Older cat not well

[LTURTLE2]

Hi all I am a newbie here seeking advice re my cat. She is a 12 year Russian blue. She has always been healthy since we had her (at 5). She's also always been slim. Recently she started to lose weight. We took her to the vet and all bloods ok except some inflammation. They prescribed steroids for possible IBD. I also switched her to a grain free food. She did ok first few weeks but no weight gain. Vet said continue treatment for 4-6 week but unsure of the problem. Now about 3 weeks later she is declining,has diarrhoea and has lost more weight also is struggling with her back legs when jumping. She is still eating. I will take her back next week but don't have much faith in the vet as she is worse now then when she first went. Sorry for the essay jut wondering if anyone has similar experience or steroids causing diarrhoea?thanks

[vic23]

Hi There,
Firstly, welcome to the forum. I only joined last month as my cat has been ill and found it a massive support to me.

My cat is on steroids currently - 1 week in - she seems to have no side effects currently, but I did quite a lot of research about steroids and one of the side effects can be diarrhoea. However, with the other symptoms you mention, I would definitely take her back to the vets. In my recent experience, some things in cats can be very hard to diagnose. What tests has she had so far? If only bloods, maybe an ultrasound would be an option.

I hope things improve.

Best Wishes

Vic

[LTURTLE2]

Thanks for the reply. She has only had bloods. I will take her back just don't have much faith in the vet. She did suggest an US after the bloods came back clear but thought it best to try the steroids first. She then seemed to get fixated on it being hyperthyroidism even though the test was negative. Apparently there is another test that can show it up but she shows no symptom of that except losing weight but still eating (eg she's not manic,hyper etc). It is so difficult to know what to do for the best and I'm confused why the steroids would give her diarrhoea. I have IBD myself and for me steroids completely cure it (despite other side effects) so it seems odds they would cause it

[MarkB]

I don't have any experience of a cat having diarrhea after steroids, but only last week, one of the member on here that doesn't post these days (that I am aware of) had the same issue with one of her cats. (she messaged me on Facebook) Her vet said it was likely it was caused by the steroids. I didn't get an update, but will ask her what the outcome was.

[Ruth B]

Do you know what blood tests they did. It seems an obvious one, but did they test sugar levels for diabetes. Its just that the weight loss and the loss of muscle tone are common symptoms, drinking a LOT is also a common symptom so if she is drinking more than normal, then if it hasn't been mentioned it would be worth asking about to make sure that possibility is eliminated.

Sorry I can't be more help and I hope she gets better soon

[Janey]

Hi there, sorry your cat isn’t well. Have the vets checked the thyroid as hyperthyroidism is something that would cause weight loss and diarrhoea?

[Crewella]

I'm sorry to hear of your problems. My only experience of steroids has been as a means to treating diarrhea (successfully) so I'm afraid I'm not much help. I have had several older cats with gut problems and malabsoption issues and certainly changing her diet is a good stert, but what you really need is a vet that you can work with to try and eliminate all the possibilities and find a way forwards. If you don't have much faith in your vet, it might be an idea to try a second opinion elsewhere?

[Kay]

My Russian Blue male had the advanced HT test when he started wanting more food when he was 11 - he had no other symptoms and didn't lose weight, and only had the advanced test because the newly hired Polish vet didn't know there was a more basic one - but it came back positive

And he too was always on the thin side, and had malabsorption issues, which continued after the HT was cured by the radioactive iodine treatment - ironically they only cleared up when he was on daily Metacam for an incurable tumour

But having said that, his back legs were always strong, so HT seems less likely - more tests seem inevitable, alas

[emmab]

Thanks all. He doesn't have the runs just loss of weight and a fever. They have tested for all the obvious and they are OK. It is just the protein levels and they have done a second one to find the finer points of the protein levels. It was just that yesterday they also found this mass which under ultrasound showed enlarged lymph nodes. His kidneys are also different sizes but he said there is no problems with those.

[Janey]

Ok, that makes sense, and I would have expected your vet to have checked it out anyway. I’m just always a bit wary with thyroid as it’s common with older cats and it sometimes doesn’t show up on tests (I know only too well with my own thyroid). I will keep everything crossed for your boy xx

[Kay]

I think two threads have got confused here - Lturtle2 was posting about her girl

[LTURTLE2]

Yes I think the threads got mixed up. I suppose I thought it odd that the HT would not show on the test but maybe it is possible. I don't know if the weakness in the back legs is due to the weakness from diarrhoea. I suppose the retest for HT might be the next step before an ultrasound. Does anyone know costs for the ultrasound?she is insured but I havent done a claim yet. Many thanks for your help

[vic23]

Hi LTurtle,
I would be surprised if the vet didn't test for thyroid problems, but definitely check as I had the same situation recently!

My cat, Daisy, has had two ultrasounds recently (abdominal) and they cost £87.00 + VAT each. However, bear in mind that they are may anaesthetise for the procedure, so you would have the anaesthetic costs on top of the ultrasound fee.