I'm discouraged, and frankly, scared

[Rajah]

Y'all know how I've been worried about Blaze for a bit, and then recently he lost a large amount of weight that corresponded to us changing the diet?

Well, in the past 2 weeks, we found a food that Blaze *loves* (Nutro Max Cat Kitten formula). He typically eats it up like crazy, only last night he wouldn't touch more than a teaspoon full.

We've been weighing him, and he's been staying steady (near as our stupid scale can tell anyway -- it's supposedly accurate to .2 lbs, but I can change by as much as .6 in 5 minutes' time) but this morning he felt like he'd lost weight even more whereas Friday he'd felt like he'd gained just a fraction. And this morning he seemed not to have moved from his "spot" since 5am (when I had to get up and go outside to close the stupid gate that kept swinging in the wind and waking me up).

I know some mornings he takes a little bit to get moving and perked up, so I've emailed DH (who is still at home) to see if that's happened this morning. If so, then I think I'm just being overly sensitive and easily scared because I'm so tired (I didn't sleep at all last night :/ just couldn't fall asleep) but if not, I'm debating taking him back in to the vet.

On one hand, the vet could run a couple of tests to see if there's anything more wrong with him. On the other hand, everything I know of (most notably dry-FIP and liver failure) that could cause that kind of weight loss isn't curable.

I am so scared. I'm praying that it's just I'm not giving him enough time -- after all, it took 2-4 months for us to notice him having lost that much, it makes sense for him to take a little bit to build it back up. But still...

 

[tater bug]

{{{hugs}}} to you and Blaze. Prayers that he's on the mend.

 

[krazyboutWDW]

{{{{{HUGS}}}}} to you. I know it is so scary when a pet is not feeling well. I hope Blaze gets to feeling and eating better real soon. Maybe you could call the vet's office and see what they think. I know sometimes I've been worried about something and just callling and discussing things with him reassures me.

 

[kejoda]

Rajah, I'm sorry that Blaze isn't feeling up to par yet. It could be that it hasn't been enough time yet but that won't stop the worrying. Have you asked the vet about how long it would take for him to get back to normal?

 

[Rajah]

Kejoda -- earlier she said let's give him a month and see if there's any improvement, or if I notice something that indicates he's gotten worse, bring him back in. I can't *honestly* say whether he's really gotten worse today, or if it's just that I'm so tired I'm easily set off. DH isn't sure either.

 

[Boots]

{{{{HUGS}}}} As another cat lover I think I would take him back to the vet just to be on the safe side.

 

[catsrule]

{{{HUGS}}} rajah. I didn't know anything was wrong with Blaze. Hope he starts doing better. I would be worried and scared too. I think I would at least call the vet and see what they say.

 

[Serena]

Oh, I'd be scared too. I hope he'll be alright.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font color=navy>Tammi,

I'm so sorry to read this about Blaze. I know how much your fur babies mean to you.

Hugs,

 

[Rajah]

(To update those who didn't know Blaze was "sick" -- around December-ish timeframe, we switched the kitties from kitten dry to adult dry food. Since that time, Blaze had lost over a pound, and he was always small to begin with. He's very much underweight. We believe it's just because he is a nibbler rather than a real gobbler like Sienna and there just isn't enough fat content in the adult food to maintain his weight. So we're working with the vet to build him back up.)

Well, I went home at lunch to see how he was doing then and he looked a lot better. Nibbled at some chicken and kitten food we tried feeding him, but he wouldn't eat much, but at the same time he was bright-eyed and at his typical energy level for lately.

In any case, I've been worrying about this enough that he's got an appointment now for Wednesday. If nothing else, we can see whether he's actually gaining weight, losing it, or staying the same. If losing more or staying the same, we're doing a blood test. If gaining, then I'm not going to put him through the stress of a blood test (considering that would stress him out enough he wouldn't eat for a couple of days, I know from experience) so we'll try a few more weeks on the changed diet and see if he continues to build up. I've been told it takes longer to build the weight back up than it does to lose it and that this is fairly typical so I'm feeling a little better now than I was this morning. Especially after seeing him bright-eyed at lunch.

I get off in just over an hour, so can go spend the evening with my baby trying to get him to eat some more, too.

 

[lisajl]

I'm glad you are taking him back to the vet.

I know how frustrating it can be, trying to find out what is wrong.

PD and Hugs to you! Hopefully, his appetite will pick up and he will be feeling great soon!

Lisajl

 

[helenabear]

{{{hugs}}} Tammi... you know that I wish Blaze all the best with health. Talk to your vet too to see if there is anything that can be given to help with the weight gain (make it more rapid). Let us know how the appointment goes.

 

[Pooh93]

I hope the vet appointment can ease your mind and show that Blaze is fine. Please let us know after his appointment. Hang in there.