I have a 14 month old maine coon and she is very thin. She only weighs 6.4 pounds. She weighed 6.8 on February 1st when I had her checked by my vet. he said yes she was under sized for the breed but her blood screen came back normal. I thought she was gaining weight in March and then noticed she seemed to be losing weight recently. I took her back to the vet and they did Leukemia and FIV tests which came back normal. They found a small amount of protein in her urine and are following that up with x-rays to see if the kidneys are undersized. They felt small on exam? This is getting expensive but if I can help her I will. My vet mentioned the possibility of a shunt (spelling??) So far I am getting it could be this or that??? Any suggestions or any experience? She doesn't act sick. She plays with my other cat and seems happy. She is a picky and small eater.

-- Anonymous, June 03, 1999

Answers

I AM NO VET,HOWEVER MY CAT WENT THROUGH A SIMILAR PROBLEM. AT 7 MO. SHE DROPPED ABOUT 2 1/2LBS. SHE ATE VERY LITTLE AND EVENTUALLY BEGAN VOMITING. I TOOK HER TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM, ETC. MY VET DID THE BLOOD WORK, IT WAS A MYSTERY. FINALLY AFTER @ A WEEK OF ME BEING SCARED TO DEATH' SHE SHOWED SIGNS OF TENDERNESS IN HER ABDOMINE. X-RAYS REVELED A HAIRBALL LODGED IN HER INTESTINE, ABOUT 4 INCHES LONG . SHE WAS DEHYDRATED AND IN BAD SHAPE . AFTER 3 DAYS WITH MY VET , ALTERNATING ENIMAS AND LAXITIVES AND SEVERAL SESSIONS OF FLUIDS SHE CAME HOME. I STILL HAD TO GIVE HER FLUIDS 2XS DAILY FOR 2 MORE WEEKS. I SUPLEMENTED HER DIET WITH BABY FOOD (CHICKEN& TURKEY ARE PROBABLY BEST) AND A CONSINTRATED VITAMIN SUPPLEMENT CALLED 'NUTRA CAL'SHE IS NOW A 11 MON. OLD 9 1/2 POUNDER AND I'M NOT SURE IF SHE'S DONE YET. I HOPE THIS CAN SOMEHOW HELP YOU , JUST WATCH HER CLOSE MAYBE KEEP A JOURNAL AND TELL YOUR VET EVERY LITTLE THING. YOU NEVER KNOW WHERE THE ANSWER MAY COME FROM . OH, IF YOU TRY THE SUPPLEMENTS, ONLY GIVE THEM TO HER AFTER SHES EATEN, THEY WILL AFFECT HER APPETTITE. GOOD LUCK TO YOU BOTH.

-- Anonymous, July 07, 1999