Seeking suggestions for a cat who won't eat

My 2 year old male cat became ill most likely due to stress when I adopted a third cat last Saturday (2/14). Initially I thought it was behavioral as he didn't eat dinner Monday night and peed outside of his litter box. But then I took him into the ER Tuesday night and verified that he is actually sick. After much blood work and urine analysis, we still don't know what the issue is but it is suspected to be IBS with possible pancreatitis (although the blood test for pancreatitis came back normal, it could still be an issue and we'll do an ultrasound when Petey is better to determine). He had a similar illness at this exact same time last year almost to the day (2/3/14).

Petey has eaten a little bit here and there in the past 4 days, mostly at night but definitely not enough. I've brought him in for fluids twice and he is on 4 meds:

1.) pain med

2.) anti-nausea

3.) anti-diarrhea

4.) appetite stimulant

He's had a little bit of canned food and a few freeze-dried chicken treats and a tiny bit of tuna juice. Unfortunately, some things he's eaten earlier in the week he won't eat now (possibly because he got sick afterward). He has not thrown up or had diarrhea since Wednesday night (almost 48 hours) but still he will not eat. 

Any suggestions to help get Petey back on track would be very much appreciated. I have a call in to the vet to see if milk or lactaid is a possibility, waiting to hear back. These are the things I've tried:

tuna fish

tuna juice (room temp and warmed)

rotisserie chicken

baby food

yogurt

mashed potato

freeze dried chicken treats of different brands

canned food (room temp and warmed)

It's extremely important/critical that he eats. He MUST get at least 50% of his normal caloric intake in order not to go into liver failure.

Hepatic lipidosis happens easily with IBS/IBD cats due to not eating.

So if you must force feed by syringing him blended food/baby food and water or pediolyte, then so be it.

catwoman707 said:

 
It's extremely important/critical that he eats. He MUST get at least 50% of his normal caloric intake in order not to go into liver failure.

Hepatic lipidosis happens easily with IBS/IBD cats due to not eating.

So if you must force feed by syringing him blended food/baby food and water or pediolyte, then so be it.

Click to expand...

No disrespect but I have had him in the ER and at an internal medicine specialist who performed blood work and urine analysis and she said he is okay through the weekend, we'll revisit Monday.

I don't want anyone working me up about his lack of eating as the Dr. assured me yesterday  not to worry about that at least until next week. Which is why I am working on trying to get him to eat.

Also I questioned her about Hepatic lipidosis and she said it is not yet a concern based on his blood work yesterday. I have done nothing but research and worry this week.

I certainly had no intent on causing anymore worry than surely you already have, just see it quite a bit here and once it happens is so much harder to deal with than syringing him now.

Also not everyone is fully aware of HP and how it happens either, just wanted to be sure you do.

Basically anything he is willing to eat for some cals works too, even treats if he will eat them.

Also wanted to add that the ultrasound will be very helpful, my girl Krissy has normal bloodwork, everything was fine except elevated wbc, but with the ultrasound clearly showed she has inflammed pancreas/intestines.

(pancreatitis and IBD)

Slippery Elm Bark is often recommended for cats with persistent vomiting/IBS. You make it into a tea solution and I put a teaspoon on Ritz' food . My holistic vet recommended it, and so far it seems to be helping Ritz. She goes 11+ hours without eating because of my work schedule. Eats fast, throws up, wants to eat right away. She didn't throw up these past three days.

You've tried foods I would have suggested. How about boiled chicken and rice? Boil chicken (dark meat has more calories than white). Pick off meat, no no bones. Save liquid. Cook rice in that liquid. Feed to cat. Bland food, a number of cats can tolerate it. (Also used to figure out if there is a food allergy involved.) Petey can't stay on this diet forever, but I agree with the other posters: never mind what he eats, just so he eats.

Also regarding medication: I can't pill Ritz. So when ever she has to go on medication, I have it compounded into a flavored liquid (chicken/tuna; bubblegum (!) ). If the medication is also prescribed for humans, any pharmacy should be able to do this. If the medication is prescribed for animals only, sometimes the pharmacist can still flavor the medication, sometimes you have to bring the medication with you, sometimes the pharmacist will need to talk with the vet. Depends on pharmacist and state laws.

Good luck.