Need a New Way to Force Feed

catmom69

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My kitty, Ayesha, most likely has FIP and is not eating enough on her own to keep her strength up. I have been compelled to force feed her. I watched several videos of how to do it, but I am convinced the cats they are using have to be drugged. They just sit there while Ayesha scrambles madly to escape. They placidly swallow everything. Ayesha madly twists her head in every direction and spits most of the food out all over the place. I am more than frustrated! I end up with more far more goo on the towel, my clothes, the floor and walls and Ayesha fur than inside her.
Hand feeding her is also a lost cause.
Please! Anyone! HELP! I need a better method to get the food into her.
 

denice

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I am so sorry your kitty isn't tolerating the syringe feeding.  I have a kitty that was the same way and he is normally a very laid back easy going kitty.  I don't know of any way short of a feeding tube that the vet can put in.  I know I have seen those videos too and it never went like that with Patches, I think some kitties tolerate it better than others.  I know someone who used to be here used a cat bag which is normally used by vets with very skittish kitties and with ferals.  You can also try wrapping kitty in a towel, that didn't help with Patches but all kitties are different.
 

Columbine

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:hugs: I'm so sorry Ayesha isn't doing well. I haven't syringe fed since I was a kid (end stage FIV cat). What I have done is give syringe meds (and lots of them at a time) to a very meds resistant cat. It's not easy, but there is a knack to the process.

Step one is easy - wait for the cat to be deeply asleep...preferably somewhere you can access easily.

Step two - quietly position yourself (with everything you need) behind the cat, in such a way as to be able to gently but firmly prevent the 'reverse' option. Absolutely ideal is kneeling with your feet together but your legs spread just wide enough to support the cat on either side. The next best option is kneeling on the floor alongside the cat with the cat being about waist height to you, using your upper body as a block. This option makes it harder to prevent the reverse, but can be easier to sneak into.

Either way, place one hand on the cat's chest to restrain and use your thumb to encourage the cat to 'open up'.

With your other hand, slowly syringe the food in, aiming at the back of the tongue but giving a slight pause after each sixth to quarter of the syringe to allow swallowing time. I found that to be one of the keys to a calm session vs a frantic struggling one. Keep a damp washcloth or some unscented baby wipes nearby for clean-up. Stay very calm, talk rhythmic and soothingly the whole time and don't forget to breathe yourself! It has to be no big deal. If you're anxious to get the food into her (as I'm sure you are) she will pick up on it and tense up herself.

It's best to fill the syringe before you start, or else use a small one and practice filling it one handed. I find a small syringe to be much more readily accepted (about 4ml capacity). It does mean more goes but it is easier to manage.

I hope that's all clear enough. I've no idea if I'm telling you things you already know. I apologise if that's the case. Good luck with Ayesha. My heart goes out to you both. :vibes:
 

puddytats13

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I am a vet tech and have had to force feed numerous kitties over the years. I am not a fan of scruffing kitties, but I have found that to be effective. Use a 60cc syringe. Water down some Hills A/D just enough to be able to draw it up in syringe. Have several towels available...one for you and one to keep kitty's face clean. I go in through the side of the mouth. I give about 2-3cc's at a time. Follow with some water when you are finished. It's not easy, but it can be done! Good luck!
 

lcat4

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I will say that regardless of how sick your cat is, they can show amazing force and obstinance when being force fed.  I kept trying with a 5 ml syringe on the bathroom counter.  After a few disastrous attempts, we found a happy medium.  It required a lot more effort on my part, but the food managed to get in the mouth, without spewing everywhere.  First, I gave up on the bathroom.  That was not his normal haunting ground, so he was never happy there.  Next, I used SMALL syringes, 1 ml.  Yes, 1 ml.  That meant much more times to refill the syringe, but he tolerated the small syringe much better.  This size slipped in his mouth before he knew it was there. 

I mixed up my food in a custard cup.  Usually it was an ounce of Hills A/D, sometimes with a little baby food for extra protein, and mixed with a bit of KMR formula to dilute food (rather than plain water).  I had 5 syringes and I would draw the food in.  Then armed with towels, I would find the cat where ever he was, slip the tiny syringe in the side of his mouth and plunge.  He'd move a bit, I'd follow, and plunge the next one...  I'd give him a few minutes while I refilled the 5 syringes and we'd start over.  The overall feeding process took longer and there was still food droplets (but nothing like before), so not perfect.  But everyone was happier and my cat had swallowed food.  Obviously this process had to be repeated a few times throughout the day to get enough calories in him. 

Sorry you are having to go through this.  Best wishes. 
 
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