I've come out to my parents' house to visit for a couple days for the first time in almost a year. It's weird and stressful. The most shocking thing was discovering my cat has gone full on anorexic. This cat used to weigh almost 20 pounds. I think he's maybe about 7 or 8 now. I'm thoroughly disturbed on a level that my mother doesn't understand. She won't take him to the vet and I don't have money or a car to do it myself. I'm now threatening to have my friend foster him since I could keep an eye on him if he weren't so far away. And I think probably it's my fault he's like this because I haven't been visiting him regularly and this is his way of dealing with separation anxiety. Or maybe he's sick and I know she doesn't take him to the vet as often as he's supposed to go and it's my fault for relying on someone else to care for him.

My mom seems completely oblivious to the fact that his bones are visible and that he doesn't like being petted because it's painful for him. She says he won't eat the food she offers him and that she won't deal with the hassle of giving him special or pricey food. This evening I sat with him and he ate a whole can of expensive cat food and was cheerful about it. At least while I'm here I can insure he eats. I'm terrified, I've loved this cat for almost half my life and I would guess he's got a few months left at this rate. I don't know what to do.