Trouble waking and dandruff.

Dr. Marie replied:

I'm sorry to hear that Buddy is not feeling well. A few of the symptoms that you have described have me worried. Any time I see significant weight loss in a cat there is a medical issue. I'm also concerned by the fact that he doesn't want to eat and that he is having trouble with his back legs.

Does Buddy drink much water? Have you noticed changes in how much urine he is producing in the litter box? The reason I am asking is that it is possible that he has diabetes. Cats with diabetes will often have a very scruffy hair coat. They can get a problem with their back legs called diabetic polyneuropathy which affects the muscles in their back legs so that they end up walking on their hocks and having very weak hind legs.

If this is diabetes, it is treatable, but it takes a lot of work and can be a little costly. It also involves regular communication with your veterinarian.

If this is diabetes and Buddy is losing his appetite then he may be developing something called DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis). This is a condition where a cat develops something called ketones as a result of the diabetes. DKA is a life threatening problem and is very serious. For this reason I would advise that you don't wait any longer than you have to to take him to the vet's. If you are able to have him seen today this could be the difference between life and death for Buddy.

Your vet will do some blood and urine tests and should be able to tell very easily whether this is diabetes, DKA, or something else.

Now, there are other possibilities. If this were my case and the tests did not show diabetes then I would be running a feline leukemia and FIV test. Any time I see an outdoor kitty who has multiple vague illnesses I wonder if there is an underlying disease like this. Unfortunately there is no cure for either of these diseases.

Another possibility that could be something that can be treated is a blood parasite called hemobartonella (or mycoplasma felis). Hemobart can cause all sorts of problems. It usually comes from a flea bite.

There really isn't an answer to Buddy's problems without doing blood tests. I wouldn't advise getting medication from a source other than your veterinarian.

I hope he can be seen soon, and I pray that the results are good.

Dr. Marie.


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Dr. Marie replied:

Hmmm....if he really isn't drinking more and urinating more then diabetes is unlikely. I should point out, just for interests' sake, that when cats have diabetes it can't be treated with just a diet change. Insulin is always needed. Also, Iams is a pretty decent food. Don't believe everything you read on the internet. I wrote an article about Iams and some internet rumors here.

I'm glad you are able to take him in in the morning. Feel free to reply if you have questions after his visit.

Dr. Marie

Dr. Marie replied:

Thanks for the update. I hope things work out well for him.

Dr. Marie.