My Cat's Spine Is Sticking Out

Malnutrition occurs when a cat has a diet insufficient to their needs. While we may think this means they are not getting enough food, it could equally be due to having the wrong type of food. Each cat has their own specific dietary requirements, so a healthy meal for one cat may not be suitable for another.

When provided with an inappropriate diet, malnutrition can lead to significant weight loss. Commercial diets are formulated in such a way they should cover the nutritional needs of a cat so they develop suitably. Some of them are also adapted to cats with specific health conditions such as diabetes or kidney disease.

Ensuring appropriate nutrition is harder to control with a homemade diet for cats. We will need to speak to a qualified veterinarian to discover our cat's dietary requirements and provide the right food which will meet them. If you have recently changed your cat's diet and you see their spine is sticking out, it is important to consider this as the possible reason. This applies to both commercial feeds and homemade diets.

What to do if my cat is malnourished

Cats that are adopted from shelters and refuges often arrive with malnutrition problems. If the feline is healthy, the problem has an easy solution and involves providing a diet appropriate for their age and condition. Always try to select food with good quality ingredients, minimal by-products and a high percentage of animal protein. This is important as cats are obligate carnivores.

It is also very important to ensure a cat has suitable hydration as this can influence malnutrition. In addition to providing a water dish, you may want to install a water fountain as moving water is a good way to encourage cats to drink. You can also provide regular portions of wet food as this contains much more water than dry kibble.

Malabsorption syndrome is defined as an alteration of the digestive process which prevents the proper absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream for transport around the body. It is often caused by exocrine pancreatic insufficiency or by a disease in the small intestine.

A peculiarity of malabsorption syndrome in cats is that the animal has an appetite and eats normally, but still loses weight. A cat's spine sticking out could be a symptom of this issue as it progresses over time. weight loss occurs because the nutrients the cat needs to gain muscle mass and accumulate lipids are not absorbed correctly. They are expelled with the feces, frequently resulting in chronic diarrhea.

Learn about the types of diarrhea in cats and how this can inform diagnosis with our related guide.

Treatment of malabsorption syndrome in cats

Malabsorption syndrome is sometimes very difficult to diagnose. Its main symptoms are diarrhea and weight loss, clinical signs which are also present in various pathological processes in felines. This means a qualified veterinarian must perform several tests to rule out other diseases before reaching a definitive diagnosis.

Malabsorption syndrome generally has a good prognosis, provided it is not associated with more serious problems such as a tumor. Its treatment involves administering a special low-fiber diet with highly digestible fats, complex carbohydrates and high-quality protein. Drug treatment will also be necessary to control the underlying causes of malabsorption.

A parasitosis is a disease which is triggered by a parasitical infestation. Intestinal parasites in cats affect the digestive tract, impairing its ability to absorb nutrients. Parasites such as various nematodes can eat tissues in intestines and cause lesions to appear. These can result in complications such as inflammation or even lead to secondary bacterial infections which can threaten the life of the cat.

Parasites such as Toxocara cati or Dipylidium caninum appear quite frequently in the digestive system of cats, especially those with access to the outside. They can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, bleeding or diarrhea. If the situation is not treated, the animals begin to lose weight and their spine can become exposed. The cat can die in the most serious cases.

Treatment of intestinal parasites in cats

Fortunately, parasitosis can be easily prevented through oral or topical antiparasitic treatments. These need to be prescribed by a veterinarian who will establish a suitable deworming schedule. Internal deworming prevents and treats infestations of nematodes, cestodes and similar parasites known as worms. These should usually be administered every three months in the case of healthy adult cats, especially if the animals have outside access.

If the cat is already suffering from parasitic infestation, the antiparasitic treatment is ver similar. In this, case the dose must be repeated after 15 days until the veterinarian confirms the elimination of the parasitosis. In this case, the most important thing is to seek professional help as soon as the presence of parasites is detected. Do not delay treatment, as this poses a serious risk to the cat's health.

Many chronic diseases can also make it appear your cat's spine is sticking out, such as kidney failure or cancer. These pathologies directly affect the animal's metabolism and can cause progressive and noticeable weight loss, among other clinical signs. Rapid or severe weight loss is always a serious concern in feline health.

Weight loss may be associated with anorexia. This means the animal does not want to eat because they feel sick. In other cases, the mechanisms that produce weight loss are completely different. Cats can eat normally or even more than normal, but is unable to gain weight. The latter occurs in many cases of hyperthyroidism or diabetes mellitus, chronic health conditions which can deteriorate over time.

Learn how to tell if a cat is anorexic in our related guide.

Treatment of chronic illness in cats

We have already explained various possible chronic pathologies which can result in the same symptoms of weight loss and the spine sticking out from their skin. You will not be able to determine this on your own and a veterinarian is needed to carry out various diagnostic tests. These include imaging tests, blood tests and other tests which are only available in a veterinary clinic.

Early diagnosis is important as delayed treatment can result in a poor prognosis. We should also observe for any other concurrent symptoms and relay as much information as we can to the veterinarian. They can use this to inform their diagnosis.

When a cat starts to lose weight for no apparent reason, we must first rule out possible physiological causes. If these have been ruled out by a veterinarian, it is likely a psychological issue is affecting the cat's ability to eat. This can cause their spine to become visible. Fundamental in the care we provide for our cat is ensuring their emotional well-being, as well as their physical health.

Cats are very sensitive and territorial animals. They do not cope well with sudden changes. Alterations to their routines or family dynamic can result in high levels of stress, especially with certain animals. If the cat has experienced trauma, been poorly socialized or even had certain diseases, they may be more likely to experience stress.

Treatment of anxiety in cats

After we have spoken to a veterinarian to determine a physical cause, they can advise on how to help the cat emotionally. The first thing we need to do is analyze their current situation and determine whether there are any specific stressors in their environment. For example, another cat in the home may have a problem with them and this can cause great stress.

Even something as seemingly benign as changing a cat's food brand can result in anxiety. We need to ensure all of their basic needs are met, as well as provide a calm and suitable environment. Some cats may be need more cognitive or physical stimulation than others, so it is important to determine their specific needs. If you are unsure what to do, consultation with a feline ethologist can be the best course of action.

In addition to weight loss and their spine sticking out, learn more about how to tell if a cat is anxious with our related guide.

Diseases of the oral cavity in cats relatively common and are often a result of neglect on part of the guardian. Feline pathologies such as periodontal disease in cats, gingivostomatitis or resorptive lesions cause serious oral and dental alterations. They can be extremely painful and bothersome for the animal, who will be unable to chew or eat due to the severe discomfort they cause. This results in weight loss and the cat's backbone being exposed.

Although the exact cause of many of these dental diseases is unknown, there are some important factors to consider. These include bacterial infections, poor oral hygiene, poor quality nutrition and stress which aggravate the clinical conditions. Ignoring out cat's oral health can result in very serious periodontal disease in cats.

Treatment of cat dental problems

When a cat cannot eat due to dental problems, their spine sticking out can occur due to a loss of nutrition. They can also experience poor coat condition due to lack of adequate nutrients. Their mouth can become swollen, their gums can bleed and teeth can even fall out. We may first notice because the cat reacts violently when we try to touch their very sensitive mouth area.

It is essential we go to a veterinarian in these cases. They can recommend a specialist to treat the problem which may require oral surgery, as well as antibiotics to treat bacterial infections. Tooth extraction may also be required, leading to the cat needing a soft diet. Prevention is much better than cure and we should ensure we provide regular brushing. We can also use dental treats to help promote oral hygiene.

This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.

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