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anorexic cat

post #1 of 16
1/22/11 at 7:02am
Thread Starter 
I need help. I have a male cat that has under gone treatment for struvite crystals/ bladder problems. He was hospitalised and cathed on two occasions three days apart. He is now on medication to prevent spasms in his bladder.
But now after all that he is determined to starve himself to death.
We should be feeding him on Hills CD food but he refuses to eat it. We have tried fish, chicken,tuna and even a bit of liver but he refuses to eat every thing we put in his dish.
After spending almost nine hundred pounds on vet bills I don't want to loose him now through starvation. He used to be a happy tubby cat but now he looks quite sad and we can feel his spine all the way down his back. I'm even getting emotional writing this call for help.
Has any one got any suggestions.
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post #2 of 16
1/22/11 at 8:37am
You may have to check with the vet about force feeding him. Cats can actually get out of the habit of eating, and the results can be disastrous.

There are others here who can tell you more.
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post #3 of 16
1/22/11 at 9:46am
I know you have spent a ton of money but you need to talk to the vet about inserting a feeding tube into him. The vet can show you the aftercare needed to keep the tube intact and how to feed. Usually, once they have a feeding tube in for more than three days their liver kicks in and they will start eating again. Kitty is feeling full because the nature of hepatic lipidosis is that the body is consuming itself- so kitty won't eat. Over-riding that with a feeding tube helps the body balance itself.


good luck
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post #4 of 16
1/22/11 at 10:29am
You will need to force feed using a syringe, or have a feding tube installed until he starts eating again. Less drastically, you can try sprinkling some tuna juice from human-grade canned tuna on some food and see if the stinkiness gets him to eat. Whatever you can do to get food in his system really, liver damage is not something you want to deal with especially after all those vet bills. Good luck, hopefully your guy just needs a little jump start and the taste of food will rekindle his appetite.
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post #5 of 16
1/22/11 at 10:43am
I'm so sorry to hear your cat is not eating. I haven't been in a similar situation so I don't have any advice but maybe this site can help you:
http://www.assistfeed.com/index.html
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post #6 of 16
1/22/11 at 10:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mr edd View Post
I need help... But now after all that he is determined to starve himself to death...
I would need some help, too, if I were faced with this.

My recommendation (which is exactly what I would do myself) is that you join up online with a group of people who are dealing with the same thing - the group is here http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/F...isted-Feeding/ These people can help you understand what's going on (no can ever was determined to starve itself) and help you get a handle on this quickly - and that's the key here, speed. Problem is, you're behind the ball and late already - you need to catch up quickly if your kitty is going to survive this.

After you join up, just copy your post from here into your first message to that group. Do it now!
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post #7 of 16
1/22/11 at 11:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by White Shadow View Post
I would need some help, too, if I were faced with this.

My recommendation (which is exactly what I would do myself) is that you join up online with a group of people who are dealing with the same thing - the group is here http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/F...isted-Feeding/ These people can help you understand what's going on (no can ever was determined to starve itself) and help you get a handle on this quickly - and that's the key here, speed. Problem is, you're behind the ball and late already - you need to catch up quickly if your kitty is going to survive this.

After you join up, just copy your post from here into your first message to that group. Do it now!
Do you work for Yahoo? This is a demanding post (i.e. "Do it now!"), and it's your second post recommending someone join a yahoo group.
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post #8 of 16
1/22/11 at 11:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by rad65 View Post
Do you work for Yahoo? This is a demanding post (i.e. "Do it now!"), and it's your second post recommending someone join a yahoo group.
IMHO this is not a demanding post, and it is sound advice... Some yahoo groups are very good, as the people in that group all have experience with the issue in hand and they all help each other. When you post one question, you get a lot of response from a lot of different people, who have been through the same - that is very valuable. I think she said to join it now because this kitty has absolutely no time to lose before starting being force-fed, and that is what that yahoo group is; an assisted feeding/force feeding group. Just my 2-cents...
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post #9 of 16
1/22/11 at 12:02pm
You said you already spent a lot of money, but it's very serious when your cat refuses to eat. You should start force feeding him. You can buy a syringe to do it. Or talk to the vet about getting a feeding tube put in him.
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post #10 of 16
1/22/11 at 10:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rad65 View Post
Do you work for Yahoo? This is a demanding post (i.e. "Do it now!"), and it's your second post recommending someone join a yahoo group.
Well, first, no, I don't work for Yahoo!!!

By way of explanation, I take this to be a very serious situation. It's not that the kitty has just started to refuse food - this cat has gone from being overweight to skin and bones:
Quote:
He used to be a happy tubby cat but now...we can feel his spine all the way down his back
Overweight cats who lose substantial weight in a short period of time are at severe risk of developing hepatic lipidosis which is life-threatening - and demands immediate and agressive intervention.

It also appears that the attending Veterinarian hasn't even recognized this, let alone counselled mr edd to ensure the cat's nutrition during treatment for the crystals - all of which surprises me.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Carolina View Post
I think she said to join it now because this kitty has absolutely no time to lose before starting being force-fed, and that is what that yahoo group is; an assisted feeding/force feeding group...
Spot on! Thanks, Carolina.
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post #11 of 16
1/23/11 at 2:11pm
Mr. Edd, previously overweight kitties that lose weight in a short period of time and then stop eating are at VERY SERIOUS RISK and need to be force fed. Two days without food and it can be a difficult situation to turn around. The seriousness of this situation cannot be emphasized enough, and as hissy points out, at this point, he likely needs a feeding tube inserted. Get him to a vet ASAP on Monday. I'd say today - but I know it's night there now. However, if there is an emergency vet open, or a local vet that will respond to emergency calls, I'd go that route NOW.

Vibes for your baby.
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post #12 of 16
1/28/11 at 12:24pm
Thread Starter 
I would like to thank all of you guys on 'thecatsite' for the advise that you have provided. We had to get back to the vets once again as Stella took a turn for the worse. It was while at the vets that we found out that a vet which we knew of old was working later that day. She was the very vet that treated Stella for struvite crystals a few years back. so we asked to see her. Liz was her name. Being a more experienced vet than the rest we sort her advise and she gave the same advise as you guys did. We straight away started to force feed Stella although the vet said it might be too late. After two days Stella looked worse still. We were on the verge of giving up. But because your advice said 'two to three days' we carried on. At the end of three days the wife managed to get a uring sample and straight away ran it to the vets for them to check. Then we waited.
Later that day we got a phone call from Liz. "I don't know what you have done" she said " because Stella's sample appears clear".
Yes Stella's liver has been turned thanks to the third day. The latest news is Stella is now eating on his own. He doesn't eat as much as he used to but he eats often. He looks better and is more lively than of late. The Liz said he will be poorly for a while but he is on the mend.
I don't know if there are any vets on this forum but your advise was right on the button. THANK YOU ALL.
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post #13 of 16
1/28/11 at 12:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mr edd View Post
I would like to thank all of you guys on 'thecatsite' for the advise that you have provided. We had to get back to the vets once again as Stella took a turn for the worse. It was while at the vets that we found out that a vet which we knew of old was working later that day. She was the very vet that treated Stella for struvite crystals a few years back. so we asked to see her. Liz was her name. Being a more experienced vet than the rest we sort her advise and she gave the same advise as you guys did. We straight away started to force feed Stella although the vet said it might be too late. After two days Stella looked worse still. We were on the verge of giving up. But because your advice said 'two to three days' we carried on. At the end of three days the wife managed to get a uring sample and straight away ran it to the vets for them to check. Then we waited.
Later that day we got a phone call from Liz. "I don't know what you have done" she said " because Stella's sample appears clear".
Yes Stella's liver has been turned thanks to the third day. The latest news is Stella is now eating on his own. He doesn't eat as much as he used to but he eats often. He looks better and is more lively than of late. The Liz said he will be poorly for a while but he is on the mend.
I don't know if there are any vets on this forum but your advise was right on the button. THANK YOU ALL.
I am so glad to hear that, continued vibes that Stellas health improves x
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post #14 of 16
1/29/11 at 2:19am
Glad your cat is eating. I had the same problem with Beeba. He would not eat the canned c/d. Vet switched him to he dry, and he loves it.
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post #15 of 16
1/29/11 at 7:09am
That is such great news about Stella! I'd been wondering, and I really thank you for the update. He's one very lucky kitty, and I'm so glad he's doing so well after that scare! SO GLAD you caught it in time!

Vibes all continues to go well!
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post #16 of 16
1/29/11 at 12:20pm
That's just great!!!

Thanks for the update.



Robin
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