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Dr L Simmon
Dr L Simmon, Cat Veterinarian
Category: Cat
Satisfied Customers: 8099
Experience:  Veterinarian MVB MRCVS
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My cat is losing weight, since april? he was eating far less

Customer Question

my cat is losing weight
JA: I'll do all I can to help. When did this weight loss start? Has the cat been drinking more or less water than usual?
Customer: since april?
JA: Any changes in the cat's appetite?
Customer: he was eating far less than usual but has been better since one month ago
JA: And what's the cat's name and age?
Customer: snow, three and a half years old
JA: Is there anything else the Vet should know about Snow?
Customer: he's been losing a lot of hair these days
Submitted: 16 days ago.
Category: Cat
Customer: replied 16 days ago.
The breed of my cat is Scotishfold. He's been losing weight since April and a lot of hair since mid May.
Expert:  Dr L Simmon replied 16 days ago.
Hello, you are through to Dr Linda, a UK based vet with 10 years of clinical experience.I'm sorry to hear this and appreciate your concern for Snow.Is he now under weight?Any other signs such as vomiting, red gums, bad breath or lethargy?
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Customer: replied 16 days ago.
He was about 2.9kg by March, about 2.7kg in May and about 2.55kg now. vomiting sometimes (2-3 times a month). no other signs.
Customer: replied 16 days ago.
He seems a bit lethargic thesedays
Expert:  Dr L Simmon replied 16 days ago.
I'm sorry to hear this, this is significant weight loss and is concerning.Has he seen a vet about this?
Have any tests been run?
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Customer: replied 16 days ago.
Our vet has run through a set of test (for one whole day). The result was everything fine, but some slightly different form of his liver in Xray; they advised me to have Snow scanned in his liver.
Customer: replied 16 days ago.
I was quite disappointed at their service - constant check ups and tests for over two months and No treatment at all
Expert:  Dr L Simmon replied 16 days ago.
To confirm, normal blood results and urine results?And he has not had an abdominal scan at this point?
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Customer: replied 16 days ago.
All normal
He has xray
Expert:  Dr L Simmon replied 16 days ago.
Unfortunately an abdominal X Ray is not sensitive when it comes to assessing intestinal and organ health.And abdominal scan would be the next step here, so we can get a diagnosis and start the most appropriate treatment plan. This is especially true as there is a concern for his liver.
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Customer: replied 16 days ago.
Any prognoses relating to his possible liver issue?
Customer: replied 16 days ago.
resultant ways of treatment?
Expert:  Dr L Simmon replied 16 days ago.
Unfortunately we can't comment on either treatment options or prognosis unless we know what is going on with his liver.It will differ hugely defending on whether he has e.g. an infection, cancer, a blocked bile duct etc.We need more information before knowing the answers here.
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Expert:  Dr L Simmon replied 16 days ago.
Given his weight loss and the chronicity of his signs, I would suspect this is something serious and would want the tests run swiftly.
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Customer: replied 16 days ago.
Approximate cost for abdominal scan?
Customer: replied 16 days ago.
Any other advices?
Expert:  Dr L Simmon replied 16 days ago.

Costs vary depending on the clinic so you would need to ask your vet for a direct estimate.

We're usually looking at between £150-450 depending on whether sedation is needed and if a specialist is performing the scan (rather than a GP vet).

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Customer: replied 16 days ago.
Any recommendable place for the scan in/near Romford?
Expert:  Dr L Simmon replied 16 days ago.

I'm afraid I am in West London so do not have local recommendations.

However, your vet should be able to perform the scan or, if you prefer, can refer you to an imaging specialist.

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Customer: replied 16 days ago.
Any places in London then - our vet recommended a place in London anyway
Expert:  Dr L Simmon replied 16 days ago.

I have worked extensively with an ultrasonographer called Livia Benigni.

She is excellent and I believe she works out of the Ralph currently.

However, any specialist will be able to provide diagnostic scan and assess the liver and bile tract.

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Customer: replied 16 days ago.
More importantly - what kind of scan is to be conducted?
CT, MRI or ultra sonic?
Expert:  Dr L Simmon replied 16 days ago.

We would usually start with an ultrasound.

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Customer: replied 16 days ago.
Would it good enough to detect the liver issues?
Expert:  Dr L Simmon replied 16 days ago.

Very often it would, yes. It would nearly always be advised first Vs an MRI or CT to assess the liver.

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Customer: replied 16 days ago.
Thank you so much for all your information
Customer: replied 16 days ago.
very helpful
Expert:  Dr L Simmon replied 16 days ago.

Of course. If there is anything else, please let me know.

Wishing Snow all the very best.

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Customer: replied 16 days ago.
Thanks you
Bye