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PLEASE HELP!!! My Cat is Always Hungry and Always Pukes!!

5.6K views 5 replies 3 participants last post by  laurief  
#1 ·
Hello Everyone,

I am new to this forum, but I can see that it is really a great place to talk about cats. My cat has been getting skinnier/unhealthier over the past few months. She eats a lot and yet is ALWAYS begging for food, it seems as if she is always starving and is fighting for her life.

She practically dedicates her life to scavenging for food, always roaming the kitchen after meals and even clawing through plastic-wrap to get to things such as bread, pastries, etc. We have been trying to feed her in little dosages because she pukes very often, especially after she eats a lot. She averages a solid 1.5 pukes per day.

It seems as if she is eating a lot more than she has over the years, and yet she is still very skinny and is losing weight, along with her constant puking. Has anyone experienced anything similar with their cat and does anyone have any suggestions? What do you think the problem is and what can I do to get her better (I am on a tight budget)?

Thanks!
 
#2 ·
Any cat that is vomiting and losing weight needs a vet visit. In this case it sounds very much like hyperthyroidism (although there are other possibilities). She will need a blood test, daily medication and follow up regular blood tests. There are a couple of recent threads on this subject, just do a search. If she is hyperthyroid, it's something that can be controlled, but do not delay any further...every day that goes by is doing more and more damage to her body.
 
#3 ·
I agree. Ravenous appetite and weight loss are the two most common symptoms of hyperthyroidism. HyperT affects ALL body systems, putting them into overdrive and making them work harder. This can have very dangerous effects, esp. on the heart and kidneys. You need to take your cat to the vet for a Total T4 test to check thyroid function. If that comes back normal (which I suspect it will not), you'll need further bloodwork to check for other possible explanations for her condition.

Please don't delay. HyperT is manageable in most cats, but the longer it goes on undiagnosed and untreated, the more damage it can do.

Laurie
 
#4 ·
Hello again,

Thanks for the replies! I consulted with my brother and he seems to think it is hyperthyroidism as well, though he said he thinks it might be kidney problems as well. She is also losing hair, urinating more often, and is 'ravenous'.

Do you know approximately how much it would cost to take my cat in and get a T4 test done? And if it came up positive, approximately how much would it cost for proper treatment for the remainder of her life? I am trying to weigh options here.

Thanks!
 
#5 ·
The hair loss and excess urination are also symptoms of hyperthyroid. The hyperthyroid could also be masking kidney failure as it speeds up all bodily functions and can force the kidneys process more normally, but once the thyroid is treated they kidney problem becomes evident. It's the ravenous appetite that point to hyper-T.

It's hard to tell you costs as it varies by geography and even vet by vet. You're looking at several hundred dollars to have the initial bloodwork done (and it needs to be a full panel so you get a complete picture), get meds and have another blood test done a few weeks down the road to ensure the dose is correct. From there it's monthly meds and periodic blood tests (probably every 3 months to start and if she maintains well maybe it can be stretched further). There are folks here that can give you a better idea of price. Once the meds take effect she then needs to be tested again to determine the status of the kidneys. If they're good, she may be a candidate for I131 treatment, which is expensive (~$1000) but pays for itself in 2-3 years.

You may want to look into Care Credit (just google it), this is a credit program that has pretty low qualification requirements and will often provide very low interest or even interest free credit if it's paid off in a certain period of time.
 
#6 ·
I've never known a cat in renal failure to have a ravenous appetite. It's quite the opposite, Cats with renal disease typically have diminished appetites. However, hyperT and renal failure can occur simultaneously, so it is possible that your cat may have both problems. BTW, hair loss is another symptom of hyperT.

The cost of testing and management or treatment of hyperT varies depending on your location, the treatment option you choose, your cat's response to treatment, and whether or not hyperT is the only medical issue present. I suggest you call around to vets in your area, ask for pricing for a TT4 test, and start there. If your cat is hyperT, you can then shop for a vet who will set up a payment plan with you to help you manage the financial aspect of your cat's continuing medical care.

Laurie