Message Number: YG12177 | New FHL Archives Search
From: sukieferret
Date: 2002-04-01 16:18:00 UTC
Subject: Re: gradual weight loss

> This is interesting, because I've found my 7 yr old, Silver
female (MF)
> losing weight in the past month or so, too.

It is always good to weigh them on a regular basis then you
have an idea of who fluctuates a lot seasonally and who doesn't.
When there is a weight change (down or up) that is beyond the
normal fluctuation for a given individual then find out why. Since
ascites causes weight gain, adrenal neoplasias are a very
common cause of fat gain, and many things wrong can lead to
weight loss this chart will allow you respond with a vet visit when
it's needed.

BTW, one hidden cause of weight loss that we had with one little
girl years ago was hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Since then we
have heard from some others who had ones with this less
common form (often hard enough to find that it isn't found till after
death) who also had unusual weight loss as one of the first and
most obvious symptoms.

It pays to know if the fluctuation is out of the norm for any
individual and the only way to know that is by getting a culinary
scale or a postal scale and using it regularly.

Sukie (N. Central NJ)