New kitten in the house, now my cat won't eat.

Bear with me, this is kind of a long story. Also I am new, so sorry if I put this in the wrong forum. 

Two, three weeks ago, my boyfriend brought home a stray kitten. We never really got a chance to separate him from my cat, so you can imagine how that went. Kitten had a roundworm infection, so we had to de-worm my cat, who is a 12-year-old half bengal. The kitten also had diarrhea, and was treated with metronidazole. 

At first my cat and the kitten seemed to learn to get along fairly well, then I noticed my cat had runny stools and I assumed he got whatever was causing diarrhea in the kitten, and got more metronidazole from the vet. Giving him the liquid medicine was too much of a fight, so we switched him to tablets and hid them in pill pockets. He took the first two or three well enough and then stopped. I tried a few other ways to get the tablets into him, and no luck. Got a pill masking paste, he didn't want that at all. Now he's not really eating at all. 

Yesterday he had two bites of his wet food and that was it. He's turning down his favorite, non-pill pocket treats. (Feline greenies, square shaped crunchy ones) I talked to the vet and he said he thinks my cat is afraid I put pills in his food and to stop giving him the medicine. So I did, even though by this point he'd been without the meds for a few days since I gave up trying to give them to him. I have never changed his feeding routine through the whole thing. He's now turning down his favorite treats that he's eaten everyday for years. 

He's no longer getting along with the kitten, and doesn't want anything to do with him. 

He acts like he wants to eat. When I was putting down dry food and calling him to his dish he came right up, but as soon as the kitten was around, he growled and took off. Desperate, I opened a can of tuna, and he was interested in that, but when I gave him a little he wouldn't eat it, even though the kitten wasn't around. I've taken his food dish to him and away from the kitten, and he still won't eat. He smells the food and acts like he would like to eat, but doesn't. 

The vet has said if he's not eating by Wednesday (tomorrow) he'll have to come in, and I'm just going on the assumption that he will be going to the vet tomorrow. He's still having runny stools but is using the box at his regular rate, no more or no less than usual. He does seem to be straining more, or at least feeling like he's trying to have a bowel movement but nothing much comes out. 

Is there anyway I can get him to eat and back in his normal eating habits? I can only hope he's eating when I don't notice it. He's sleeping more than usual but still is interested in things like looking out the window. I just heard him try to chirp at something outside earlier. I know he's not feeling well, but I don't know what I can do to help him. 
 

I suppose it's worth mentioning that I've been trying to move out and leave my boyfriend for a few months, I just haven't found a place to live yet. If the problem is the kitten and he doesn't want to be around the kitten I've been trying to resolve that. Trying to find an apartment in this area has been a nightmare. 

Can you try shutting the kitten in another room while you feed your cat?  How about trying a completely different canned food that he doesn't associate with the medicine?  Or a brand new treat?  Maybe if you can find a new treat that he likes, then you can crush up some of them and sprinkle them on his old food?

This is difficult because not sure if the issue is the medicine OR the kitten.  Depending on how long your stay there, proper integration procedures need to be done, from the sounds of it, since he is now growling at the little one.   Here's a helpful guide:  http://www.thecatsite.com/a/how-to-successfully-introduce-cats-the-ultimate-guide

In the meantime, it is imperative that he eats, otherwise you may have bigger problems on your hands.  Does he lick his lips when he smells his food.  If he does, that a sign of nausea.  Which would explain why he seems hungry yet doesn't eat.  Or, since he' s straining in the litterbox, it could be he's constipated.  When cats get that way, the also stop eating.  A Vet visit may be necessary, depending on how bad he is.  THAT might explain why he is grumpy with the wee one. 

He's not even coming to his dish now. He's just moving from sleeping place to sleeping place. Sometimes they're his usual sleeping spots, sometimes its his hidey hole he goes to when there's thunderstorms. I've taken his food to him, and even without the kitten he's still not eating. He sniffs the food and licks his mouth, so I guess it's nausea. I'm assuming that his feeling sick is why he's not happy with the kitten, he wants space and kitten has a hard time taking the hint. Earlier this afternoon when I went up to check on him I found them both sleeping in the sun together. 

He had water later this morning, but threw it up. 

First the vet said he could go in tomorrow, now it's not till Thursday morning. I called other offices but can't get him in anywhere else sooner. He's such a fighter we can't even hold him down with two people, so if we had to force feed him I'm not sure how. I have tried a new kind of wet food, but he did the same where he just sniffed it and walked away. 

I saw a tube at Petco that had some kind of pastey stuff that said it was an appetite stimulant. I'm not sure if I should try that or not. 

@KOSMOSver3 -- are you able to get to an emergency vet? these symptoms are sounding pretty serious now. not being able to keep down water as well as food is very serious, and it doesn't take very long (can be as little as 2-3 days of not eating or not eating enough for an otherwise healthy cat) to develop hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease, which can be fatal).

if your vet was going to see you tomorrow is one thing, but since your vet can't see you until thursday and you're not finding another vet that is able to see your boy between now and thursday......that's quite another thing.

i'd like to ask an advisor in this forum for their opinion, just to make sure i'm not being overly cautious here -- @Columbine -- may i ask your opinion for the OP (original poster)? re emergency vet, is this advisable at this point?

The liver issues were what had me concerned, and why I wasn't happy with waiting till Thursday. There is an emergency vet, though it's quite a drive, and I've missed that window so I'll have to call in the morning. I'm just so worked up right now and at the moment this site has been the most help for me. I told the vet about all this on Monday and I'm not happy that they seem to not be all that concerned. 

@KOSMOSver3 -- could you try widening the area in which you're calling vet offices? i mean, if you could try vet's in say the next town over or such? i understand that it's well past the time that vet's offices will have closed here on the east coast, US. but could you try tomorrow morning, and see if any vet's can see your boy tomorrow -- explain that there is risk of hepatic lipidosis, to let them know that this is quite serious.

I'm already a few towns over with this vet, (going to be a 40 minute drive) and I have to wait till 9 am to call, but I will in the morning as soon as they're open. 

Any advice for trying to get some food in him in the meantime? 

You've been given the best advice there is. Your cat is extremely ill and needs to see an emergency vet now.

Your cat has stopped eating, is having diarrhea and vomiting, appears nauseous, and is sleeping all the time. He needs emergency treatment, and waiting will only make his condition worse.

There are no tricks to get a sick cat to eat. If he could eat, he would. He needs medical care.

KOSMOSver3 said:

 
The liver issues were what had me concerned, and why I wasn't happy with waiting till Thursday. There is an emergency vet, though it's quite a drive, and I've missed that window so I'll have to call in the morning. I'm just so worked up right now and at the moment this site has been the most help for me. I told the vet about all this on Monday and I'm not happy that they seem to not be all that concerned. 

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i understand your concern. it might help to get organized for what you'll do tomorrow morning. you could look up vet's in nearby towns to try (calling, to see if any are able to squeeze you in), write down any questions and concerns you may have (because when these kind of things -- that get us worried and stressed) come up it's very easy to forget to ask the vet everything we had wanted to.

have you tried stage 1 meat baby food, in the little jars? the kind that's pureed smooth and only has the meat (turkey, chicken, beef, or ham), water, and some have a little cornstarch added as the ingredients. that might be worth trying. beechnut or gerber brands. this kind of stage 1 meat baby food is the cat equivalent of a liquid diet, like humans are put on sometimes, because it's extremely easy on the tummy and very easy to digest. i've used the meat baby food, with a little water mixed into it, to syringe feed my girl when she was unable to keep food or water down.

@KOSMOSver3 -- very good points from @sarthur2. and i'm sure you're just as worried.

have you checked for another emergency vet that's further away? i understand that this could well mean a long drive, as i live in a rural area so am very familiar with these kind of issues. but if you're able to locate an emergency vet that is open that you can get to, this would be the best thing to do.

Do  you not think if you call you Vet and explain that NOW, not only is he not eating, but he is vomiting as well, that maybe they can squeeze him in tomorrow (Wednesday) afterall.  THEY were the ones who told you if he wasn't eating to bring him in on Wednesday, right.  SO....remind them of that.  They are your family Vet, correct?  There is no excuse for them not seeing him then, unless the doctor is not going to be there for some reason.  Most Vet's will see an animal if it's an emergency, during their open hours.  After hours, then it's emergency Vet time.  At this point he may need some fluids so he doesn't become dehydrated, if he isn't already, and an anti-emetic to help with the nausea.  Then obviously need to figure out what is causing his issues.  

I called a few places and managed to hear back from my vet, and they said I can drop him off and the doctor will see him between appointments and surgeries. 

He's had water twice now and kept it down, and eaten a little. I do want him in the vet to be seen and make sure his liver and hydration is okay. I'm getting him the crate now. 

@kosm

KOSMOSver3 said:

 
I called a few places and managed to hear back from my vet, and they said I can drop him off and the doctor will see him between appointments and surgeries. 

He's had water twice now and kept it down, and eaten a little. I do want him in the vet to be seen and make sure his liver and hydration is okay. I'm getting him the crate now. 

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well done!

if you have questions for your vet, then i'd write them down. when you do talk with the vet after he's seen your boy, it'll make it much easier to have the questions you have written down and right there for you -- you won't have to try to remember, with all the new info the vet tells you still being 'absorbed'.

please keep us updated on how your boy is doing, and what your vet says/finds.

This is great news!

I'm pleased he's kept a bit of water and food down. Hydration is key.

Will look forward to your update later.

The vet just called, I can pick him up in about half an hour. He's going to get IV fluids for a bit and they want to test his thyroid. They didn't tell me anything about the runny stools or any of the other issues, but when I go to pick him up I can talk and ask the vet then. 

Yes, please ask about the other symptoms and let us know.

His bloodwork was all normal, so that's good. The vet agreed that he could be feeling nauseous so she gave him a shot for that. He's still on metronidazole, but they lowered the dose and he has ammoxicilin too. If these meds clear things up than it's problem solved. If not, he may have to have is GI tract scoped to see what's up, with the possibility of having to go on steroids depending on what they find. They took another stool sample so we'll have to wait and see what that says. They also sent off bloodwork to see what his thyroid is like, since the vet thinks that could be causing problems too. Otherwise no sign of a blockage or any pain in his abdomen. He got fluids while he was there and they said when he came in he didn't seem too dehydrated, but he has lost a pound in weight. 

We just got home so he's pouting behind the couch right now. I kind of want to give him some space before I try to get meds into him. Hoping he'll want to try to eat something. 

I hope the meds clear things up, so there's no need for a GI scope. Also hoping his thyroid is normal. Hopefully with the anti-nausea shot he'll be able to eat better and put some weight back on.

Poor little guy. Glad you were able to get him in today. He's been suffering.

The anti-emetic and fluids should make him feel better, once he gets over being made at you .  Hope he eats a great big meal. 

Did they give him any appetite enhancers as well? 

He's been home for three hours, had a couple bites of dry food. But he got up in my lap for a quick cuddle and rubbed my legs, which is more than I've had in days. 

No appetite enhancers. I asked if there was anything I could do to get him to eat and everything they knew I already tried. Thinking of offering him a little baby food for now. 

One thing I didn't think to ask at the vet (because brain fart) was about using yogurt. I was talking to one of the vet techs and she was saying how the one medicine he's on works by helping more of the good bacteria while getting rid of the bad, or something like that. I'm probably wrong about how that works, but just roll with me for a sec. When my mom got her cat as a kitten, that kitten had runny stools too, and the vet she went to suggested giving the kitten a little plain yogurt to help out. I'm wondering if I could do the same with Tibby?