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- Sep 23, 2013
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Hello there!
I have a kitty that has been on syringe feedings for about two months now. He had originally gotten so skinny that he was near death. The doctor did blood tests and could only determine that his liver values were way up. He also was exhibiting signs of neurological damage, as he was walking with a head tilt and was having problems keeping his balance, along with partial paralysis on that one side of his face. The doctor suspected possible Toxoplasmosis (I have no idea how he could have been exposed as all my kitties are indoor only). Anyways, he was started immediately on a very strong course of clindamycin as well as appetite stimulants and vitamin B injections. My mom is a vet tech so she has been able to help with the daily home care. After being on the antibiotics for about 48hrs, he started to improve drastically and has been improving every day. I would say that he's gained at least 2lb and is starting to develop muscle tone back in his hindquarters. He still has a bit of a head tilt, and my mom said that may never go away. He also seems a little more "simple" than before...if that's a word? He's still my baby and is back to acting like he would in the past...like quite the troublemaker in opening drawers, doors, and running around like a nut.
So, he's on the road to recovery - great. But now how the heck do I get him back on solid food? The doc put him on meat baby food (he only likes Gerber) via syringe because that's the only thing I could get him to take and she said that whatever he would eat is what we'll go with. Now that he's stronger, he still only wants that (but he won't eat it off a plate). I've tried Science Diet AD since we have ready access to it with my mom working at the office - he doesn't like it. My elderly cat LOVES the stuff and that's what I always used to add weight. My "sickie" wants nothing to do with it. I think I've tried every type of canned food out there. He seems really interested in people food and goes nuts every time we eat dinner (something he never did in the past). I've tried cooking him kitty friendly food and pretending that it was my dinner - no go. My normal dry food is 4-health all-life stages (no by-products and an all around great food for the price - I love Tractor Supply!) - no interest. I tried buying the "bad for kitties" food that they oh-so-love from the grocery store - he goes bonkers when he hears the bag but no go as soon as it hits the bowl. Does anybody have any suggestions on getting him off the syringe? He won't even eat the meat baby food off a plate! I forgot to mention that he gets daily large doses of kitty multi-vitamins since he's not getting what he needs from the baby food.
He's a 5 year old Seal Point Himalayan.
Thank you!
I have a kitty that has been on syringe feedings for about two months now. He had originally gotten so skinny that he was near death. The doctor did blood tests and could only determine that his liver values were way up. He also was exhibiting signs of neurological damage, as he was walking with a head tilt and was having problems keeping his balance, along with partial paralysis on that one side of his face. The doctor suspected possible Toxoplasmosis (I have no idea how he could have been exposed as all my kitties are indoor only). Anyways, he was started immediately on a very strong course of clindamycin as well as appetite stimulants and vitamin B injections. My mom is a vet tech so she has been able to help with the daily home care. After being on the antibiotics for about 48hrs, he started to improve drastically and has been improving every day. I would say that he's gained at least 2lb and is starting to develop muscle tone back in his hindquarters. He still has a bit of a head tilt, and my mom said that may never go away. He also seems a little more "simple" than before...if that's a word? He's still my baby and is back to acting like he would in the past...like quite the troublemaker in opening drawers, doors, and running around like a nut.
So, he's on the road to recovery - great. But now how the heck do I get him back on solid food? The doc put him on meat baby food (he only likes Gerber) via syringe because that's the only thing I could get him to take and she said that whatever he would eat is what we'll go with. Now that he's stronger, he still only wants that (but he won't eat it off a plate). I've tried Science Diet AD since we have ready access to it with my mom working at the office - he doesn't like it. My elderly cat LOVES the stuff and that's what I always used to add weight. My "sickie" wants nothing to do with it. I think I've tried every type of canned food out there. He seems really interested in people food and goes nuts every time we eat dinner (something he never did in the past). I've tried cooking him kitty friendly food and pretending that it was my dinner - no go. My normal dry food is 4-health all-life stages (no by-products and an all around great food for the price - I love Tractor Supply!) - no interest. I tried buying the "bad for kitties" food that they oh-so-love from the grocery store - he goes bonkers when he hears the bag but no go as soon as it hits the bowl. Does anybody have any suggestions on getting him off the syringe? He won't even eat the meat baby food off a plate! I forgot to mention that he gets daily large doses of kitty multi-vitamins since he's not getting what he needs from the baby food.
He's a 5 year old Seal Point Himalayan.
Thank you!
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