Weight loss

Introduction

• A very common presentation.
• Acute weight loss occurs due to dehydration.
• Chronic weight loss occurs due to inadequate energy intake for the energy expenditure.
• Inadequate energy intake may be due to a poor diet, a poor appetite or poor intestinal uptake.
• Increased energy expenditure may occur due to increased physiological demands (increased activity, pregnancy, lactation) or due to disease (increased general metabolism or neoplasia).

Diagnosis

Clinical signs

• A full clinical examination is mandatory. This must include examination of the eyes especially the fundus, the mouth, palpation of the neck for enlargement of the thyroid and parathyroid glands, palpation of the cranial chest for the decreased deformability (seen when there are masses in this area), abdominal palpation, joint manipulation, chest auscultation, rectal temperature and observation of the cat moving about the room to judge locomotion, neurological function and alertness.
• If the cat can not be fully examined because of an uncooperative personality it should be suitably restrained. I prefer wrapping the cat in a large towel and masking with isoflurane. This opportunity should be used to collect blood and urine (by cystocentesis    ).

Sources

Publications

Refereed papers

• Baez J Let al(1999)Radiographic, ultrasonographic, and endoscopic findings in cats with inflammatory bowel disease of the stomach and small intestine - 33 cases.JAVMA215(3), 349-354.
• Steiner J Met al(1999)Feline exocrine pancreatic disorders.Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract29(2), 551-575.
• Nelson R Wet al(1999)Transient clinical diabetes mellitus in cats - 10 cases (1989-1991).J Vet Intern Med13(1), 28-35.
• Fettman M Jet al(1998)Effects of weight gain and loss on metabolic rate, glucose tolerance, and serum lipids in domestic cats.Res Vet Sci64(1), 11-16.
• Biourge Vet al(1997)Effect of weight gain and subsequent weight loss on glucose tolerance and insulin response in healthy cats.J Vet Intern Med11(2), 86-91.
• Dimski D S (1997)Feline hepatic lipidosis.Semin Vet Med Surg12(1), 28-33.
• Mahony O'Met al(1995)Alimentary lymphoma in cats - 28 cases (1988-1993).JAVMA207(12), 1593-1598.
• Hartke J Ret al(1995)Acute feline leukemia virus infection causes altered energy balance and growth inhibition in weanling cats.J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Hum Retrovirol9(1), 11-19.
• Thoday K Let al(1992)Historical, clinical and laboratory features of 126 hyperthyroid cats.Vet Rec131(12), 257-264.
• Friend S Cet al(1990)Feline immunodeficiency virus - prevalence, disease associations and isolation.Aust Vet J67(7), 237-243.