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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / January 2004Feline troubles...any thoughts?
Hopefully someone out there might have some advice for me. I've got two cats on an apparent hunger strike, and I really don't know what could be wrong or what else to do. I have one five year old cat who about a month ago had a stone removed from his bladder and he hasn't really been eating well since. In fact, for the past week, he's all but stopped eating. He's been to the vet's several times post-surgery, and every time the blood and urine check out fine. I did get him to eat some pink salmon today. I'm a little worried about feeding him this since he's supposed to stay on Perscription Diet, but getting him to eat this is much better than not eating. Considering he wolfed down the salmon, I know he was hungry, but I dont understand why he hasn't been eating his usual food. He was eating fine before the surgery. Now, my other cat has also mysteriously stopped eating, and other than being a bit lethargic she seems fine. She's about 10 and in good health prior to this. In fact, this kind of came up with no warning. Oneday she's fine, the next day she throws up a little clear fluid and hasn't been eating since. I took her to the vet and she too got a clean bill of health on blood and urine tests. I'm totally baffled as to what's going on. There hasn't been anything new in the apartement, they haven't gotten into anything, no change in diet. In short, I've checked everything I can think of and there's no reason for what's going on. The vet has run all the test, and she can't figure out what's up either. Anyone have a clue what's going on? Someone suggested lead paint as a possibility, but I'm pretty sure that would have shown up in the blood work done thus far. I'll talk to the vet tomorrow and find out for sure. Anyway, if anyone out there has had something like this where a cat just isn't regaining their appetite after a surgery or where a healthy cat just stops eating for no apparent reason, let me know if there's anything I should tell the vet to check for. I don't want to lose the cats, but I'm quickly running out of money and the vet isn't giving me any answers. Also, short of force feeding, I got to get these cats eating. The other one isn't interested in anything, my younger one will at least eat salmon. Any suggestions for the one who is not eating? Thanks in advance. R Sometimes they'll eat meat flavored baby foods. Judy F > Hopefully someone out there might have some advice for me. I've got > two cats on an apparent hunger strike, and I really don't know what [quoted text clipped - 45 lines] > > R >From: mingus00mingus@yahoo.com (Rob G.) >I'm totally baffled as to what's going on. There hasn't been anything >new in the apartement, they haven't gotten into anything, no change in >diet. In short, I've checked everything I can think of and there's no >reason for what's going on. The vet has run all the test, and she >can't figure out what's up either. That is strange that both of them got sick and now won't eat. What food were you feeding them before they got sick? What are you feeding them now? Have you tried a different brand of food? Sometimes you need to stink up the food to get a cat to eat who's stopped eating. You could try sprinkling some parmesan cheese on it, if they like that. When my CRF cat wouldn't eat, I tried Tender Vittles (I know a terrible food) but it stunk so strongly that she ate it. As someone else mentioned, sometimes meat baby foods will work (no onions). Lauren ________ See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm > That is strange that both of them got sick and now won't eat. What food were > you feeding them before they got sick? What are you feeding them now? Have [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > Lauren They were eating Hill's Prescription Diet c/d, which both of them seemed to eat fine. Now I have the Hills out plus some Euk, another dry food the vet gave me, and some canned c/d. I started trying salmon last night and one of them (the one that had the surgery) ate it. I thought about going the Tender Vittles route. I guess baby food is an option as well, though the salmon didn't seem to be stinky enough for my other can so I'm not sure if any of this other stuff will work. R >From: mingus00mingus@yahoo.com (Rob G.) >> That is strange that both of them got sick and now won't eat. What food >were [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > >R My previous cats got sick when they were on Science Diet. It wasn't until I switched brands that they started doing better. I'm trying to remember which food it was I switched them to. I believe it was Petguard, Felidae or Wellness. All of these are a canned food. Good luck. I really hope you can get your kitties to start eating again and that they get well soon. Lauren ________ See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm > My previous cats got sick when they were on Science Diet. It wasn't until I > switched brands that they started doing better. I'm trying to remember which > food it was I switched them to. I believe it was Petguard, Felidae or > Wellness. All of these are a canned food. Well, they have a smorgasboard to chose from, and they've been eating Hills for months now as Bud had to go on w/d in September and they both eat it. The vet gave me Cyproheptadine as an appetite stimulant, but it seems to have no effect on either cat. Somone ate a bit of Fancy Feast and salmon while I was out. I have a feeling that was the younger one, since he ate the salmon yesterday. My older cat is not doing well though. I can't get her to eat anything and she was always a runt anyway. She's starting to look really bad. I can tell she's weak because she's had trouble jumping into my lap and this is a cat that would walk the tops of doors with no problem. I really don't know what to do. I keep hoping she's going to start eating, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen. I am simply out of money to take her back to the vet due to all the stuff I've had to do for my other cat over the last 4 months. This really came out of nowhere and has totally knocked the wind out of my sails. I can't believe that I may lose both cats now. I feel helpless, even though I know I've done everything I can. Sorry for ranting here. This whole thing is draining me emotionally. R >> My previous cats got sick when they were on Science Diet. It wasn't until I >> switched brands that they started doing better. I'm trying to remember which [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > > R If it were me, I'd get some cans of a/d and a feeding syringe and just start force feeding. Ask your vet to show you. Karen > My previous cats got sick when they were on Science Diet. It wasn't until I > switched brands that they started doing better. I'm trying to remember which > food it was I switched them to. I believe it was Petguard, Felidae or > Wellness. All of these are a canned food. Well, they have a smorgasboard to chose from, and they've been eating Hills for months now as Bud had to go on w/d in September and they both eat it. The vet gave me Cyproheptadine as an appetite stimulant, but it seems to have no effect on either cat. Somone ate a bit of Fancy Feast and salmon while I was out. I have a feeling that was the younger one, since he ate the salmon yesterday. My older cat is not doing well though. I can't get her to eat anything and she was always a runt anyway. She's starting to look really bad. I can tell she's weak because she's had trouble jumping into my lap and this is a cat that would walk the tops of doors with no problem. I really don't know what to do. I keep hoping she's going to start eating, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen. I am simply out of money to take her back to the vet due to all the stuff I've had to do for my other cat over the last 4 months. This really came out of nowhere and has totally knocked the wind out of my sails. I can't believe that I may lose both cats now. I feel helpless, even though I know I've done everything I can. Sorry for ranting here. This whole thing is draining me emotionally. R Have you tried warming the food in the microwave? It will be smellier when warm. Our vet recommended trying fancy feast when Tiggy wasn't eating. If you warm up the canned food, it will smell more and be more appealing to the cats. Just place the cans in warm water for 15 minutes. A few years ago, I was feeding Nutro (canned) and suddenly, Amber refused to eat it. It turns out that Nutro changed formulas - using cheaper ingredients. I switched to Wellness and both cats have eaten that ever since. I have heard that a lot of cats don't like Science Diet food. -MIKE If you warm up the canned food, it will smell more and be more appealing to the cats. Just place the cans in warm water for 15 minutes. A few years ago, I was feeding Nutro (canned) and suddenly, Amber refused to eat it. It turns out that Nutro changed formulas - using cheaper ingredients. I switched to Wellness and both cats have eaten that ever since. I have heard that a lot of cats don't like Science Diet food. I have one who didn't like IAMS. > Hopefully someone out there might have some advice for me. I've got > two cats on an apparent hunger strike, and I really don't know what > could be wrong or what else to do. I've read all your posts and all the replies. Have you tried tuna? That is the one thing that will get my cats to eat when they are acting funny about food. Because it has no taurine (and for other reasons) it sucks as a primary food, but it is very stinky and might just do the trick. Good luck. My heart goes out to you. OK, I've got one cat, my older one, who is eating quite well right now. I don't know if the meds kicked in or what, but she's chowing down on Fancy Feast as I type. I'm hoping she'll keep it up. Once she gets a little stronger, I'll get her back in for a check up. She gets very stressed at the vet's, but because of her age, size and the amount of time she went without eating, I'm really worried about how she'doing. She's still weak obviously, but she jumped up in bed with me last night and gave me a kitty massage, which she hadn't done in a while. In fact she slept with me for a while, which is really a good thing. She's trying to do all the things she usually does, she's just not back to normal yet. My other cat, the one who had the surgery and ate the salmon for me the other day, is nibbling at some tuna right now. I don't know why he hasn't seemed interested in the salmon again after being SOOOO excited for it the other day. It seems like I can get him to eat something once, and then he won't have any part of it again. Thanks for all your suggestions and thoughts. I know I'v not "out of the woods" yet, and I'm still really worried about long term damage and keeping these guys eating, but this is the best news I've had in a while. R > OK, I've got one cat, my older one, who is eating quite well right > now. I don't know if the meds kicked in or what, but she's chowing > down on Fancy Feast as I type. Fabulous!! > My other cat, the one who had the surgery and ate the salmon for me > the other day, is nibbling at some tuna right now. I don't know why [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > R We're all really happy for you!! Here's hoping the babies have a fast, full recovery. In all the excitment over her eating, it failed to regester that she was looking a little jaundiced. I took her to the vet's this morning, I have to call in a bit to see what's going on, but I'm almost afraid to. Because of all the troubles I've had with the other cat, I'm pretty tapped out right now. I know if there's serious liver damage, this could be an expensive thing and I can afford it. I'm hoping for the best. She's been acting pretty normal, just tired. She started eating again and she'd only lost a tenth of a pound since she was in last week. She's got a lot of fight left in her, but I don't know if that's going to be enough to pull through this. I suppose I should calm down until I hear from the vet, but I'm trying to brace myself for the worst. I really didn't think I have to come to this so soon with her. Everything was fine until about 5 days ago. I've gone from having one on the mend to being close to losing both of them. Sorry, just needed to vent. > In all the excitment over her eating, it failed to regester that she > was looking a little jaundiced. I took her to the vet's this morning, [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > > Sorry, just needed to vent. No matter how you slice it, eating is a Good Thing. She is recovering. How do you mean she looks "jaundiced"? Are her gums pale? Let us know what they say, but try not to worry too much as she will pick up on that. karen Urr..."can afford" = "can't afford" in my previous message. I wouldn't be stressing this if I could pay for it. :) > Urr..."can afford" = "can't afford" in my previous message. I > wouldn't be stressing this if I could pay for it. :) Talk to your vet, if your friend needs more care than you can pay for all at once. I cannot believe he would refuse treatment rather than work out a payment schedule. That is, if you believe it is not really this kitty's time to go. > That is, if you believe it is not really > this kitty's time to go. Y'know, for my younger one, I really think he's given up the ghost. I mean, there's no logical reason why he isn't eating. It's almost like he's choosing to starve himself. He's gone through quite a lot of stuff. He's been in and out of the vet's almost once a week since September and he's been on meds, which he hates. I wish he could understand that the worst is over now. The surgery took and he's not going to have to go through that again, but he just seems like he's never recovered from the surgery and I can't seem to bring him out of it. Today I started syringe feeding him on my vet's advice. Even though he actually ate a mouthful or two on his own, I can tell he doesn't want this food. The look he's been giving me just breaks my heart. It's almost like he's asking me to let him go. I guess if he doesn't start eating after this, that's all I can do. The next step would be a feeding tube, and aside from the fact that I don't have the money, I just don't think he could take going through it. I don't think he'd get better, and I think he'd be pretty miserable. My other cat, she's a head scratcher. She's eating still and getting around and being more active now. She's still a little wobbly on her jumps and her meow is a little scratchy, but she's acting ok. Other than looking a little yellow around the ears, you wouldn't know anything was wrong with her just by looking at her. The vet says as long as she keeps eating, she could be fine. The jaundice could be a viral thing. Still no reason why it happened or how to prevent it from happening again. I'd really love for both of them to pull through, but I guess the best I can hope for is for Slinky's recovery to be quick and for whatever time Bud has left with me to be as painless as possible. I didn't think I'd see him go so soon, but if he doesn't start eating, I guess that's just how things go sometimes. > > That is, if you believe it is not really > > this kitty's time to go. > > Y'know, for my younger one, I really think he's given up the ghost. I > mean, there's no logical reason why he isn't eating. It's almost like > he's choosing to starve himself. Rob, this is very hard. I do think there are times when an animal just knows it is time to move on. (Human animals too.) It is hard for you because there is so much you can do, and choose not to do. It is hard to know how to be the best friend you can to your loved cat. > He's gone through quite a lot of stuff. He's been in and out of the > vet's almost once a week since September and he's been on meds, which > he hates. I wish he could understand that the worst is over now. The > surgery took and he's not going to have to go through that again, but > he just seems like he's never recovered from the surgery and I can't > seem to bring him out of it. I can see that you have tried and tried to do everything for him. When all is said and done, that may not be enough. But when all is said and done you need to know that you did. > Today I started syringe feeding him on my vet's advice. Even though > he actually ate a mouthful or two on his own, I can tell he doesn't > want this food. The look he's been giving me just breaks my heart. > It's almost like he's asking me to let him go. Huge lump in my throat. I did this with my old girl who I lost in the fall of 2001. I wrapped her in a towel, dribbled water into her mouth with one turkey baster, and food with another. I rocked her and talked to her. She just looked at me. She was asking permission to go, I think now, but at the same time she loved me as much as I loved her and did not really want to go. (We had done the vet stuff, nothing worked. I could not stand to hear her scream when they took an iv out one more time. There comes a time when enough is enough. It wasn't money--it was what I should put her through.) It was her time to go. My huge regret: I let her waste too much before having the vet come and give her the shot on my bed where she slept. I am not sure how much she suffered, as she was very stoic as cats tend to be. Denial can be very strong in such cases. 20 years is a very long time for a human and cat to be friends. > I guess if he doesn't start eating after this, that's all I can do. > The next step would be a feeding tube, and aside from the fact that I > don't have the money, I just don't think he could take going through > it. I don't think he'd get better, and I think he'd be pretty > miserable. You'll make the best decision for your friend. I don't envy you, and my heart goes out to both of you. My hope is that he will rally, enjoy some more good years with you, then pass peacefully in his sleep one day, no drama, no suffering, no decisions to be made. > My other cat, she's a head scratcher. She's eating still and getting > around and being more active now. She's still a little wobbly on her [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > think I'd see him go so soon, but if he doesn't start eating, I guess > that's just how things go sometimes. I hope your girl will be just fine, and that Bud will do as well as he can. Keep us posted, and know that many of us are feeling for you now. Thanks so much for the kind thoughts and words. Yeah, I think you're right that it was importaint for me to do all I could. At this point I just don't think doing anything else will be doing anything more than prolonging the unavoidable. It's so unfair that my little guy who is only 5 1/2 and should have a long time to go is going so soon. But when I was feeding him this morning, I could just tell he was only tolerating it for me. At this point, I kind of have mixed feelings about the syringe feedings. I don't think it's having any real impact on him. I just hope it's not stressing him out too much. I'd like to finish the feeding plan my vet setup but if there's no imporvement, I guess it's time to let go. The though of not having Bud around rips my heart out but I can see it's probably the right thing to do. I'd never been in a situation where I felt an animal was telling me "it's time" before, but last night I just felt that's what Bud would say if he could talk. I'll always wish I knew what happened after his surgery that made him stop eating, but I guess I can say I did the right thing all the way up to the end. I know it may sound like I've given up, but I'm just trying to be realistic. I'd love Bud to bounce back and start eating again, but I just don't see it happening. I made a deal with him last night that if he'd put up with me syringe feeding him for the next couple of days and he still didn't want to start eating, I'd let him go. I think that's fair. Keeping my fingers crossed, but trying to stay strong enough to do what I may have to do. > Thanks so much for the kind thoughts and words. Yeah, I think you're > right that it was importaint for me to do all I could. At this point [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > Keeping my fingers crossed, but trying to stay strong enough to do > what I may have to do. Keep us posted, Rob. And talk with your vet about coming to the house if you decide to let Bud go. Starving to death is too painful, so I opted for the shot. I didn't want my girl's last feeling to be fear, so I asked if they could come to my home. They did, and it cost the same $40 it would have at the clinic. She died on my bed, in my arms with my scent all around her and my voice in her ears, softly telling her to go to sleep. Again, my only regret is that I let her waste away too much before I made the decision. I think she suffered and that breaks my heart. >At this point, I kind of have mixed >feelings about the syringe feedings. I don't [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >vet setup but if there's no imporvement, I >guess it's time to let go. I don't recall your ever posting a diagnosis, but from what you've described I am assuming your cat developed hepatic lipidosis as a result of getting sick from something else and not eating? If so, stick with the program and get any thought of giving up out of your head. Your cat is young at 5 and 1/2 and there is no reason to think he can't pull through this provided you get food into him on the schedule your vet set up. There have been several posters on this group that have been down the same road and have dealt with *much* worse, and their cats lived to tell (meow) about it. Hopefully Cheryl and others will see this and post their experiences. Hang in there. There's plenty of hope, and putting any thoughts of failure aside and replacing them with the determination to pull your kitty through this is the best thing you can do for the both of you. :-) Megan  Signature"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -Edmund Burke Learn The TRUTH About Declawing http://www.stopdeclaw.com Zuzu's Cats Photo Album: http://www.PictureTrail.com/zuzu22 "Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way." - W.H. Murray > I don't recall your ever posting a diagnosis, but from what you've > described I am assuming your cat developed hepatic lipidosis as a result [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > through this provided you get food into him on the schedule your vet set > up. Actually we have no idea what's going on. Basically, he had a sucessful surgery to remove a stone from his bladder and then he just stopped eating. He's had blood work and urinalisys and every time it comes back showing no problems. It's really this freak thing where he'll have a nibble of something and then not eat again until I force it on him and we have no expilnation for why. Even the other day when I started syringe feeding him, he actually ate a bite or two on his own and then wanted nothing to do with it. > There have been several posters on this group that have been down the > same road and have dealt with *much* worse, and their cats lived to tell [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Megan Thank you for that. I really need some encouragement at this point because I have really reached the point myself where I feel it's hopeless. I'm getting food in him, but he's so weak and not grooming and all that. It's like he's here, but not here. I guess if I knew what was wrong with him, I'd feel better. But he's seen 4 different doctors in the last month and no one has any real explination for why he won't eat. I think we've both been on needles and pins since his bladder problems came back in September. Maybe we're both worn out and it's tempting to throw in the towel. I'll keep trying what the vet suggests, and I hope that helps. R Rob, Please email me privately with a valid email addy. Thanks. :-) Megan Signature"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -Edmund Burke Learn The TRUTH About Declawing http://www.stopdeclaw.com Zuzu's Cats Photo Album: http://www.PictureTrail.com/zuzu22 "Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way." - W.H. Murray Jan 2004: > Thank you for that. I really need some encouragement at this point > because I have really reached the point myself where I feel it's [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > doctors in the last month and no one has any real explination for why > he won't eat. Hi Rob. Megan emailed me and asked me to tell you about Shadow. I haven't had much time to read here since you first posted, but I do want to encourage you about the wonders of a feeding tube. 2 years ago this coming May, Shadow stopped eating and was helped temporarily with a steroid shot. After he ate for a couple of weeks he stopped again and I had to force feed him until it got to probably where you are now. The first week in July he had a feeding tube put in at the same time a specialist recommended an intestinal biopsy (the reasoning was because he was already under anesthesia and it would be better to do both at the same time). Since I wanted to wait for the results of the biopsy before deciding if it was time to let him go, I opted for the feeding tube. He did very well with it and to make a long story short, it took him 5 weeks of feedings through a tube (PEG, not one through the neck, not one through the nose, which really is easier than it sounds!) before he started eating again. His biopsy came back showing IBD but your cat is young and though it can happen, I'd suspect something more like nausea after surgery and antibiotics, maybe his tummy never got back to normal and maybe he has some liver damage from not eating (which can only be reversed with nutrition and medication). Shadow's (who was nearly 10 years old at the time, BTW) liver values never went sky high until he was very sick; there was no gradual elavation that sent up a red-flag to his vet during the time he was anorexic and I went through what you are going through - they just didn't know what was going on. In hindsight, one thing I would have done differently was to have him admitted to the vets office overnight when this first started so he could be on intensive fluid therapy. They said (and read much later) that dehydration makes a cat go anorexic. I was selfish and didn't want to leave him alone and scared in a vets office in a cage for the night. Best of luck to you and your kitty. My kitties including Shadow almost 2 years after this!! are sending healing purrs. One other suggestion: if you decide to go this route, please be selective in who you choose for an internist. Get good references from your regular vet and not just a list to choose from. SignatureCheryl I shall call him Squishy and he shall be mine. And he shall be my Squishy. Come here Squishy. Ow. Bad Squishy. - Dori Thanks Cheryl. It's good to hear about others who have been through this, and worse, and made it through. It's easy to get discouraged, but I'm glad you all won't let me. :) I'm giving Bud fludis at home now too. Maybe the combo of fluids and food will take care of things and we won't have to go the feeding tube route. I only wish now I could get Bud to keep his food down. He seems to throw up after every other feeding. I've got him on meds to keep the nausea away, hopefully it kicks in soon. Ahh well. We're doing better though. Thanks again for your thoughts. R >>I only wish now I could get Bud to keep his food down. He > seems to throw up after every other feeding. I've got him on meds to > keep the nausea away, hopefully it kicks in soon. I'm glad things are looking up. It is true that Bud is too young to give up on as long as there are things you can do to help him. You both have lots of people sending good thoughts your way. > I'm glad things are looking up. It is true that Bud is too young to > give up on as long as there are things you can do to help him. You > both have lots of people sending good thoughts your way. Very true, and thanks again. Seriously, reading others expirences and just knowing others are pulling for us helps so much. It's about time for feeding #1. He threw up again last night but bless his little heart, he did it in the litter box. He has been throwing up on the bathmat he's taken up residency on and then he lies in it. Yuck. Poor guy, I'll know he's feeling better when he starts grooming again. Everyday is a little step. He hasn't gotten any worse and he seems to have somemore fight in him. R |
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