Appetite Stimulants

My cat, Sid, has been diagnosed with Feline Leukemia. Over the past 5 months since her diagnoses, she has gotten sick here and there, but has always seemed to pull out of it within days of visiting the vet. Unfortunately, last week Sid began to get sick again. She has a complete loss of appetite (it's been nearly 5 days since she's eaten any food!) and is experiencing violent vomitting (of what I suspect is bile/stomache acids). I was hoping that someone could suggest something (ANYTHING!) to help to increase her appetite (the only thing I can seem get her to take is soy milk through a medicine dropper). I'm terrified that Sid will end up starving to death! Any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks.

[email protected]

Try giving Sid some canned food mixed with Cod liver oil. Just start out with a little bit at a time, gradually increase it until he is getting about a tablespoon a day. Also sprinkle his dry food with Nutri-Yeast, use just a little bit of that at first, you can get it at a health food store. It will help him to keep his weight up. Good luck

Vitacal is a supplement that comes in a tube (like hairball remedy). It is also supposed to stimulate appetite. It might be sold at your local petstore. If not, you can order it online at www.drsfostersmith.com . It also is high-calorie to give Sid some energy. Good Luck!

Poor little Sid - please let us know how he's doing!

Poor little Sid - please let us know how he's doing!

What did the vet say about his current illness. FeLV weakes the immune system but you can sometimes fight particular infections with the right medical treatment.

I am sorry your baby is going through such a rough time. I hope she can pull out of this. The vitacal is a really good idea. The fish oil usually will get the nose to activate the stomach. You can also try giving her some Lactaid,(it tastes a little better than soy) whole milk. I hope she's okay. Please let us know how she's doing.

Another suggestion would be V.A.L. Syrup, which is high in B vitamins, an appetite stimulant. You might also try making Kitten Glop, a hit with almost all cats and kittens and will provide a lot of beneficial items for weight gain. It is easy to make and inexpensive as well, but it really works. If you can't find the recipe let me know and I will post it for you. This is a rough road to hoe and my sympathies are with you.

Pete

How do you make kitten glop?

Originally posted by gerry
How do you make kitten glop?

Click to expand...

Hello Gerry,
This is a recipe packed with nutrition for orphaned kittens, nursing mother cats and their kittens, cats recuperating from illness, and older cats or slower developing kittens who need nutritional supplementing.
Some recipes call for goat's milk and if you have it or can find it fine (comes canned or in the refrigerated dairy section), otherwise canned evaporated milk works well. Many older cats, however, have difficulties digesting cow's milk; the acidophilus may help with this but you might want to make a small batch to test with first.
The recipe sets up to a gelatin-like consistency in the refrigerator and can be stored there for up to two weeks. You can also freeze it in ice cube trays for convenient serving portions. Warm to room temperature to serve and discard any unused warmed portions; do NOT pour back with the mix!
Ingredients
12 oz water
1 envelope Knox gelatin
1 12oz can whole evaporated milk (not skim)
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 tablespoons plain yogurt (not non-fat)
Boil the water, add the gelatin and stir well. Add the following ingredients in order, mixing well after each addition:
1/2 of the canned milk
mayonnaise & yogurt
rest of the milk

Variations include adding kitten vitamins, V.A.L. Syrup (a tablespoon or two), acidophilus, and/or pureed baby food meat (no onion in the ingredients!). Another variation includes 2 egg yolks but here is a risk of Salmonella with the raw eggs.
For mixing you can use a blender on low speed (I use a wire whisk).

Hope this helps.

Pete

Thanks so much for typing the recipe! I really needed it fast! I will make it right away and try it on an older cat.

Originally posted by gerry

Thanks so much for typing the recipe! I really needed it fast! I will make it right away and try it on an older cat.

Click to expand...

Gerry,
You can feed it as soon as you make it; it will be a watery consistency they can just lap up. It will set up and turn like Jell-O in the refrigerator. To warm it we put it in the microwave for about 5 seconds. (Don't want it hot) We have cats who will eat it right out of the refrigerator but I don't recommend that.
Pete