My tom cat won't GAIN weight...

My question is why is his weight continuously dropping? He's down to 6.6 lbs and I'm real worried about him losing any more. Tom has been tested for everything under the sun..T3 for hyperthyroid, leukemia, FIV, you name it! His FIV test is inconclusive since he's been vaccinated all his life. We have deductively come to the conclusion he has stomatitis and it flares up in the back flaps of his gums. He is currently getting steroid injections when they get real bad, about 2x month.  He is eating fairly well, 2 packets of food a day or what every he wants. Sometimes more. Is there some diet or holistic remedies to help him pack it back on? I want to get him up to 8lbs. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks.

[Thomas Dock, CVJ, Vet. Technician]

I am sorry to hear about the troubles you are having with your cat.  

How old is he?  I would be worried from your comments about stomatitis that he could indeed be FIV positive as the vaccine is really only effective about 80% of the time and then only to 1 of the 3 strains of FIV.  Does he go outside often?

What is the food you are feeding him?

Also, what does your veteinarian say about his weight?  Some cats are naturally smaller and he could be at an ok weight for his size and body condition...

I think you could get a really good answer if you post this is our Ask A Vet, General Health forum.  The doctors there could explain more about the FIV virus and maybe even offer some other suggestions as to possible causes for his weight loss.

Good luck...keep us posted

[roo_ha81]

Tom is getting up there. He just turned 15 this fall. His vet said she'd like to see him at 8lbs. He was steady at 10 for many years and is a small, skinny cat normally. I feed him whiskas soft food pouches..he loves the seafood kind. It's his favorite so I figured I would feed him what ever he likes. We've tried a few of the prescription brands at the vets and some are okay.
He has always been an outdoor/indoor cat but in his later years prefers to be indoors mostly.