My cat has been on Lasix for a few months - they've been increasing the dosage. His potassium levels have dropped a lot even though he's getting potassium powder 3 times daily. He is active and wants to eat - takes me into the kitchen and asks and even gets excited when I am opening the can of tuna. But then he sniffs it and walks away. It's been happening for several days now. I've force fed him a bit but he gets annoyed after a few bites. Has anyone else experienced this? Thanks so much!
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Cat taking Lasix for CHF - wants to eat but will not eat - pls help.
- Thread starter skippylu
- Start Date
My CHF cat has lost weight and acts similar since her diagnosis 2 years ago. I have found I have to rotate what I give her. I do not have the largest budget for cat food; so I try to feed the Fancy Feast Classics or Chunky Chicken along with dry food. She doesn't tolerate much fish and no beef; so that limits some of the choices. I have also used Bonito Fish Flake toppers to encourage her to eat (just a pinch is like bacon for cats and not so much that it affects her belly). Gerber chicken and turkey baby foods are also appealing; but not nutritionally complete so they can't serve as anything more than a snack. But it does encourage her to eat sometimes. If you try that; be sure it's the plain baby food with nothing else added. Especially onions/garlic since those are toxic to cats.
She also liked the Sheba Chicken and Turkey but they have fish oil so those are out.
I'm trying to keep to the grain free options at least and working with my vet; but at this point lower quality/less ideal ingredients are better than starving. So we just do the best we can.
She also liked the Sheba Chicken and Turkey but they have fish oil so those are out.
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if he is sniffing and walking away=nausea. Ask about Cerenia or Zofran. There's one other med that comes as generic but I can't remember the name.
Pepcid ac helps with acid. Maybe the Lasix causes a bit tummy upset? do they tell you to feed food before giving or does it matter?
Pepcid ac helps with acid. Maybe the Lasix causes a bit tummy upset? do they tell you to feed food before giving or does it matter?
Hi
S
skippylu
! Welcome to TCS 
It's pretty common for chf cats to go off their food. The condition dulls their appetite a bit anyway, and if they're finding breathing harder just putting their head down to eat can make it worse.
It's a great sign that he's hungry and asking for food. Sometimes all it takes to get them eating is holding the bowl so they don't have to put their head down to eat. If that doesn't work, hand feeding often will. I lost a cat to chf a few years ago (and a dog to the same illness last month), and I used to spend hours sitting with him - both encouraging him to eat and hand feeding.
Especially if he's not eating a lot, you want to be sure that what he does eat is balanced if at all possible (ie a complete cat food). I'd start with the stinkiest, yummiest cat food you can find - whatever his all time favourite is. It would also be worth trying him with Hills a/d, as it's very nutrient dense and is designed to be appealing even to sick cats. Warming the food to bring out the aroma often helps too.
Having said that, the most important thing is to get him eating, so if he really isn't going for the cat food options, give him whatever he will eat. Pure meat baby foods are often irresistible to cats - just make sure they're free of garlic and onions. I used to cook fresh chicken and turkey for my guys - either roast or poached (both without seasonings, of course ).
Another important tip is to stay really calm and chilled whilst feeding him. I know just how upsetting it is when they won't eat, and how desperate you can become, but you must never let that anxiety and tension show during feeding times. You can guarantee that he'll pick up on it, and it'll likely make him even less inclined to eat. As far as he is concerned, it must all seem like it's no big deal. So much easier to say than do, I know.
If you do need to force/syringe feed him, this thread explains the process wonderfully [thread="227858"][/thread] I must stress, though, that syringing should only be viewed as a short term solution in this case. If it gets to the point where the only way he'll eat is syringing, then you need to reasses his situation.
It's well worth talking to your vet about his eating. A simple B12 injection can give a temporary boost, and that can make all the difference in getting him to eat again. I've had vets give a steriod injection to help with appetite too. If neither of those help, there are always appetite stimulants such as mirtazapine. I always prefer to start with B12 and/or steriods though, as they have fewer (if any) side effects.
I really hope you can get your boy eating again very soon. My heart goes out to you both
[article="33011"][/article]
It's pretty common for chf cats to go off their food. The condition dulls their appetite a bit anyway, and if they're finding breathing harder just putting their head down to eat can make it worse.
It's a great sign that he's hungry and asking for food. Sometimes all it takes to get them eating is holding the bowl so they don't have to put their head down to eat. If that doesn't work, hand feeding often will. I lost a cat to chf a few years ago (and a dog to the same illness last month), and I used to spend hours sitting with him - both encouraging him to eat and hand feeding.
Especially if he's not eating a lot, you want to be sure that what he does eat is balanced if at all possible (ie a complete cat food). I'd start with the stinkiest, yummiest cat food you can find - whatever his all time favourite is. It would also be worth trying him with Hills a/d, as it's very nutrient dense and is designed to be appealing even to sick cats. Warming the food to bring out the aroma often helps too.
Having said that, the most important thing is to get him eating, so if he really isn't going for the cat food options, give him whatever he will eat. Pure meat baby foods are often irresistible to cats - just make sure they're free of garlic and onions. I used to cook fresh chicken and turkey for my guys - either roast or poached (both without seasonings, of course
). Another important tip is to stay really calm and chilled whilst feeding him. I know just how upsetting it is when they won't eat, and how desperate you can become, but you must never let that anxiety and tension show during feeding times. You can guarantee that he'll pick up on it, and it'll likely make him even less inclined to eat. As far as he is concerned, it must all seem like it's no big deal. So much easier to say than do, I know.
If you do need to force/syringe feed him, this thread explains the process wonderfully [thread="227858"][/thread] I must stress, though, that syringing should only be viewed as a short term solution in this case. If it gets to the point where the only way he'll eat is syringing, then you need to reasses his situation.
It's well worth talking to your vet about his eating. A simple B12 injection can give a temporary boost, and that can make all the difference in getting him to eat again. I've had vets give a steriod injection to help with appetite too. If neither of those help, there are always appetite stimulants such as mirtazapine. I always prefer to start with B12 and/or steriods though, as they have fewer (if any) side effects.
I really hope you can get your boy eating again very soon. My heart goes out to you both
[article="33011"][/article]
Good point; I have to space out when meds are given and when meals are offered or she will vomit.
