Won't Eat - End Of My Rope

[laughingduck]

If cost is an issue perhaps you could look into a homemade diet? You can buy meat on sale and make large batches and freeze them. You dont even have to do “raw” you can do a homemade cooked diet. If it is a grain allergy you would need both grain-free kibble and canned food. Giving him a grain free kibble but not canned food would be kind of pointless. That is tough your cat doesnt like the quality canned foods, they can be so picky!! I hope you figure something out good luck!

 

[Stinky15]

The fluids are given to prevent dehydration in a cat that’s not taking in adequate amount of liquid. An electrolyte solution is about all you can give subcutaneously (SQ) because other substances may damage the tissue. Cats’ kidneys work differently from human kidneys and are very good at getting rid of any excess electrolytes and holding on to any water the cat needs.

I am surprised at how often you were instructed to give fluids. Even in my sickest cats, I was told to give fluids just twice a day. Usually, it’s once a day. I would mention to your vet how difficult you are finding the fluid administration and ask whether you could give them just once daily. Some things you can do to help the fluids go in faster are:

• Use the largest needle possible. I prefer a 14 gauge (pale green) or larger. Larger needles have smaller gauge numbers.
• Elevate the fluid bag or squeeze it (or both)
• Make sure the tubing is wide open; check that it’s not kinking
• If you are doing all these things and the fluid is not flowing well, try moving the needle back and forth just a bit, sometimes that helps.

Hope that helps. I hope that you figure out what’s going on with your kitty.

The fluids are given to prevent dehydration in a cat that’s not taking in adequate amount of liquid. An electrolyte solution is about all you can give subcutaneously (SQ) because other substances may damage the tissue. Cats’ kidneys work differently from human kidneys and are very good at getting rid of any excess electrolytes and holding on to any water the cat needs.

I am surprised at how often you were instructed to give fluids. Even in my sickest cats, I was told to give fluids just twice a day. Usually, it’s once a day. I would mention to your vet how difficult you are finding the fluid administration and ask whether you could give them just once daily. Some things you can do to help the fluids go in faster are:

• Use the largest needle possible. I prefer a 14 gauge (pale green) or larger. Larger needles have smaller gauge numbers.
• Elevate the fluid bag or squeeze it (or both)
• Make sure the tubing is wide open; check that it’s not kinking
• If you are doing all these things and the fluid is not flowing well, try moving the needle back and forth just a bit, sometimes that helps.

Hope that helps. I hope that you figure out what’s going on with your kitty.

At this point I'm more concerned about him being traumatized, especially after me giving him fluids yesterday. He watches me closely now when I get up and move. I didn't give him his kitty aspirin today and if he continues to eat I won't give him the appetite stimulant either. I hate to not do the fluids so I may do another round this afternoon. He ate a couple of grain free cat treats a bit ago which is encouraging because he hasn't wanted them at all the last few weeks.

 

[GGG]

When my Neutered ~2-1/2 y.o. male indoor/outdoor rescue cat quit eating late March I got nervous and took him to the Vet. He was about 1 y.o. when I rescued him and he's been on Purina Pro Plan True Nature and Fancy Feast cat meat exclusively for last 1 yr plus. he enjoys a little grilled chicken and pork chops when I eat it. The Vet. did a full physical exam and blood work and told me he could find no problem. The Vet. gave me Mizertapine to give him every 3 days and he immediately started eating again, although not as good as usual. I went through several weeks of giving pills and then he seemed to do a little better with no pills. I found some different Fancy Feast he would eat plus I let him free range some kibble. He will beg for food and he might eat a few bites of cat meat only to walk away, then a few minutes later he may come back and eat a few bites of kibble. Mid May he seemed to quit eating again so I got another round of pills (4- 1/4 pills or 12 days worth). He did okay on the pills. 6/1 I took him in for Vaccinations. His weight was about normal at 10.4 lbs. 6/3 he wasn't eating well and turned down several varieties of canned meat but ate a few bites of kibble. 6/4 still not eating much, his last pill was about 4 days ago. In my exasperation and emotional upset I decided to take him to the Vet. again. I let Vet. run more tests, full blood work, urine etc. and an Xray. He found nothing abnormal but did make a comment that one kidney was a little larger but dismissed it as a problem. He gave me several more pills and told me he would refer me to a specialist if I wanted or he could do an ultrasound. He had lost .6# between the 2 Vet. visits (3 days) which I find suspect. I remember at the time I got Vaccinations that I thought it was odd he weighed the same as original Vet visit as he looked thin to me.The day after all the tests and xrays I decided to let the Vet. refer me to a specialist. 2 days later they called and said they would do the referral. I asked where it was and it was 165 miles away at a University Vet. school hospital. I asked if we could find something closer and she said yes. I told her I wanted to wait a week as he seemed to be doing a little better, she said fine. Tomorrow afternoon he is due another pill and I think I am going to try tough love and see if he will eat without the meds. I am thinking now I may just let the Vet. do the ultrasound and if he finds nothing else he can refer me to a specialist nearer than the 165 miles away. I have tried so many varieties of cat meat and kibble I can't list them all. Sometimes when he turns his nose up at something he normally eats I can give him a treat or human baby food and he will start eating, sometimes he turns it all down. He pretty consistently will eat kibble but not enough to gain weight. Since the last Vet. visit I got a scale I could weigh him on and he is back to his normal weight or above slightly. I would appreciate any help/comments. Sorry if I rambled and I am sure there is a lot of details I may have left out. He doesn't act stressed/scared that I can tell.

Stinky15,
I don't know if I can be much help (I'm a new fur baby mom) I just thought to share my experience with you. My Kitty is 5 months old and eats her dry food well, but she didn't like her wet food anymore. So I tried MANY MANY different brands and flavors including the one are sold at vet office only (no luck) I found " weruva " that comes in pouches ( she didn't like any wet food in cans)and she loved that one( cat in the kitchen, Love me tender, chicken and duck)It has gravey. I looked into it and the reviews were good. It did give her some diarrhea ( I took her to the vet because of diarrhea, vet said it takes a few days to get used to it. Now she's fine)... if you feel comfortable trying that brand ( maybe you can ask your kitty's vet if it's okay to try) but that brand worked for mine (so far) if you decide to try it... introduce it very slowly so it doesn't upset his belly.
I did get a lot of help and advice in this group
I hope everything works out for you and your kitty!
Good luck

 

[Stinky15]

Well He has definitely turned some kind of corner. He begged this afternoon and ate nearly a full can of the grain free Purina I feed him. He was due an appetite stimulant and normally he wouldn't have eaten at all without it. He's not back 100% but this is encouraging. I skipped his aspirin and fluids to let him have a restful, non traumatic day. The Vet only started him on fluids in case his Pancreatitus test came back positive so we would be ahead of the game. I should hear Monday or Tuesday the results. Thanks everyone for the good thoughts.

 

[Tabbytastic]

Well He has definitely turned some kind of corner. He begged this afternoon and ate nearly a full can of the grain free Purina I feed him. He was due an appetite stimulant and normally he wouldn't have eaten at all without it. He's not back 100% but this is encouraging. I skipped his aspirin and fluids to let him have a restful, non traumatic day. The Vet only started him on fluids in case his Pancreatitus test came back positive so we would be ahead of the game. I should hear Monday or Tuesday the results. Thanks everyone for the good thoughts.

This is excellent news! Hope it continues, you’re doing a great job x

 

[GGG]

Well He has definitely turned some kind of corner. He begged this afternoon and ate nearly a full can of the grain free Purina I feed him. He was due an appetite stimulant and normally he wouldn't have eaten at all without it. He's not back 100% but this is encouraging. I skipped his aspirin and fluids to let him have a restful, non traumatic day. The Vet only started him on fluids in case his Pancreatitus test came back positive so we would be ahead of the game. I should hear Monday or Tuesday the results. Thanks everyone for the good thoughts.

Great news!

 

[silkenpaw]

Yay! So glad he’s doing better!

 

[Stinky15]

I think I have a new clue for the Vet. Sunday and today I noticed a little dried dark discharge at both nostrils. I'm calling the Vet. (again)! The good news is he is still eating without an appetite stimulant.

 

[Stinky15]

I think I have a new clue for the Vet. Sunday and today I noticed a little dried dark discharge at both nostrils. I'm calling the Vet. (again)! The good news is he is still eating without an appetite stimulant.

Called the Vet., he wants me to give Stinky a nasal antibiotic till we get results back for Pancreatitis test probably tomorrow.

 

[foxxycat]

That could be why he wont eat..cant smell his food

 

[Tabbytastic]

That could be why he wont eat..cant smell his food

Absolutely!

 

[Stinky15]

That could be why he wont eat..cant smell his food

I was wrong, it is just an oral liquid (Amoxycillin). I was thinking what a coincidence that he started back eating about the time the drainage showed up. Maybe a coincidence though.

 

[Stinky15]

This morning he wouldn't eat again, not even kibble. Finally gave him some fried chicken (meat only) and he ate a little. I have been giving antibiotics every day. Still some crusty brown stuff on nostrils, but not as bad as the other day. I tried cleaning it but no go. No results of Pancreatitis test from Fri. yet so I called. They said they only got partial results so far and Pancreatitis was negative not just Pancreatitis test. When they get all resuts back he will be going back to Vet. for this drainage thing with his nose. Looks like to me may be his nose may be the problem as he will smell and walk away. Good news is he ate a jar of baby food later this morning.

 

[foxxycat]

You can run the shower as hot as you can and sit in bathroom with door closed with kitty for 20 min to breathe mist. See if that helps.

 

[Stinky15]

You can run the shower as hot as you can and sit in bathroom with door closed with kitty for 20 min to breathe mist. See if that helps.

Yes it gets pretty dry in the house when the A/C is going, but he spends time outside where it is more humid. Today we are getting a little rain so the humidity is up, maybe that helps. On one of the Vet. visits I specifically told him that I thought he was just not smelling right because he will smell food and turn away like its not something to eat. The Vet. didn't pay much attention to that. All I saw him do was check his teeth/mouth. I'm sure he looked at his nose but it looked fine then. Hopefully we reach a resolution in the near future as I have lots of money invested in my little buddy with all these tests.

 

[Furballsmom]

There are even ways of setting up tabletop humidifiers with a tent for a cat that's stuffed up.
Do try the steamy shower, it really might help with super high, heated humidity for his airways.

 

[cat1967]

Good thing you weigh him. If he doesn't lose any more weight, that is a good sign. I had also tried all kinds of food brands and types and recipes without luck. My cat just wouldn't eat anything but he wasn't even drink water. One of my other cats didn't eat a lot of dry food that my others do, so what I did was take some canned food in mousse form, put a little water and give it to him. He adores that. He has been eating it for five years now once a day and he also eats dry food too. Cats can be so difficult with food. They love this dry food for sometime and then hate it. Also they meow like being so hungry and when I give them the food they just walk away.

 

[Stinky15]

Amazingly Vet. called me at 9:00 tonight with results oif the G.I. panel and apparently Stinky has way high Cobalamin levels. I have no idea what this means, everything I see about Cobalamin levels seems to talk about IBD and low levels of Cobalamin. He is giving me a different Antibiotic and Prednisone to see if this will help. His nose bleed or whatever it was seems to have gone away for the time being so we won't be addressing that for now unless something changes. I'm sure my cat is elated he won't be going to the Vet. this week. He did finally eat some canned meat this afternoon. So at least we have made a little headway.

 

[cat1967]

That is something. That he ate on his own. I hope the new meds help and he gets much better soon. My thoughts are with you and your baby!

 

[silkenpaw]

Intestinal bacteria make cobalamine. The vet probably thinks he has bacterial overgrowth in his gut and is treating that with the antibiotic. Not sure what the prednisone is for. Does the vet still think Stinky has IBD?

I hope he starts eating well soon. Let us know what happens.

As an aside, cats should get prednisolone, not prednisone. Prednisone is the precursor, prednisolone the active drug. People covert prednisone to prednisolone well; cats do not.