The symptoms sound like kidney failure or diabetes. Diabetes is manageable, though expensive if he needs iv insulin to get out of ketosis. We went through that with Isis a year ago.
It seems he has dodged a bullet on both counts actually. When we got up this morning he had moved over to his food, and was eating and drinking. He could also make it to his box to pee, which we were stupidly excited about. After some blood work and scans it seems that the problem is most likely a bad back, he has a damaged disc near the base of his spine. He was not going to eat and drink because it hurts to move, not because he couldn't eat or wasn't hungry. It was just too far to be worth it. We got some painkillers for him, and will work on improving bone/joint health. So we are much less worried now. Mild diabetes may be an issue, but the doc says if he can lose some weight by switching to wet food we may be able to avoid needing insulin. Really lucky all around.
Huzzah! We give Isis fish oil for her arthritis, and it seems to be doing her good. She doesn't limp as badly, though she still doesn't jump very high. She's almost 14, so I don't blame her. (The glucosamine-chondroitin was annoying to give her and smelled nasty. Salmon oil, though? She loves it.)
Low-carb wet food (our vet said <7%) can be pricey, but it's totally worth it. Isis is allergic to grains, so we have to be extra picky in what we buy. (Sadly, the dry food we feed the other cats is exactly 7% carbs. She's getting about 2% now.) But if you don't have to worry about grain allergies, you have more options than we do. (3 of our cats have to get canned food. It's frustrating.)
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I'm hoping it's the latter. *hugs*
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We got some painkillers for him, and will work on improving bone/joint health. So we are much less worried now.
Mild diabetes may be an issue, but the doc says if he can lose some weight by switching to wet food we may be able to avoid needing insulin.
Really lucky all around.
Reply
Low-carb wet food (our vet said <7%) can be pricey, but it's totally worth it. Isis is allergic to grains, so we have to be extra picky in what we buy. (Sadly, the dry food we feed the other cats is exactly 7% carbs. She's getting about 2% now.) But if you don't have to worry about grain allergies, you have more options than we do. (3 of our cats have to get canned food. It's frustrating.)
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