Cerenia is available in a transdermal version from Wedgewood, among other options. We use transdermal for Ireland. Our vet said the dosing is different for the transdermal formulation (you need to give more mgs of the actual compound) but it works well for Ireland. Her sister, however, absolutely hated transdermal when I tried applying it once since I'd much rather give her Cerenia that way instead of in her food.
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missy sudden behavior change: no longer eating breakfast, just hides
- Thread starter louisstools
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- #82
Her insulin shots are sub-q so I don't see how Cerenia would be any different. Definitely something to ask the vet about.
I've also had the same thoughts, she's doing this to please or it's nausea, or some mix. The frequency is what makes this hard to nail down b/c she's always like this so if she's not feeling well she is not feeling well 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Regarding food intolerance, there was a six month period when this started when she was on wet food and no kibble. She was like this in that time too.
She's a puzzle for certain, my cat.
I've also had the same thoughts, she's doing this to please or it's nausea, or some mix. The frequency is what makes this hard to nail down b/c she's always like this so if she's not feeling well she is not feeling well 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Regarding food intolerance, there was a six month period when this started when she was on wet food and no kibble. She was like this in that time too.
She's a puzzle for certain, my cat.
You saw the post above about a transdermal version of Cerenia? I would first press for the sub-Q version though, and if that doesn't go over with your vet, then you can look into the transdermal one. Since you do the insulin, that should help your vet agree to the Cerenia shots, I hope.
Just changing from dry to wet and assuming that change would resolve a food intolerance is not necessarily an answer. There are so many ingredients in both dry and wet food that could be the culprit.
But, you have to start somewhere with possible 'simple' fixes, since the testing you've done didn't reap any results, and maybe Cerenia might be where to start.
Just changing from dry to wet and assuming that change would resolve a food intolerance is not necessarily an answer. There are so many ingredients in both dry and wet food that could be the culprit.
But, you have to start somewhere with possible 'simple' fixes, since the testing you've done didn't reap any results, and maybe Cerenia might be where to start.
The transdermal version would be rubbed into her ear! It works really well with some cats.
I also want to add that what you describe about Missy's behavior around a plate of food sounds very familiar for Ireland when she's constipated. As
FeebysOwner
mentions above, "her lack of appetite is not likely to just magically disappear" if the root cause of her nausea/inappetence isn't successfully treated. And -- Missy's enema and other history -- I'm still rooting for you to be able to figure out a way to ease her constipation. I think a lot of cats are very puzzling -- our two are really outdoing themselves this year!
I only mentioned the sub-Q route because L louisstools is already giving Missy transdermal Mirataz and she is less than enamored with it. But, yes, possible constipation is another matter that is not (yet) resolved. If only they had a sub-Q or transdermal med for that!!
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- #86
Bit of an update - things are getting a lot worse with the hiding. It started back up this past Tuesday (5 days ago) where she would eat her first two meals (I feed her, go shower, feed her) and then she would hide. Then yesterday/Friday she went to hiding as soon as first meal was done. Today when I opened my bedroom door to go feed her (first thing I do), she bolted past me and went into hiding. I pulled her out and she ate 0.1oz by scale and then ran back to hiding. I then pulled her out again to dope her up and shoot her with insulin and she prompty ran back into hiding. And I'm using the word run intentionally. She is RUNNING. This cat has trouble walking and walks very slowly with a limp when she needs to get a drink or go to the litter box. But she is RUNNING to her hiding spot.
She's basically just wanting to spend the morning hiding. If she's not eating then she isn't drinking. If she's not drinking then her UTIs and constipation come roaring back fast. Not to mention it makes it a lot harder to give her the appetite stimulant and insulin. The only thing I can do is dope her up (the vet knows some days i have to give her a lot more than the prescribed amount but since the cat's weight is in slow decline the vet is ok) and every 15 minutes try and get her to come out.
I don't think this is a medical issue b/c the rest of the day she will be fine. It's just the morning that scares her or something. The morning is 45% of her calories so it's pretty important. The vet said I could bring her in, again, but it's unlikely she would find anything. The behaviorist said we've exhausted all the ideas and things to improve things for the cat and she's not continued to respond.
She's basically just wanting to spend the morning hiding. If she's not eating then she isn't drinking. If she's not drinking then her UTIs and constipation come roaring back fast. Not to mention it makes it a lot harder to give her the appetite stimulant and insulin. The only thing I can do is dope her up (the vet knows some days i have to give her a lot more than the prescribed amount but since the cat's weight is in slow decline the vet is ok) and every 15 minutes try and get her to come out.
I don't think this is a medical issue b/c the rest of the day she will be fine. It's just the morning that scares her or something. The morning is 45% of her calories so it's pretty important. The vet said I could bring her in, again, but it's unlikely she would find anything. The behaviorist said we've exhausted all the ideas and things to improve things for the cat and she's not continued to respond.
The morning is the time that you spend the most effort to get her to eat, so it stands to reason that would be when she is most inclined to try and hide from you.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #88
Yep. It's also, sadly, when she gets the most attention. On a normal day I would play and pet her for about 90 minutes (the time in between the 4 meals).
I am guessing the days she hides are the days when she feels less like eating than other days, and is hoping by hiding you won't make her. She is willing to give up play time and attention in order to avoid being forced to eat. Just keep in mind that the last time she did this, she ended up needing an enema, so it is possible that she is getting constipated again.
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- #90
Yes, constipation is always in the back of my mind but she's been pretty agreeable and pleasant other than the hiding. She's also taken three poos today, two spread out over night and one large one just a few minutes ago. I think she's just done with the old morning routine.
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I know nothing but I have a couple of questions. Does the cat look like she is not eating as in has lost a lot of weight? Is it possible the cat is nibbling while you are sleeping or do you keep that close of a watch on the dry food in the bowl?
I feel for you I've had quite a few cats over the years where you watch over them like a child hoping something improves. Problem you have is the cat is tired of the morning routine so that's why she hides. Vet says everything is normal bloodwork and that?
I'd leave her alone and see if she tries to eat by herself. Good luck I know the feeling. I had two go over 19 years very close companions when one died the other went within 6 weeks. Might be grief but 3 years now? Might be lonely.
I feel for you I've had quite a few cats over the years where you watch over them like a child hoping something improves. Problem you have is the cat is tired of the morning routine so that's why she hides. Vet says everything is normal bloodwork and that?
I'd leave her alone and see if she tries to eat by herself. Good luck I know the feeling. I had two go over 19 years very close companions when one died the other went within 6 weeks. Might be grief but 3 years now? Might be lonely.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #92
S
southbound
- answers to your questions!
I spend 6 hours a day at the bowl getting her to eat, give her appetite stimulant, and otherwise revolve my life around her appetite. The cat's weight, thus far, has been stable though slightly on the decline. If I let up one hair then her weight crashes.
It is not possible. I have cameras on the bowl that send me motion alerts. She only eats when I'm there coaxing her.
Yeah, we had two vet visits earlier in this month and things checked out ok other than she was a bit constipated. We're not due for bloodwork until the spring but it was fine last go-around.
I've tried leaving her alone but she generally speaking just won't eat. She rarely eats while I'm sleeping. Very early on, I did try for about a week to leave her alone but I found she never even walked to the bowl. She would eat a teaspoon of kibble for breakfast and then nothing for 12 hours until dinner and she'd eat a teaspoon of kibble again. That was all she would eat of her own volition. It was probably 40 calories. By day four we were at the vet, and by day six I had to get involved b/c her weight was crashing and she wasn't drinking (if she's not eating she isn't drinking). We've been in this weird stalemate ever since.
I spend 6 hours a day at the bowl getting her to eat, give her appetite stimulant, and otherwise revolve my life around her appetite. The cat's weight, thus far, has been stable though slightly on the decline. If I let up one hair then her weight crashes.
It is not possible. I have cameras on the bowl that send me motion alerts. She only eats when I'm there coaxing her.
Yeah, we had two vet visits earlier in this month and things checked out ok other than she was a bit constipated. We're not due for bloodwork until the spring but it was fine last go-around.
I've tried leaving her alone but she generally speaking just won't eat. She rarely eats while I'm sleeping. Very early on, I did try for about a week to leave her alone but I found she never even walked to the bowl. She would eat a teaspoon of kibble for breakfast and then nothing for 12 hours until dinner and she'd eat a teaspoon of kibble again. That was all she would eat of her own volition. It was probably 40 calories. By day four we were at the vet, and by day six I had to get involved b/c her weight was crashing and she wasn't drinking (if she's not eating she isn't drinking). We've been in this weird stalemate ever since.
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I'm sure you've tried every food under the sun. I'd be at my wit's end too. Seen vets and specialists as in multiple doctors? Gotta be something if not physical then emotional/mental. My wife would get another cat to see if that would spark your cat up.
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- #94
Getting another cat is not an option. I don’t want this one and I haven’t for three years. I will never have a pet after this experience. It’s not worth it. But she gave me a good nine years and I’ve been hoping that we can get her under control but I’m starting to lose faith.
Don't forget there are other things to try, as we have discussed - as soon as you can catch your breath to follow through.
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- #96
I know we got just a couple of things left to try. Just saying it’s exhausting is an understatement but you of all people know what it’s like. I know she’ll never be the cat that she was but I’m hoping we can come up with a compromise to where she’s got a better quality of life and I can have a life.
I understand what you are saying. But, there is a correlation between your and her QOL, and vice-versa. I think what is going on with Missy is just as confusing for her as it is for you, probably more so when she can feel your frustration.
I do feel like the better my attitude was, the better Feeby's was. There were times it was hard to pull it off for her, but I did it anyway, and could see a positive response/reaction from her.
While my life may be 'easier' without her, it was a hard price to pay. I always knew I had a life that would go well beyond hers, so every extra day I had with her was worth it.
I do feel like the better my attitude was, the better Feeby's was. There were times it was hard to pull it off for her, but I did it anyway, and could see a positive response/reaction from her.
While my life may be 'easier' without her, it was a hard price to pay. I always knew I had a life that would go well beyond hers, so every extra day I had with her was worth it.
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- #98
Our behaviorist talks about the attitude a lot, just like you mentioned. It's hard to keep positive because I'm so tired: physically, of her, and of not having any life. She does not improve or even let up. She knows I'm constantly upset at her but there's nothing I can do about that because I am.
You've got to find a way, you really do. Being upset only makes things worse for you - and Missy. What does the behaviorist advise you to do?
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The Cerenia really burns when given.
