Why is my 11-year-old cat vomiting black hairballs and losing weight?

Question

My cat threw up a hair ball. It was hair and it was very wet and black. Almost like old black blood. This is the second one. He’s 11 and has dermatitis and is losing weight. Is this the beginning of the end? Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Male | neutered | 11 years and 10 months old | 10 lbs

Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA · Accepted Answer

Hi there. 11 is not particularly old for a cat, so I would hope that Sam has many more good years left. There are many things that can cause vomiting and weight loss in a kitty this age, including diabetes, hyperthyroisism, chronic pancreatitis, and chronic kidney disease. The dermatitis is likely a separate issue, which could be due to allergies, fleas, or a bacterial or fungal skin infection. Most of these problems are very treatable once a diagnosis is made, so I would suggest taking Sam to the vet for an exam when you are able to. He/she can do blood work or other testing if needed to help determine what is causing his symptoms and get him started on appropriate treatment.

Why is my 11-year-old cat vomiting black hairballs and losing weight?

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