*Sigh...

tdonline

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Tell me again why cats all of sudden decide they don't want to eat canned food anymore? This happens with one of my two cats every 3 or 4 months and with 2 of them, this problem seems to pop up more often I like (okay, it drives me nuts!!).

And I'm pretty sure it's not a health issue because their appetites seem just fine when there's kibble, yoghurt and other yummy treats.
 

otto

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What canned food do you feed? It may just be "bad batches". Many pet food manufacturers shop around for the cheapest ingredients, so there is no consistency to the quality/smell of the food. The ingredients may be the same thing every time, but from different sources, and of different quality.

It can be very frustrating, I know.
 

addiebee

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Originally Posted by otto

What canned food do you feed? It may just be "bad batches". Many pet food manufacturers shop around for the cheapest ingredients, so there is no consistency to the quality/smell of the food. The ingredients may be the same thing every time, but from different sources, and of different quality.

It can be very frustrating, I know.
I noticed that about my boys, too. They don't stop eating canned, but something may be "yummy" one can.. and meh... the next. I figure they smell subtle differences that I can't. I did get a can of Wellness chicken with a really off texture. The boys wouldn't eat it at all.

I will say that freeze-dried fish crumbled on top goes a lloooooonnnngggg way to get them to eat something or finish it.
 

kailie

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I think cats can sometimes get bored of their food and just want something new. Maybe switch up the flavor or brand and see if that helps any. That's what I do when I find my kitties starting to lose interest.
 

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I make up some no sodium chicken broth and drizzle their food now and then to keep them interested.

It is so frustrating..
 

motoko9

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Originally Posted by Kailie

I think cats can sometimes get bored of their food and just want something new. Maybe switch up the flavor or brand and see if that helps any. That's what I do when I find my kitties starting to lose interest.
That's how it is in my house. I try to rotate a few different flavors and brands, because my cats seem to like variety when it comes to canned food.
 
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tdonline

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Could be any or all the things above, yes. Guess I'm just gonna have to try some new combination.

I do have to amend my initial post. I had to leave early this morning so I fed kibble instead of wet. I noticed that Josie, my current finicky cat, didn't finish her portion of kibble. Usually she plows through it. So I wonder if it's something to do with her digestive system or appetite.

I also posted a thread about another issue and now wonder if the two issues are related?

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=211478

Josie did throw up about 3 weeks ago. I wonder if a hairball is bothering her? That could explain the weird substance I found on the floor last night and her suppressed appetite?
 
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tdonline

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Josie was just in the bathroom making the most horrific noise and heaving. All that came up was some foamy liquid. I haven't dealt with a hairball before. Is this a hairball situation? Or another health problem I should deal with immediately? I found a bit of foamy liquid in the living room also. She was probably heaving while I was at work.
 

otto

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How old is Josie? Sometimes a hair ball can cause very serious problems if the cat cannot pass it or bring it up. I have had some experience that was a few times. I tease Tolly about his $400 hair ball, and Mazy about her $250 hair ball.

However there are many other things, also serious, that can cause that type of vomiting.

I recommend a trip to the vet for Josie.
 
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tdonline

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Josie is about 16 months old. I'll call the vet tomorrow morning. I'll see if she eats her supper tonight.
 

addiebee

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I agree. Sounds like hairball --- but go to the vet to be safe b/c she may have ingested something or she may be constipated.
 
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tdonline

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Josie wouldn't eat her wet food again. She did eat some kibble, but less than 30 minutes later, she was heaving again. There was a bit of red in the throw-up. Definitely something is blocking her up. Poor thing. I feel so bad for her, it's hard to go to bed but it's best to turn in and wake up early and call the vet.
 

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Don't want to alarm you, but it does sound like a blockage. They can be very serious, so make sure you stress to your vet that it is an emergency.
 
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tdonline

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Josie threw up 2 more times after I hit the bed. Just made an 11am appointment with the vet, just wondering what the vet will figure out and if it's some kind of blockage, what are the steps to unblock? Would it be medicinal? Or manual manipulation?
 

otto

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If your vet suspects a blockage x rays are the next step to see where the problem is. From there the vet may recommend an injection to bring a bowel movement on, an enema, or surgery, depending on what is found.

Your vet will want to know when her last bowel movement was, and if she is peeing normally. In fact if you can get her in there with a full bladder, they will be able to get a sample of urine right from the bladder.

All paws crossed for Josie, please keep us updated.
 
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tdonline

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Surprisingly...the vet diagnosed a stomach bug rather than blockage. Josie's tummy is soft and empty and he didn't suspect constipation or foreign object. And he doubt it was a hairball since it's been going on for more than a couple of days. I came home with centrine for nausea and antibiotics. She was also given the same via injections in the office. No foods until I talk the vet tomorrow morning. Hmmm, definitely surprised with the diagnosis but hopefully it's the right one and Jojo will be on the road to recovery. Btw, she's not dehyrated nor has a fever. No sneezing nor coughing. Her left eye is very watery though.
 
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tdonline

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Further development...

I went out for dinner and when I came back, there was a mini hairball on the carpet. There's no way for me to know if it's Josie's or her sisters, but it sure would be some coincidence.

Maybe it was a hairball after all? On the other hand it's hard to believe that a mini hairball would cause such problems.

I'm tempted to give Josie a bit of food, poor thing hasn't had a proper meal in nearly 2 days. But the vet emphasized not feeding her until we talk...
 

otto

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Hairballs can cause very serious problems. Often if a hairball is lodged between the stomach and passing into the intestines a lot of gas will build up causing vomiting and pain for kitty.

Tolly has had two very serious hairballs. The first time, about four years ago I came home and he was so sick and in so much pain he screamed when I tried to pick him up. Of course I rushed him to the on call vet. (it was after hours) x ray showed an excess amount of gas and a "mass" just entering the intestines.

Treatment was hairball remedy four times a day, and assist/syringe feeding to prevent dehydration. He was no better by Monday, so I brought him to my own vet. a new x ray showed the mass had moved slightly further down, but he still wasn't close to passing it, and there was still quite a lot of gas, though less than before.

He was given fluids and I continued with the large doses of hairball remedy, and sryinge feeding. In addition I was massaging his tummy, and encouraging him to stretch, to help shift the gas.

Finally Tuesday night in the middle of the night he pooped. I was down there in a flash, pulling the poop apart to see what was in it. Just a ton of fur.

Mazy had a similar episode when she was about two. Hers presented as projectile vomiting, again, from excess gas. Again, she was given fluids, and large doses of hairball remedy was the answer.

Tolly had a second episode last year, but this time I knew what was wrong and what to do. By this time I had developed the skill of administering sub q fluids at home, and had the supplies, so was able to keep him hydrated, while waiting for the thing to pass.

I groom Tolly daily with a furminator, but the older he gets the more trouble he has with hair balls. I now have to dose him regularly, every three days.

Mazy does not allow any grooming at all, so she also gets dosed regularly with hairball remedy.

Anyway, I'm not saying this is what's wrong with Josie, but the small hair ball may only be a portion of what is in there.

I wonder why the vet didn't want to do an x ray?

I am very tired and may be rambling, sorry.
 
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tdonline

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Thanks Otto. Much appreciated, I'm sorry I can't write and thank you enough as I'm ready to turn in. I'll talk to the vet tomorrow. On the one hand, I don't want to give Josie meds for a stomach bug if it's a hairball issue. But the vet did say her stomach felt fine and didn't think this was about hairballs...argh, wish cats would talk and tell us what's bothering them!

The vet office I go to is an old-fashioned one, as far as I know it doesn't have an xray machine. He mentioned if it's not a stomach bug issue, he would send us elsewhere to get xrayed.
 

otto

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Just checking in to see how Josie is doing this morning.
 
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