Need brainstorming on cat's health decline

[ResultsDoc]

Around April or May, our cat had what we first thought was a cold with a lot of constant sneezing - more than the typical cold. We then thought that maybe he had some sort of allergy since it was that season, though in his 9 years he never had an issue like that. He sneezed constantly for about 10 days or so and then returned to his normal non-sneezing self. About a month later which was about 5 or 6 weeks ago, we noticed how our cat had lost a few pounds, and had been throwing up a lot of hair balls and had diarrhea. He was getting rather thin. We consulted a vet who ran some labs. He felt that he was in the very, very early stages of kidney failure and was somewhat dehydrated. The labs showed no other issues with diabetes or thyroid. The vet put him on a special diet of Purina NF and we gradually switched him over to it over the course of a few weeks so as not to irritate his system any more than it already was. The vet also put him on two Standard Process supplements - Feline Renal Support and Feline Whole Body Support as well as a hairball lubricant. We also wormed him on his recommendation. We just went on Monday for his follow-up visit. He has now lost one more pound over the last month - he now weighs 6.1 lbs. He has showed no change whatsoever with the vomiting and diarrhea. The doctor checked his kidney levels again and they are no worse. He did a stool sample for Giardia and OVO - that was negative. We now have him on a probiotic and are administering subcutaneous fluid to him 2x/week and go again tomorrow with another stool sample to send out as well as more blood will be drawn to check for other things - not sure what. I can't imagine he can go much longer at this rate of weight loss and issues. Does anyone have any thoughts on what to do next? I have heard him say that a ultrasound and biopsy of some sort may follow these next tests. Thoughts anyone???

[Kay]

you don't say whether his weight loss could be due to his eating less - 9 is quite young for serious renal problems, though not impossible

what are the main constituents of the food he is now eating? does he have a good appetite? could his loss of weight be due to malabsorption issues? is the vomit mainly bile with fur, and at what time of day does he vomit? has your vet considered he has food intolerances, which could produce these symptoms?

[ResultsDoc]

Could he be eating less? Maybe a little less, but his appetite is still somewhat good. As far as serious renal problems, that doesn't seem to be the case. As I said, it is the earliest stages of kidney issues. I really don't think this is the issue - at least that is what my gut is telling me. As far as the vomiting goes, I have seen bile and fur. I have also seen where he will vomit his food, but that is not as common and I think it may just be because of his increase in hairballs. He is shedding a ton since he has been loosing weight. The vet also said that the food he is on is probably not the issue as it is usually well tolerated, and he also has had the diarrhea issue since his bout of sneezing and also when he was on his prior food which was Iams hairball weight control.

[Kay]

I do wonder if the problems are diet related - it's a subject even the best vets know little about - trying him on a wheat-free dry food with lightly cooked chicken and white fish might make a difference - it certainly did with my boy almost overnight, after years of horrible and copious yellow poo

I think it's likely the sneezing was a reaction to something in the environment, and not related to his digestive problems

[ResultsDoc]

That is definitely something I will run by the vet tomorrow. I really appreciate you taking the time to reply.

[booktigger]

Did the vet have a good feel of his abdomen to see if he could feel anything that could be causing the diarrhea?