Tube Feeding - Potential Problem, Urgent, Please Help

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epona

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Update: 30th May

He's doing really really well, most of his fur has grown back (still a bit shorter over his shoulder that was shaved for the fentanyl patch, that was always going to take longer to grow back in due to not as many capillaries in that part of the skin).

He's almost back up to his target weight.

He still won't eat any dry, and pesters when I am asleep for me to feed him every 3 hours. But I am happy to do that. I wonder if even though he was anorexic for a while and refused food, he remembers feeling hungry now he is better. I'm just happy that he is more or less normal and healthy and pestering me for food and eating - the best sound in the world is him slurping at his food bowl :D
 
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epona

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Absolutely!!!
When I hear my Pallina chewing or eating or licking I am happy!!! :)
I just want to say that your support really helped me through the whole tube feeding ordeal, your posts helped to keep my sanity on an even keel throughout Radar's anorexia - I can't thank you enough for that. I just want you to know what a massive help and support you were through it all.
 

Antonio65

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epona epona , don't even mention it. I'm so happy when things go the right way.
Having myself gone through different stages of hospicing a sick cat, I just want to share with others what has worked for me.

Thank you for your efforts in helping Radar. I know that he's your cat, but not everyone goes the extra mile to save their cats, many people give up after a few weeks. You're a warrior for your Radar, take pride from this!
 

ineedhelpnow

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Update: 30th May

He's doing really really well, most of his fur has grown back (still a bit shorter over his shoulder that was shaved for the fentanyl patch, that was always going to take longer to grow back in due to not as many capillaries in that part of the skin).

He's almost back up to his target weight.

He still won't eat any dry, and pesters when I am asleep for me to feed him every 3 hours. But I am happy to do that. I wonder if even though he was anorexic for a while and refused food, he remembers feeling hungry now he is better. I'm just happy that he is more or less normal and healthy and pestering me for food and eating - the best sound in the world is him slurping at his food bowl :D
I'm so glad he's better. Thank you for sharing Radar's journey with us. You've certainly helped me recover Allen and he's very thankful for that :)

Cat-2 Lipidosis-0
 
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epona

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epona epona , don't even mention it. I'm so happy when things go the right way.
Having myself gone through different stages of hospicing a sick cat, I just want to share with others what has worked for me.

Thank you for your efforts in helping Radar. I know that he's your cat, but not everyone goes the extra mile to save their cats, many people give up after a few weeks. You're a warrior for your Radar, take pride from this!
I'll always be there for my boys - there sometimes comes a time when for their welfare you say enough is enough, but Radar didn't get to that point thank goodness. I mean sure, he wasn't eating, but that is a known phenomenon in cats that are ill or recovering from surgery - he was still cuddly and affectionate and attention-seeking and playful and happy (once the pain and drugs from the initial surgery had worn off and he started getting some energy back after the weight loss).

I was terrified at first, having to take care of a basic primary need for him like that - I mean having a tube in your emaciated cat that won't eat is upsetting, even if he seems happy enough in himself. I was worried I wasn't going to be able to tube-feed correctly. I was worried he wouldn't regain his appetite. And then when he vomited the feeding tube half out and injured himself - we got him out of the carrier at the vet hospital he was covered in blood... even without that, every day I worried he wouldn't pull through. But even if that were the case, it wouldn't have been without me making my best effort to do whatever was right for him.

I think for whatever reason, he knows that too - he's always been affectionate, but now he seems almost glued to me, and wants to sleep with his head resting on my cheek, or curled up in my arms.
 

ineedhelpnow

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I'll always be there for my boys - there sometimes comes a time when for their welfare you say enough is enough, but Radar didn't get to that point thank goodness. I mean sure, he wasn't eating, but that is a known phenomenon in cats that are ill or recovering from surgery - he was still cuddly and affectionate and attention-seeking and playful and happy (once the pain and drugs from the initial surgery had worn off and he started getting some energy back after the weight loss).

I was terrified at first, having to take care of a basic primary need for him like that - I mean having a tube in your emaciated cat that won't eat is upsetting, even if he seems happy enough in himself. I was worried I wasn't going to be able to tube-feed correctly. I was worried he wouldn't regain his appetite. And then when he vomited the feeding tube half out and injured himself - we got him out of the carrier at the vet hospital he was covered in blood... even without that, every day I worried he wouldn't pull through. But even if that were the case, it wouldn't have been without me making my best effort to do whatever was right for him.

I think for whatever reason, he knows that too - he's always been affectionate, but now he seems almost glued to me, and wants to sleep with his head resting on my cheek, or curled up in my arms.
That's really heartwarming, I felt the same way. Animals are very gracious when you help them or save their life. They really do feel our feelings. When you look into their eyes you really sense it's not just your own emotions staring back at yourself, there's something else there. A deep connection.

I'm so glad he's better now. That's really good news. This isn't pertaining to your case specifically, but for future reference I hope caregivers can have a better and more meaningful discussion with their doctors before they force their pet to go under the knife. Having a conversation of risks vs. benefits, possible complications, and any stress that the animal may go through, and alternative treatment options, (like trying a different method of syringe feeding, experimenting etc) always eliminate the risk of unwanted trauma for you and your animal. I found in my case that the information given by my vets and online were erring on the go for surgery option if your cat has problems eating, and I found that was totally unnecessary. If you know what you're doing, for example research how to properly syringe feed food into the mouth and not into the windpipe where your cat can aspirate that food into their lungs, and let your doctor know everything you're doing before you do it. If your vet is being stubborn for something minor like syringe feeding, then find another vet. Not all practices are made equal.

Thank you epona for sharing your journey with us. It's helped me and I bet countless others as well. Cheers.
 

halfbreed

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I would prefer to pm, but my brain isn't working. Facebook page Feline Assisted Feeding group, they know just about everything about tube feeding. Helped me out a lot in the past. I understand we aren't suppose to refer to other social sites, such as facebook, but this is a support group for specific medical situations. Please let this post stand. Many could benefit.
Unfortunately all posts are down except the profile pic. ??
 

kskatt

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No the yahoo group is what I've been a member of for a couple of years. That's where you need to try. They seem to be pretty much member run, you'll be talking to people in your shoes, and those that have tons of experience. Also files with all the basic info +.
 
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epona

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Update - Radar had his vaccinations today, and of course a checkup too.

He weighed in at 3.65kg, which is a bit less than he weighed a year ago, but is in healthy range for his size :) If he gains another 200g that is also ok, but his weight is fine and in the healthy range for his size now.

He is apparently in good health, but there are some signs that he is ageing - he has a minor heart murmur (which we have known about for a while), some slight eye opacity, and his teeth aren't great - but not too bad given his age. He has to go in for a dental cleaning and maybe an extraction or two. He's nearly 13 and this is the first time he has had a dental issue in his life. We'll get that sorted, I will of course be sick with worry until he is home and eating afterwards.

Our vet gives vaccinations in the tail (which makes rare complications such as injection site sarcoma much easier to deal with and better prognosis than from injections around the neck area), I think (just judging from the reactions of my cats - I know their behaviour patterns and reactions well) it is a tiny little bit more uncomfortable for the cat but if they are tame and not a wriggler it is worth it and soon forgiven.
 
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jcat

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All around good news, then. :clapcat:

I've seen more and more recommendations to vaccinate in the tail. Most vets moved to alternate hind legs years ago, so it won't be long before most are using the tail.
 
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epona

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All around good news, then. :clapcat:

I've seen more and more recommendations to vaccinate in the tail. Most vets moved to alternate hind legs years ago, so it won't be long before most are using the tail.
Yes, mine have all had vaccinations in the hind legs over the last few years - studies have been done that demonstrate the efficacy of vaccinations administered under the skin of the tail, so that seems to be the way forward now.
 
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