Hi all

New here to the pet forum so I hope I have come to the right place for a bit of advice.

I have two cats, domestic short haired, brothers from the same litter, around 12 years old. One is a monster in size and the other I have recently become concerned about as he seems to be getting rather thin, especially around the hind quarters. Someone who hadn't seen him for about 3 months came round the other day and said the cat was noticeably thinner than the last time he had seen it.

He eats for Britain and is always around my ankles for food when I am in the kitchen. About a year ago he started being sick quite a lot, almost every day, always bringing up half chewed dry food. So I knocked the dry food on the head and touch wood he is very rarely sick now. I think he was gorging on it and greedily over-feeding.

So there is nothing wrong with his appetite and he drinks normally and goes to the toilet normally too.

A friend suggested maybe he has tapeworms, so last week I wormed him. At the same time I phoned the vet and they said if I took him in they would do blood tests which would cost me in the region of £130. From blood tests they may have to do x-rays which I was too frightened to ask the cost of! Needless to say, the more treatment they tell me he needs the bigger and bigger the bill is going to get.

As I am totally skint at the moment I asked friends and family if they thought it would be a good idea to worm him and then see how he goes over the next couple of weeks. Everyone said they thought that could be a good start and if no improvement then take him to the vet. The thing is he has now started giving off the odd wet sneeze here and there, so now I am worrying about cat flu!

I know you are probably thinking 'just take him to the vet then!!' but funds are that low at the moment that I want to avoid it if at all possible.

But if advice comes back at me that urges me to go to the vet then the credit card will have to make an appearance.

I hope someone can come up with some suggestions as I really am worried about my cat.

By the way, all other characteristics are completely normal. He is still his usual happy, clingy, friendly and playful self.

Thanks in advance folks.