Cat Unwell, No Answers

[Shd157]

Hello,
Hoping to get some ideas on my 15 year old kitty. 9 days ago, he stopped eating. He had been to the vet 6 months prior and had nothing out of the norm and has been a spry, happy indoor cat. Once he stopped eating, he vomited twice and began hiding and just crouching down. I think he went 2 whole days without sleeping. Brought him to the emergency vet on day 2 and they did blood work and x-rays. They found nothing wrong. Normal blood work, no masses or anything on x-ray. Only his pancreas test came back abnormal but they said that could just be from the vomiting. Since his bladder felt large, they thought maybe it was a urinary blockage, although he really wasn't showing those symptoms. They drained his bladder and sent me home to monitor him (I elected not to do the expensive catheter procedure due to cost, his age, and their uncertainty). Two days later, his condition hadn't changed for better or wose. Drinking, peeing, and eating very little but still eating a bit. Lethargic and weak legs. Brought him back. This time his bladder was small and soft so they treated him for constipation with 3 enemas. He pooped plenty. Still, no change. Now 4 days after that and he's the same. Limited food and water intake, lethargic, but sleeping again, affectionate, and interested in food although he won't eat. The 2nd vet that saw him reviewed blood work and x-rays, plus gave him an exam and finds nothing wrong.
I love him and would not leave him to suffer but every time I think it's time, he rebounds a bit. This morning he climbed the stairs to wake me. Hasn't done that in 10 days. Any ideas? I am told kidneys seem fine, doesn't seem like cancer, etc.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Hi. There has got to be something that is causing this change. How about CT scans, MRI? Tumors somewhere? I mean, a healthy 75 yo person (about the same as a 15 yo cat) would not just up and quit eating without a reason, and if it were your grandmother you wouldn't want to see her wither away without additional testing, I am guessing.

By now, the lethargy and weakness could be solely attributed to his lack of nutrition.

Do you have a vet university nearby that you could consult with? I believe most will take the records for the tests that have already been done. If not, I would strongly suggest a second opinion, ideally from a cat-only vet - who would also accept existing records.

In the meantime, @Furballsmom always provides a list of foods you could try to entice him to eat. I think this is it:

Try some raw egg yolk. Egg white must always be cooked, and some people cook the white and make a slurry of sorts by adding in the raw yolk.

Nutri-cal or similar product. Or, recipes from Kitten-Rescue.com.

The below items can be used on their own or combined with food. Also, if you heat the food a little - stir it so there aren't any hot spots from the microwave.
Or you could heat some water, about a tablespoon, and add that to canned food. A small glass works to stir it all up.

· Chicken, beef or ham flavored (pureed) baby food such as Gerber Stage 2 - make sure there is no garlic or onions in the ingredients
· Tuna and/or the juice, a low mercury/low/no sodium brand is called SafeCatch
· Salmon, mackerel
· Sardines (make sure there are no bones)
· boiled cut up chicken or turkey with no seasonings
· canned kitten food any brand
· Try mixing in Kitten Milk Replacer - there are recipes on the internet or store bought
· Fish, tuna or BBQ flavored canned wet food (I personally have never seen BBQ flavors, but...)
· Lickable cat treats or pouch treat 'gravy' poured over the food
· kitten glop (recipes in website link above)
· Bonito flakes
· fortiflora
· fish oil
· green beans, asparagus mushed up, lettuce, applesauce, mashed chickpeas, black olives
· whipped topping such as reddiwhip
· dry pasta
· goat milk, or no lactose cow milk
· whole cooked eggs (the white must always be cooked) or raw egg yolk now and then
· broth with no salt and no garlic or onion or seasonings of any kind
· There are also commercial toppers, Applaws is a brand that can work well as a topper
· Some good treats would be freeze dried Purebites, Orijen, Meowtinis, Meowables, Only Natural Pet, Primal
· There are also Lickimats that you could spread types of soft food onto, even plain unflavored yogurt, and even freeze it. Licking something can help a cat to feel better emotionally The LickiMat - Food Puzzles for Cats
· shredded cheddar cheese, string cheese

I hope other members come along and offer some additional tips as well. Please keep us posted on what you do and how he is doing.

 

[Shd157]

Thank you. The vet we saw didn't feel further testing was warranted. Of course i want answers. No University nearby but I will look into a cat specialist now. I also plan to call his regular vet as soon as they open. I have been trying many of those food suggestions but I will try others tonight. Thanks again.