How to Diagnose Cat With Sudden Weight Loss
Sudden weight loss in your cat is a symptom of a lifestyle or health problem. To enable your cat to live a long, healthy life, identifying problems and diagnosing illnesses early is key. If your cat is experiencing sudden weight loss, consider the cause of it--such as stress or sickness--and take your cat to the veterinarian for help. Considering the possible causes of weight loss by identifying where things might have gone wrong can help you and your veterinarian diagnose your cat. After that, it's just a matter of treatment and tender loving care to get your cat feeling his best again.
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Instructions
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Identify whether there have been any major changes in your cat's life recently. Discern whether your cat is experiencing stress, as this can lead to weight loss. For a cat, moving to a new household, meeting another new family pet or a death in your family are just a few causes of stress that can lead to weight loss.
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Make sure you are giving your cat food he enjoys. Ask yourself if you have recently switched to a new brand of cat food, to a new flavor of food or from dry food to wet food, as every cat has his own food preferences and may simply miss her old meals.
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Check on your cat's eating and exercise habits. Weight loss can be caused by a loss of appetite, increased exercise or a condition that causes your cat to lose weight even as his appetite skyrockets. Identifying any changes--or a lack of change--in your cat's behavior will help you diagnose your cat when it comes time to talk to your veterinarian.
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Take note of any other symptoms of illness in your cat. Symptoms to look out for include bad breath, excessive thirst, unusually matted fur--which indicates that your cat is not grooming himself--diarrhea or vomiting.
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See your veterinarian right away for a diagnosis. Common causes of feline weight loss include diabetes, kidney failure, liver disease or parasites such as heartworm. With your help identifying other symptoms and changes in your cat's behavior, your veterinarian can properly diagnose your cat's weight loss and provide the best treatment for his condition.
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Tips & Warnings
If your cat is experiencing weight loss due to stress, spend extra time with her so she knows she is still loved, and help make her comfortable in her new environment or situation. Talk to your veterinarian about therapies that may help your cat with his adjustment.
Don't hesitate to take your cat to the veterinarian. The sooner you take your cat in for his diagnosis, the sooner he can regain his health.
