Please Help

I agree fervently with carolinalima about the feeding. It is so important that Pikey eat, even if it's by tube or IV fluids- he needs the nutrients!
Sending massive for you and your kitty.

Sending some good thoughts now.

I agree that the cat NEEDS food. He needs fluids (IV or subQ) and NEEDS food, tube feed, force feed, whatever but he has gone WAY too long without food.

You said you got blood work done? Did they check liver values. Please ask your doctor about liver values and the colour of the cats skin (yellow means liver failure). Also ask your doctor about Fatty Liver Syndrome or Hepatic Lipidosis which is caused by cats not eating for any reason.

Good luck and keep us posted

Jonny - any news???

ok... Now I have a bad feeling about this...
Jonny - please update us...

Hi Everyone!
Sorry for not updating sooner. You guys have all been so nice. I had to work 13 hours yesterday, so I had no time to post. Here's what's going on with Pikey. I picked him up from the vet yesterday afternoon before work (he'd been in the hospital two days) and the doctor's staff had just given him an enema. The doctor asked the staffer if he had a large bowel movement and the staffer said something to the effect of "not large, but medium." I don't know why the doctor waited until Friday to give him a enema when he said he was constipated back on Wednesday when I hospitalized him, but more on that later. Pikey still hasn't eaten or drank anything as far as I know. On Weds, the vet said told me Pikey was not dehydrated, saying he must be drinking when no one is watching. When I picked him up on Friday, I asked him if Pikey was dehydrated and he said "let me look." He pulled some skin back and said "perhaps a little now." Comforting to know he hasn't even thought about that.
Anyway, the doctor said I may as well take him home for the weekend (they hadn't even bathed him after the enema so I had to bath the poor little guy upon getting home-nice welcome home). The doctor said to force water down his throat with the syringe, which does seem to perk him up a bit and to force feed him the dry cat food (IAMS) which I was doing before in a manner you would give a pill to a cat. That is working somewhat and Pikey does seem to perk up after the forced food and water. He has not gone to the bathroom at all since coming home yesterday afternoon.
What I plan to do is (should he survive the weekend-I'm off work till Tuesday), is buy some of the baby food people on this site recommended and continue to force feed him liquids and food until Monday when I can take him to another vet who was my regular vet before this all happened. As I stated before, Pikey never has really had anything wrong with him (he's only four) and he's only had yearly physicals, teeth cleanings and shots.
What bothers me most is that Pikey shows absolutely zero interest in food or water and its been a week now. I am going to ask the vet to give him an IV plus perhaps a vitamin B shot. The previous doctor took X-Rays and I'll have them sent to the new vet. The old vet still maintains has no idea what could be causing all this.
Anyway, I know this is long, but I wanted to update and thanks again to everyone for all their kind suggestions and well-wishes.
Johnny

Originally Posted by roby22

What I plan to do is (should he survive the weekend-I'm off work till Tuesday), is buy some of the baby food people on this site recommended and continue to force feed him liquids and food until Monday when I can take him to another vet who was my regular vet before this all happened.

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To be honest i would take him to another vet to be looked at sooner rather than later. Time is precious, and so is your little boys life

Originally Posted by Rosiemac

To be honest i would take him to another vet to be looked at sooner rather than later. Time is precious, and so is your little boys life

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I think so too... It's been too long and very little has been done about it... To tell you the truth it scares me that your vet has a license to "take care" of animals - no vet would leave a cat a week without food and fluids, that is insane.
I wouldn't force feed dry food either.
Please, if you go to the market, get some Karo syrup (in the same place where you get honey and maple syrup), and put some on his cheek to bring his sugar level up - this can stimulate his appetite some.
Please also be very proactive with feeding and giving him fluids - a little bit every 2 hours... Don't give up just because he doesn't want to eat - if you want him alive he NEEDS to eat. I don't even know how this kitty doesn't have fatty live disease yet...

I would definately take him to a vet sooner rather than later. Is there no weekend vet or number you could call for an emergency vet?

re: Karo syrup, someone recommended it when my dehydrated kitten was not eating, and another poster said

Becareful with Karo syrup....it is corn syrup, a sweetner used in baked goods. BUT Karo has been used for years by Mothers of babies who need to go poop. It is used to help constapation in small kids and infants. The corn syrup causes fluid to fill in the intestine and help pass stool. That how my daughters doctor explained it to me. So I would not give anyone who was not taking in a good amount of fluids Karo.

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http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...0&postcount=48

When I asked my vet, he said the same thing.... He'd recommend it if the cat is not dehydrated and just not eating.

Hi!
Thanks for your replies, but you don't understand. There are no other vets on weekends and holidays other than the one I mentioned. That's why I took him to that vet in the first place. I am doing all I can. I love my cat very much. I work two jobs and, although I am not hurting for money, I have to work in order for me (and him) to live. I thought I was doing the right thing taking him to a professional and it turned out he was either too busy or didn't give a crap, but I discovered that late this week, mostly yesterday. I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt (as I do with all people), even though I was beginning to have my doubts. I called the vet twice a day and visited him in the hospital.
Perhaps I should not post here anymore.

PS I'll try the Karo syrup, it sounds like a good idea for blood sugar. As I mentioned, he perks up briefly with the force feeding and drinking. I live on a small island and this guy was the only emergency vet I could get a hold of. I have spent over $1100 already on emergency visits, barium X-Rays, blood tests and prolonged hospital stays. And on Monday, I'll probably spend that again and then some. I AM TRYING TO DO ALL I CAN!!!

Originally Posted by roby22

Hi!
Thanks for your replies, but you don't understand. There are no other vets on weekends and holidays other than the one I mentioned. That's why I took him to that vet in the first place. I am doing all I can. I love my cat very much. I work two jobs and, although I am not hurting for money, I have to work in order for me (and him) to live. I thought I was doing the right thing taking him to a professional and it turned out he was either too busy or didn't give a crap, but I discovered that late this week, mostly yesterday. I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt (as I do with all people), even though I was beginning to have my doubts. I called the vet twice a day and visited him in the hospital.
Perhaps I should not post here anymore.

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Personally, I did not know that there are no vets on your island on the weekends and holidays

If you can get the baby food (make sure it has no garlic in it) and water it down and syringe feed it, it would be better and easier than the dry food.

I would keep trying what you are doing untill you can get into another vet Water and food is important, as you know.

I hope he pulls through this, and that the vet you see on Monday or Tues. is alot better than the one you did see.

So, there is a price for living in paradise!

I hadn't noticed where you are, and, although I've been to Kauai a couple of times, I never would have guessed that there was only one vet there.

Everyone here loves cats, and frequently the suggestions come fast and furious. We all have different experiences, live in different places, and have had successes (or failures) with different cats and different treatments. Don't take it hard that some of us panic; what you're saying scares many of us who have been down that road before.

As you say, you can only do what you can do.

Baby food (without onions as an ingredient--very important!) can sometimes perk up a cat. Very smelly, even cheap wet food, can work sometimes, too. But it makes me wonder if he has a "cold" and is having trouble smelling his food. Some kitten food will sometimes attract their attention, since it has a higher fat content. At this point, I doubt that that would do him any harm; he needs all the nutrition he can get.

Jonny -

Your post asked for help, and that is what we are trying to do. We do understand you, and from a distance we are trying to do everything in our power to guide you in a way to help your kitty survive. Sometimes it will hurt, but we can't just say what you want to hear here...
You mentioned you are going to be off until Tuesday? So during this time be very proactive with his food. Cats that don't eat can in a couple of days develop a very serious disease called Hepatic Lipidosis, of Fatty liver disease. That is why we have been insisting so much in you feeding him. Very often, and little by little.
Please know that we are not judging you (yes, I judge your vet, and think he is a joke), and we are all worried about your kitty... We are animal lovers, and it hurts to know that a kitty is suffering and we are away and can do little to help...
We can't force you to stay here, but if you do, we will gladly helpo you as much as we can...

Originally Posted by roby22

PS I'll try the Karo syrup, it sounds like a good idea for blood sugar. As I mentioned, he perks up briefly with the force feeding and drinking. I live on a small island and this guy was the only emergency vet I could get a hold of. I have spent over $1100 already on emergency visits, barium X-Rays, blood tests and prolonged hospital stays. And on Monday, I'll probably spend that again and then some. I AM TRYING TO DO ALL I CAN!!!

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About the Karo syrup: Just a little bit on his cheek, ok?

Hi! Just for the record, I did not say there is only one vet on Kauai. I said that when I became worried about my cat Sunday evening, I tried to contact my regular vet and he was not available after hours. So I looked at all the vets here on the island (as listed in the phone book), called all of them and only found one who was available to see my cat on an emergency basis. I took him in, the doctor examined him, said he thought it was hairballs and told me to bring him back in the morning (Monday) which I did.
He then examined him again and said he was still convinced it was hairballs, gave me some Laxatone and told to administer it twice a day, with the thought of him passing the hairball (which he did pass as well as a small bowel movement) and then after that Pikey's discomfort would ease somewhat and he'd eat again. We scheduled another appointment for Weds and when Pikey hadn't eaten by Tues night I was really getting worried. I called the doctor and he said to bring him in the next morning which I did. That's when they hospitalized him, ran all those tests and did the enema.
As for "just saying what I want to hear," I have no idea what you mean by that? As for "insisting that I feed him, very little and often, " why would you assume I am doing otherwise? Do you think I am just sitting around watching him suffer? I have been giving him small amounts of water twice an hour as well as force feeding him. You have to understand, HE HAS NO INTEREST AL ALL IN FOOD OR DRINK! NONE!
Sorry to be defensive, but I feel I am under attack here. I just wanted some helpful suggestions (which many of you were kind enough to give). Thanks
Johnny

As for "just saying what I want to hear," I have no idea what you mean by that?

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From this: "Perhaps I should not post here anymore. "

As for "insisting that I feed him, very little and often, " why would you assume I am doing otherwise?

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From this: "Pikey still hasn't eaten or drank anything as far as I know."

Sorry to be defensive, but I feel I am under attack here. I just wanted some helpful suggestions (which many of you were kind enough to give). Thanks
Johnny

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Nobody is attacking you here, and I am sorry you feel thins way.
I have worried since the first day you posted, and since you feel that I am attacking you, I am through with this thread.
All the luck for you and you kitty.

Originally Posted by roby22

You have to understand, HE HAS NO INTEREST AL ALL IN FOOD OR DRINK! NONE!

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One LAST thing, (again): he needs to eat, even if he is TUBE FED.

Originally Posted by roby22

As for "just saying what I want to hear," I have no idea what you mean by that? As for "insisting that I feed him, very little and often, " why would you assume I am doing otherwise? Do you think I am just sitting around watching him suffer? I have been giving him small amounts of water twice an hour as well as force feeding him. You have to understand, HE HAS NO INTEREST AL ALL IN FOOD OR DRINK! NONE!
Sorry to be defensive, but I feel I am under attack here. I just wanted some helpful suggestions (which many of you were kind enough to give). Thanks
Johnny

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Johnny, personally I don't blame you for being defensive, I was in the same position only just a week ago....if you want the link to the thread, I'll give it to you. Unfortunately, my story was with a 13wk old kitten and did not have a happy ending.

My kitten did not want to eat or drink either. My vet did NOT recommend karo because my kitten was dehydrated already. He gave me some prescription food that I had to force feed. How my vet suggested forcefeeding, was by using the handle of a spoon and putting some wet food on it, opening the cats mouth and rubbing the food along the roof of the mouth or the side of his mouth. I ended up using my finger instead of a spoon. The good thing about wet food, is it hydrates them as well. Water, I would use a dropper and put in the side of his mouth.

- does he have any nasal discharge/sneezing or coughing? If so, you can try keeping him in the bathroom when you shower. The steam can help him breath better, and sometimes when they don't want to eat its because they can't smell....

- water....do you have any ice cubes? You could see if he's at all interested in licking an icecube.

Aside from that, I don't know what else to suggest.... I hope he pulls through, and as I said, having just been through this, I do know how you are feeling. PM me if you want to vent.


EAT: Tube feeding should only be done when showed how to by a skilled vet, or assistant...

Sorry to hear about you 13 week old kitten. I can imagine how you feel. I will try as much of the suggestions as I can. As for Carolinelima, I never thought that you wanted anything but the best for my cat. But gee, I am doing my best to keep him comfortable. When I said he hasn't eaten anything, I mean on his own. The only food he gets is what I force feed him. If I were not doing that, I am not sure he would still be alive. I will continue doing this until he can go to the other vet Monday. Once again, don't think I do not appreciate all the help everyone here as well as other friends have given me. But I am totally stressed out about this and as I mentioned in an earlier post, even wrecked my car this week (not related to the cat), so its been a tough week.