Psy is my soon-to-be 17 year old boy. He has been losing weight fairly steadily recently. He was always a pudgy boy, around 12-13 pounds. I took him in about 4 months ago, and he weighed 10, but his appetite was good and he seems in pretty good spirits for a boy his age - still plays on occasion and doesn't take any crap from any of the other kitties. He is even coming downstairs as of two weeks ago, which hasn't happened since we got the dog. We tested his thyroid, and it came back normal. For all intents and purposes, he is acting like a very healthy, happy boy and is actually fairly active for his age.
I just took him in again this week, and he is down another pound - a bit over 9 now. He had full bloods done this time, and everything came back very good - normal, except for slightly elevated liver enzymes which he has exhibited virtually his whole life. He has been vomiting hairballs and occasionally food, so the vet thinks it may be IBD but can't tell for sure without a biopsy. That isn't going to happen - I won't anesthetize him at his age. The vet wanted to put him on a trial of prednisone, which I agreed to, but he is very difficult to medicate. I am also concerned it will be hard on his kidneys and liver. So far he has gotten one dose - but didn't eat it all. Once he tastes a hint of medicine he won't touch the same thing again. I may have to resort to pilling him if I decide to continue with this. It is just too difficult to feed him separately and make sure he eats it all.
I have heard about the raw diet thing, but that isn't going to happen. I travel a lot with my job and don't think my boyfriend would be capable of doing it while I am gone. I am home for the next month or so, though, and want to concentrate on getting this under control before I have to leave town again.
He is one of 5, and they are all on Innova, although I am trying a different food mix right now. They also get canned food 2x daily - they all split a can. I have been trying to tempt him with Sheba and Fancy Feast, and he certainly eats his share.
Anyone have any suggestions?
