Help - Any experience with feeding tubes?

mandy11320 · Nov 15, 2015

Our cat Tay has been fighting a long battle after eating some lilies. She is finally back home after a couple of weeks in the ICU, and we've been feeding her through a tube for about a week now.

She's slowly getting some appetite back, but not enough to stop the tube feeding. After each feeding, she gets extremely lethargic and sleepy, and just crawls away to a favorite sleeping spot and passes out. Is this normal? I'm guessing that it is, but for some reason it worries me...

Thanks!

stephenq · Nov 15, 2015

Mandy11320 said:
Our cat Tay has been fighting a long battle after eating some lilies. She is finally back home after a couple of weeks in the ICU, and we've been feeding her through a tube for about a week now.

She's slowly getting some appetite back, but not enough to stop the tube feeding. After each feeding, she gets extremely lethargic and sleepy, and just crawls away to a favorite sleeping spot and passes out. Is this normal? I'm guessing that it is, but for some reason it worries me...

Thanks!

I've fed cats through feeding tubes many times and not seen what you are describing. But lillies attack blood cells, and she may be anemic. Maybe after the feeding its just tie for her to rest. I would check with the vet. Make sure you flush the feeding tube line after each feeding, but i expect you know that as well as not to feed to fast. If she starts licking her lips you're going too fast.

mandy11320 · Nov 15, 2015

Thanks, StephenQ! She actually is anemic. We are taking her in once a week for the next month for an injection to help her red blood cell counts rise. I hadn't thought about the fact that it's likely contributing to her sleepiness afterwards.

After a few hours of deep sleep she is up and about again, so I'm guessing that's a positive sign too...

momofmaxwell · Nov 16, 2015

Hi Mandy.How much are you getting into her per feeding and what are you feeding?.Glad she is ok after that.For anemia you can look at her gums.Take one finger and press her gum hold it there for a second then release.It should go back to pink.Great she is on the mend.Hugs C.

denice · Nov 16, 2015

My kitty was on a feeding tube for a month because of fatty liver and I didn't see this. I too think this is due to anemia.

stephenq · Nov 16, 2015

Mandy11320 said:
Thanks, StephenQ! She actually is anemic. We are taking her in once a week for the next month for an injection to help her red blood cell counts rise. I hadn't thought about the fact that it's likely contributing to her sleepiness afterwards.

After a few hours of deep sleep she is up and about again, so I'm guessing that's a positive sign too...

It may take a certain amount of blood flow to digest food and will low red cells diverting some blood for food may make her feel temporarily weaker, but i'm glad she is on the mend. Lilies are TERRIBLE, the worst plant for cats and i won't even let them into my home. If someone gives me some as a gift i'll smile and thank then and then throw them out after they leave

mandy11320 · Nov 16, 2015

StephenQ said:
It may take a certain amount of blood flow to digest food and will low red cells diverting some blood for food may make her feel temporarily weaker, but i'm glad she is on the mend. Lilies are TERRIBLE, the worst plant for cats and i won't even let them into my home. If someone gives me some as a gift i'll smile and thank then and then throw them out after they leave

Yes, we had NO IDEA and wish we did. We still can't believe that something so dangerous isn't more well known! We definitely won't ever have them in our house again, nor will we buy them for anyone. We have had a terrible few weeks and had to drive her 6 hours to LSU just so she could get the treatment to save her. She's definitely a fighter and doing much better than she was a few weeks ago thankfully.

mandy11320 · Nov 16, 2015

MomofMaxwell said:
Hi Mandy.How much are you getting into her per feeding and what are you feeding?.Glad she is ok after that.For anemia you can look at her gums.Take one finger and press her gum hold it there for a second then release.It should go back to pink.Great she is on the mend.Hugs C.

She is up to her full feeding amount (60 mLs 4x a day). And we are feeding her Hills A/D. She had her first check up on Friday and the vet gave her some appetite stimulant, so every day she has been eating some food on her own, so we give her just a little bit less through the tube depending on how much she's eaten... That's a good tip about the gums, thanks! And thanks for the positive thoughts

stephenq · Nov 16, 2015

Mandy11320 said:
She is up to her full feeding amount (60 mLs 4x a day). And we are feeding her Hills A/D. She had her first check up on Friday and the vet gave her some appetite stimulant, so every day she has been eating some food on her own, so we give her just a little bit less through the tube depending on how much she's eaten... That's a good tip about the gums, thanks! And thanks for the positive thoughts

I think you meant ML's 4x day not 60 right?

, haha 240 ML's would be ah 2.4 liters right?

In any case, you and your cat are lucky, many die from lillies. A/D is an amazing food for sick cats and it sounds like your a great parent to your cat and that you have great vets.

Keep us updated

louann jude · Nov 16, 2015

I have never done feeding tubes but I know anemia will make you tired. My sister is severely anemic and to have transfusions from time to time. She gets to where all she does is sleep. I am sure it would be the same for a cat. No energy for anything but sleep. Hope your baby feels better soon.

Help - Any experience with feeding tubes?

mandy11320

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denice

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