Sick cat, won't eat.

Hi my kitty was lost for 4 days and showed up at the shelter with a bad respiratory infection. She has had fluids injected and antibiotics. Since returning I have tried everything to get her to eat. Smelly fish, heated food, different brands, dry food in pet milk. Syringe didn't work so I tried finger feeding and maybe got a couple of teaspoons in. She has had about 200ml of tuna broth on her own. She still has energy to stop me feeding her and jump on the bed.
Im just worried she could die or have liver damage and wondering if anyone has anyther suggestions. We are back to the vet tomorrow morning.

Hi Chellebelle and welcome to TCS!

First, keep up with the finger-feeding - anything you can get into her is better than nothing at all!

Second, at the Vet tomorrow, I would ask about an appetite stimulant - it may be that the antibiotic is curbing her appetite.

Third, you said the "Syringe didn't work..." - and, I'm going to presume you meant syringe-feeding. If you expected her to easily accept this mode of eating, perhaps that's why it didn't work. Generally it IS difficult - I'll give you a video link about it...but first, one HUGE caution: with a syringe, put ONLY tiny drops into the SIDE of her mouth and allow her to swallow...NEVER squirt the food (or anything) directly down her throat! OK, here's the video:



Also, at the Vet tomorrow, get a few cans of this food (syringe-able as is) http://www.hillspet.com/products/pd-feline-ad-caninefeline-critical-care-canned.html It's quite yummy and is intended for cats in weakened conditions.

Finally, for now, keep her INSIDE....preferably forever but, at the very least, for several months until she has bonded with you and her new house!

Thank you for your advice.  Yes I was attempting syringe feeding and it was very difficult to hold her and get the syringe in the side. That video is great thank you, feeling a bit more confident to give it another go.

She has been at this house for 6 months and disappeared I'm guessing due to illness. So she is happy here and I am just keeping her in one room isolated.  Again thank you so much.

Chellebelle said:

She has been at this house for 6 months and disappeared I'm guessing due to illness

Click to expand...

Ooooooooooops!

Sorry, sorry! Once more, the old adage about ass-umptions is proven true!

I'm so glad she is now home! Please keep us posted on her condition after you see the vet tomorrow! :nod:

Happy to say after persevering I was able to syringe feed. Vet today says she has improved which made my day. She gave her appetite stimulants and I bought some Hills ad food. Kitty has just finished a small plate on her own! We are on the mend :-)

Hooray. It is just such a relief when kitty starts eating on her own. Such good news.

Such very good news, Chellebelle..............and, as vball91 said, the relief we feel after these experiences is one of our greatest all-time highs!

Chellebelle, I know you came here becaue of the 'crisis' with her....but, I'm hoping that you'll stay on here........some pix would be nice, too!

Do you know about using L-lysine for these respiratory infections/outbreaks? There are a number of other very practical things that many of us do as well...all of which (plus the background info on the viruses that cause such) are summed up on this website's page (the author of which is also responsible for the 'oracle' site for all things on kidney disease): http://harpsie.com/cat_flu.htm

One of mine is currently 'in isolation' as well....I'm using L-lysine 500mg 2x day mixed into some very soupy Fancy Feast chicken pate warmed slightly - the room temp is up and the humidifier is on - someone's having a few days at the sauna here!

Hi there, I do hope to stick around as I have learned so much over the last few days to do with cat care.  I re-homed my kitty from a friend when she was around 1 and neglected to ask about vaccinations, so this has been an important lesson for me.  Also with another roomates cat entering the home this has meant cat care has become even more important (from where my cat got the 'cat flu' I guessing, but there are several cats in out neighbourhood). [color= rgb(24, 24, 24)]   My cat definitely had the flu symptons, which progressed into a URI while she was lost. [/color]I have not heard about[color= rgb(24, 24, 24)]  L-lysine, is this for future outbreaks?[/color]