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Old 11-21-2020, 03:17 AM   #1
Carla Gordon and Derrick
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Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 88
Default Older WW weight loss & biting

Hi all,

Our winter white Kareem has lost a lot of weight over the past 6 weeks, going from 100g (I know, he was massive!) Down to 60g. He has always just been big, as in his skull itself is double the size of our russian rescue Paul.

He's an older boy at 2 years 3 months, and over the past 3 months he has visibly slowed down, but he's had several ailments which I'd like advice on...

1) He lost hair around his back legs, and it looked like he had pulled it out. We've been to the vet and tried mite medicine to rule that out though they couldn't find evidence and it was a bit odd as its isolated areas.

2) he's been grooming less, and his scent gland became blocked a few months back so our vet cleared that up, but there was no infection. I've since been cleaning it when it looks like it's got a harder layer forming so it doesn't cause any problems.

3) the weight loss, which seems to be more muscle than anything. He used to be very robust, but is just more fragile now.

4) He's become more bitey in the past week, which feels like he's trying to tell me he doesn't feel right.


We've had several vet trips and they couldn't find any lumps or anything, his fur is lightly growing back on his hind legs, but the weight loss is continuing. He still has an appetite and is eating well, and he's an active little man (though does sleep more than a year ago, based on age!). He loves coming out for cuddles, and since me and HamsterDad are both working from home this year, Kareem gets no shortage of attention which he has loved.

I've tested his pee a couple of times with keto diastix which has come up fine, and was my worry as Kareem's brother was diabetic since he was a baby.

Is this just his age now or is there anything else I could be doing to help him? I'm cautious of not doing too many more vet trips at his age because of how much it stresses him out.

Thanks xx
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Old 11-21-2020, 03:19 AM   #2
Carla Gordon and Derrick
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Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 88
Default Re: Older WW weight loss & biting

I should add, he is peeing and pooping like normal too - not really more nor less!
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Old 11-21-2020, 08:00 AM   #3
cypher
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Default Re: Older WW weight loss & biting

He really is a good age now so it is most probably due to age that you’re seeing weight loss & fur loss.
What are you feeding him? They often need supplementing with soft foods even if they are eating some of their normal mix, so things like ham safe baby food, porridge, tofu & pellets like science selective softened in water, it’s important to keep a check on teeth more so when they are as they can get painful or overgrown & that can cause weight loss, same goes if they eat mostly soft food when they’re old their teeth can overgrow but the main thing at this age is to try fo find what they can eat & enjoy & give them that.
I think some weight loss is inevitable but he may do better with additional foods.
Getting bitey is usually a sign somethings wrong but it is hard to know what so as you’ve had him checked by the vet already I would concentrate on supplementing his diet.
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