both of my cats had this bubble or swollen thyroid gland when I first thought to check them. The diagnosis of hyperthyroidism is relatively easy in most cats and is confirmed by an inexpensive blood test measuring T4. I give my two hyperthyroid cats Methimazole (Tapazole®, Lilly) one pill a day that works by blocking the production of excess thyroid hormone. Both cats are doing very well 3 years later. Cost of medication isn't much, something like $16 per month for each cat.