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Q: I have an older cat that eats well but is losing weight. Can there be a medical reason for this?
A: There are many reasons why older cats lose weight but none of them are normal for cats and should all be addressed by a veterinarian.
One of the most common reasons is a disease called hyperthyroidism. This disease occurs when the thyroid gland, which is located in the neck, overproduces thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone controls many different functions in the body. One of most important is controlling metabolism.
Hyperthyroid cats can have many more signs than just weight loss. Many of them have a large appetite, vomit frequently, and are more active than a normal senior cat. One of the most common findings on physical examination is an enlargement of the thyroid glands. The diagnosis can be verified by a simple blood test.
Q: I have an older cat that eats well but is losing weight. Can there be a medical reason for this?
A: There are many reasons why older cats lose weight but none of them are normal for cats and should all be addressed by a veterinarian.
One of the most common reasons is a disease called hyperthyroidism. This disease occurs when the thyroid gland, which is located in the neck, overproduces thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone controls many different functions in the body. One of most important is controlling metabolism.
Hyperthyroid cats can have many more signs than just weight loss. Many of them have a large appetite, vomit frequently, and are more active than a normal senior cat. One of the most common findings on physical examination is an enlargement of the thyroid glands. The diagnosis can be verified by a simple blood test.
