- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #21
I appreciate your input here, but not sure about your tone. Directive is fine, but a little too brash IMO. There is no need for that. You're obviously an expert in regards to CKD, I'm not..
I just noticed that, twice now, you've used the term "whole milk"........exactly what is that?
(IF, by "whole milk".........you mean cow's milk, then you really should know that it can be a problem, because most cats are lactose intolerant. That's probably a recipe for, at least, an upset stomach. He may lap it up - that may give you some satisfaction - but, he shouldn't have it. A lactose-free cat milk, like KMR would be fine.)
The video I gave you demonstrates how to "place" the food slurry across the front of his tongue, not straight back into his mouth. [Most of the YT videos I've seen show the food being instilled straight on and into - inside - the mouth. That's forcing.....across the tongue is 'offering'.]
If the food is getting on you, then you're not following that example - most likely, you holding him between your legs and syringing it at him....and, of course, he will resist that to the max.
Also.........if that much food is winding up on you and on him...........you're putting too much in his mouth each time. JUST DROPLETS, only drops at a time will do (and then, wait a few moments so the cat can clear his mouth). Think of just how little water cats will take into their mouths when voluntarily drinking/lapping up............that's how much liquid they are accustomed to having in their mouths at a time. A ml is nothing for us.....it's a ton for a cat! A cat will probably have the sensation that he is drowning if/when larger quantities are forced into his mouth. We shouldn't wonder why they struggle so much!
I cautioned about the danger of his aspirating the liquid food..........
Instilling 'large' quantities of liquid food at a time greatly increases the risk of aspiration.
Cats are particularly susceptible to developing a very serious, and often fatal, form of pneumonia, "aspiration pneumonia", should they 'choke' and breathe in foreign material. For a cat who's already compromised, this can seal his fate.
The devil is in the details in all this.
Now, take a look at that video from post #9.......while that cat isn't happy, assess for yourself whether/not what's shown there is easier for both the cat and the person feeding. Notice that there's far less resistance from that cat at the end of the feeding than there was initially.
[you may still have to have him between your legs to 'contain' him, but having the food presented from the side versus straight on should 'ease' the overall experience)
I know I've been very explicit and directive. As I wrote, the detail of the technique will make all the difference. And, I write from many months of personal experience.
You write about how difficult this is turning out to be....it IS difficult. It's physically exhausting. It's emotionally draining. It's sleepless nights. It's interrupted sleep. It's waking up terror-struck. It's crying. It's pleading.
Anything we can do to lessen the burden will make it a tad easier.
Keep posting. Post what is happening. Post your feelings. You'll get support, suggestions and more. Hopefully people with actual experience will be the ones to reply.
There are lots of us who have been where you two are today!
Now...........have you posted a picture (or more) of Bud recently? If not.........time to pay up
.
It's lactose free whole fat milk. It's it the only thing he will eat on his own both my vets said it was perfectly fine to give it to him.
I have never given a cat syringe feedings in my life until last night. I'm very aware of the aspiration risks. I'm only giving him about 1 ml at a time and slowly waiting for him to swallow it before giving more.
I've spent many days and many hours a day reading about CKD and how to treat it. It's trial by fire, but learning more everyday.
Last edited:
