Why is a stray cat skinny, losing hair, and vomiting food and hairballs?

Question

This stray cat has been in the neighborhood for about 10-11 years. He was left by someone and people in the neighborhood pitch in and feed him now and then. We noticed he’s gotten skinny, losing hair, people have seen him vomiting food and hair balls a lot but he still comes around and eats food. What could be the cause?

Andrea M. Brodie, DVM · Accepted Answer

He needs to be seen by a veterinarian. He could be suffering from an overactive thyroid gland or kidney failure, or is losing his hair due to mange mites. Mites are easily treated with a miticide. An overactive thyroid is also treated relatively easily (your vet will give you the particulars, there are several ways to treat) and even for renal problems there are various ways to give him good quality of life. It may be useful if someone in your neighborhood takes him in as their pet for treatment, and you all could pitch in for the vet costs.

Why is a stray cat skinny, losing hair, and vomiting food and hairballs?

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