Cats refusing to eat after long distance move......

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Matt - 09 Dec 2003 19:03 GMT

As some of you remember I posted some time ago about moving cats from
Europe to the US. Well, the good news is that both cats made it OK.
However, they are somewhat traumatized --> both cats refuse to eat. My
female will eat a little bit but only when I sit down and handfeed
her, she will not eat on her own. I am more worried about the tomcat
because he simply doesn't eat at all. They haven't eaten since
Saturday around noon, today is Tuesday. How long can they go without
food without health problems (fatty liver etc.)? I don't think it is a
physical problem but rather an emotional issue. I don't think taking
them to the vet will help, when I touch the transport boxes both cats
will run for cover and start shaking --> the vet would only aggravate
them even more. I have thought about force feeding the tomcat but
since he is a nervous wreck right now I am hesitant.

Any suggestions?

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Mary - 09 Dec 2003 19:21 GMT

> As some of you remember I posted some time ago about moving cats from
> Europe to the US. Well, the good news is that both cats made it OK.
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
> Any suggestions?

Because it is so very dangerous for cats not to eat for just a short
period, I really think you need to get these animals to the vet and
have them checked and rehydrated. When my first cat stopped eating the
vet gave her fluids intravenously/subcutaneously, whatever they
usually do, and said essentially "just pray that this works. They get
off their food for the littlest reason, then get into trouble in a
matter of days." It didn't work--perhaps because she was just really
old and ready to go. But it works for lots of other cats.

You have gone through this much to be with them--it would be terrible
to lose them now. I would take them in.

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MGW - 09 Dec 2003 19:30 GMT

>You have gone through this much to be with them--it would be terrible
>to lose them now. I would take them in.

Or see if there's a vet nearby who makes housecalls.

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kaeli - 09 Dec 2003 20:30 GMT

> >You have gone through this much to be with them--it would be terrible
> >to lose them now. I would take them in.
>
> Or see if there's a vet nearby who makes housecalls.

Or ask the vet for tranqs.
They do need to go. I'd be most worried about dehydration, since cats
often get a lot, if not all, of their water from their food. Also, a
supplement called Nutrical helped my Rowan when she was ill, so you may
want to consider some of that, too. It's high cal and stimulates the
appetite. It comes in a tube, like toothpaste, and has nutrients and
minerals.
I have heard that stinky food, like sardines and tuna, can stimulate the
appetite, but watch for mercury in canned fish - don't feed too much of
this.

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Karen - 09 Dec 2003 19:41 GMT

>> As some of you remember I posted some time ago about moving cats
> from
[quoted text clipped - 28 lines]
> You have gone through this much to be with them--it would be terrible
> to lose them now. I would take them in.

I agree that dehyradation is often a big trigger for not eating. Getting
some fluids into them may be the trick to work wonders. They can't really be
*more* traumatized to go to the vet after such a move, so I would get one on
the double and get them looked at. Please keep us posted.

Karen

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Chris - 09 Dec 2003 23:16 GMT

Try tuna (the cheaper kind) in water--micro a few seconds to heat it
up--most cats can't resist the smell--& the water will get some fluids in
them.... Spoon feed--they're going to make you go thru that I'm afraid! &
can you hide the carriers someplace?

> As some of you remember I posted some time ago about moving cats from
> Europe to the US. Well, the good news is that both cats made it OK.
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
> Any suggestions?

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Matt - 10 Dec 2003 03:22 GMT

Thanks for the advice. Dehydration should not be a problem they are
both drinking plenty of water. They also have bowel movement. I was
able to handfeed both of them a little bit of food tonight but they
will still not eat independently. They seem to wanna eat but are
afraid to. It looks like things are getting a little better. I'll keep
you posted....

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afr - 10 Dec 2003 03:39 GMT

Are you feeding them the same food you fed them before, or are they
adjusting to new food?

ava

> Thanks for the advice. Dehydration should not be a problem they are
> both drinking plenty of water. They also have bowel movement. I was
> able to handfeed both of them a little bit of food tonight but they
> will still not eat independently. They seem to wanna eat but are
> afraid to. It looks like things are getting a little better. I'll keep
> you posted....

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Karen - 10 Dec 2003 03:59 GMT

you might look into investing in a bottle of Feliway. www.feliway.com.
Notice the studies about how long before cats exposed to Feliway ate as
compared to not at the vets. It might help.

Karen

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Matt - 18 Dec 2003 05:26 GMT

Hi,

both cats are back to normal, they didn't eat for a few days and were
pretty strange for about a week but other than that no major problems.
Transporting them in cargo on a 12 hour flight didn't do them any harm
and I would probably ship them in the cargo hold on a plane again. It
is definitely possible to make very long distance moves with cats
(6000 miles) there is no reason to leave them behind. The total cost
for moving the 2 cats (including health certificates) was about $300.
One thing that I would recommend though is to pick a bigger transport
unit and to put some blankets in there. When we picked them up both
cats where completely dug in (invisble) and I think it made them feel
safe.

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