FIV+ Cat with Pancreatitis Not Eating

Hi there - My roughly 10-year old FIV+ cat has pancreatitis and bile backing up in the gallbladder.  She stopped eating on her own and lost about a pound (she's very small to begin - looks like a 7-month old - and only weighed 5.8 lbs normally) in the past month.  My vet put in a feeding tube about 2.5 weeks ago, which has helped, but she still will not eat food on her own. I've tried every kind of cat food you can find, and baby food, and chicken thigh with broth, and food with Fortiflora or bonito flakes.  She'll smell the food and seem like she's going to eat, but then stop. I am wondering if maybe the tube in her esophagus is discouraging her from wanting to eat on her own.  Does anyone have any experience with this, or thoughts/advice?  Thank you.

My kitty had a feeding tube because of fatty liver.  He started eating on his own with the feeding tube in.  He is getting everything he needs through the feeding tube so I wouldn't be too concerned about enticing him to eat.  The behavior of smelling the food, acting interested, then walking away is a common behavior in kitties with nausea.

How long was your cat's feeding tube in before he started eating on his own again?  Do you think it's a mistake to take it out before she starts eating on her own?

It was probably 2 weeks before he started nibbling at food and 3 weeks before he was eating well again.  He actually had a fast recovery.  I have seen many kitties here that took much longer to start eating again.

You don't want to have it taken out until he is eating well again.  Patches ate well for at least a week before the vet took out the feeding tube.  Your kitty will still need to eat and without the feeding tube that would mean syringe feeding.  The feeding tube is much easier and less stressful for both your kitty and you.

She finally started eating and had her tube removed, and then the next morning she threw a saddle thrombus and both her back legs are currently paralyzed.  She won't eat or drink again and the vet says it's a waiting game now. I cannot decide if I should wait it out or if it's time to put her down.  She has been through so much lately.  Any advice would be appreciated.

I just googled saddle thrombus and it sounds horribly painful...did she get pain meds?

if you haven't researched this it's probably time to do so

She passed a little more than an hour ago, at home and in my arms, for which I am thankful.  Thank you for taking the time to read and reply.

I am so sorry for your loss.  When you feel up to it you can write a tribute in the Crossing the Bridge Forum

so sorry...glad it wasn't drawn out