HELP!! 2 Weeks After Dental Surgery Still Not Eating or Drinking On Her Own

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tipperlove

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My cat (tipper) is 13 or 14 years old, not sure since she was a rescue.  She had a tooth infection and after giving her antibiotics for 10 days they did dental surgery to remove the problem tooth.  She was not eating before having the tooth removed, so I started force feeding her and she has only been given wet food.  She has lost a 1 1/2 lbs within a month and I am feeding her every 3 hours and leaving food out for her along with treats.  When we went to the vet the first time they found that she was dehydrated and gave her an injection of fluids under her skin.  Then she had her dental surgery, which went well, but I have had to keep force feeding her and forcing water in her to keep her going.  I went back to the vet a couple days ago and again dehydrated and they gave her more fluids, anti-inflammatory and sent home an appetite stimulant with me.  The first day was great she ate but still not drinking, so every couple of hours I gave her water mixed with a little gravy from her food.  Today she threw up the appetite stimulant and she is still not eating or drinking on her own.  I don't know what else to do!!  I am unemployed and went through all of my savings to get her well and now I don't have the money for more tests.  The doctor is baffled by her because the last cbc blood draw was good, no signs of infection and her kidneys looked good.  Can anyone please give me advice to get her eating and drinking on her own?!  I NEED HELP!!! 
 

gooned

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Needless to say, you have to get her to eat. Here is a link to a site that discusses ways to get them to eat

http://www.felinecrf.org/persuading_cat_to_eat.htm

Try baby food, tuna water, or Fancy Feast - all discussed in the link. Make sure to read what type of baby food if you go this route.

Loss of appetite can have a number of different causes. I assume the initial round was from pain in her mouth. Was she pawing at her mouth? Is she doing so now? Some antibiotics and pain killers can cause a lack of appetite. Do you know the names of the medicines that were used?

Are you using a favorite wet food of hers or did you switch? At this point, anything she will eat is all that matters. 
 
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tipperlove

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Thank you for your reply!  I have have tried the meat flavored baby food, A/D food from the vet, Science Diet wet food, boiled chicken, tuna and even just moistened her dry food which is HALO.  She is not pawing at her mouth and the vet even pushed a little to see if that was tender, she let him do it.  Clavamox drop 15 ml was the antibiotic that she was on along with pain meds called Turbutrol 1 mg.  I took her off of the pain meds one week after the surgery, to see if that was the problem and still nothing.  Before she got sick she only ate HALO hard food, but since I have tried different varities and flavors. 
 

gooned

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Is she off the Clavimox now? That can cause loss of appetite. No other meds at this point?

You have to force some food down her - especially food with water. Some people here have managed to get A/D into a syringe and force feed. Maybe they can chime in as I have not done it yet. Often times, you have to get a little taste of food in their mouths to get them started. The key is to feed a little and feed often. Please read that link I provided earlier. There is a section on syringe feeding.
 
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tipperlove

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She is off the Clavamox, has been for a week. Tonight I put the appetite stimulant, that the vet presribed, into her food.  I have been force feeding her with a syringe the A/D food and have been for about 3 weeks, 40-50 cc 3 times a day and forcing water every couple of hours.  I just feel lost right now and not sure what else to do at this point.  I wish that she could just tell me what hurts!  I appreciate you taking the time to help and I am going to try the scrambled eggs tomorrow, since I fed her already. 
 

just mike

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Other than the appetite stimulant, what did the vet tell you? Did the vet indicate any possible side effects from anesthesia etc.? The link posted from another poster is a good one. The meat baby food is excellent (with no salt in it). I doubt it but it's possible her mouth is still sore ? I dunno but getting food and fluids into her as we all know is paramount. Keep us posted on the progress here. I'll be following this thread and sending you vibes :vibes: :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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gooned

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What is her behavior like? Does she show any interest in food, water, curiosity, etc? How much food is 40-50 cc of a/d? She should be eating about a can every day. Does anybody know if the appetite stimulant could be causing this? Can you see if her gums, ears, or eyes are somewhat yellow? 

Most Vets won't charge for follow-up visits. If it were my cat, I would be all over the Vet for some explanations and theories. This has gone on too long from dental surgery. 
 
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tipperlove

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Thanks to you all but unfortunately Tipper took a turn for the worse today and I had to let her spirit go.  She started throwing up and staring off into space, she was so so sick.  I just couldn't let her suffer any more.  It just hurts so much, she was like my child and that is one of the most difficult decision to make.  She came into my life July 1, 2001 and life with her was amazing, she was always by my side and had to sleep in front of me and if turned over she would get up and move in front of me again.  She took a big piece of my heart but I had to do the right thing and let her be at peace, no more pain.  The love that she brought to me is beyond any words that can be expressed.  I LOVE YOU TIPPER!!!
 

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I'm sorry to hear about Tipper. RIP baby girl. Take care of yourself, tipperlove.
 

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 Condolences on your sad loss. In the end your love for her was greater than the pain of losing her. She knew this, all during those long days & weeks when you so valiantly tried to save her. Letting her go peacefully was kindness itself & incredibly unselfish. May you be blessed many times over for your courage to do what was best for her, even though it meant grief for you.
 

blueyedgirl5946

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I am very sorry you lost Tipper. I understand feeling that you had to let her go. She was so loved and I am sure she knew. I am going to close this thread now. When you feel like it, please post a tribute to Tipper in our Crossing the Bridge Forum. That will give others chance to express their sympathies and encouragement to you.
 
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