He's not eating

Hey guys,
My mom's cat, Rasha, who is a flame point siamese isn't eating. He is elderly, around 18 years old and was diagnosed with Kidney failure about 3 years ago. We're not sure how he survived past the first week, but a combination of the innital dialisis; pills to circulate some blood around his kidneys; and some low protein food has kept him going.
I just got home from a trip to my boyfriends house and when I got home mom announced that they had changed the formula of the catfood he's been eating (again) and he's refusing it. She's been force feeding him for days with some finer pate stuff from the vet, but he's still refusing to eat on his own. He's also lost a bunch of weight and I'm starting to be able to see his hips. this afternoon (I'm home, therefore taking care of the little guy) I tried warming up his food and lacing it with bits of treats and some catnip. Of course he ate the treats off the top (wouldn't dig for the other ones) and licked the catnip off. He did enjoy the water off of my tunafish, but even then just sniffed at it for awhile, instead of diving in head first like he always does.
He's also stopped talking, which really concerns my mom as he's a siamese and very very talkitive.
He's drinking ok, and has been sleeping a lot, but he normally does. He had lots of interest in the "treats" last night when I gave him one to perk up his tastebuds, which is why I tried it again today.
I'm starting to think that mom should by-pass the low protein and go for some apetite enhancing food, just for the time being.
What should I suggest to her?
Thanks a bunch,
Jess

I agree with you.
Just my opinion, mind you. If you cat refuses to eat, and doesn't get enough to eat through assist feeding, he will waste away and die. Feeding him higher protein stuff that might perk his interest *may* cause complications with his existing disease, but it might not too, and it could very well save his life.
I would run it by his vet to see what he thinks, but there is nothing pleasant about watching an animal starve himself to death.

Good luck!!

Devlyn

I think it might be the time for you and your mother to get together with a vet, to explore your options. This cat sounds miserable

I'm not sure what our vet will tell us. He was in a few weeks ago to get his shots and she said that his teeth were bad (but we knew that), he has some arthritis, and a small heart murmor. Other than that, she said he's in pretty good health for a cat going through this. I tried some Nutro Max Turkey and Gibblets that we had around for the other cats (same protein level as the stuff he's been eating) and he actually ate a bit by himself.
I think we're going to continue trying some of the more apealing cat foods, at least smell-wise with him, afterall every bit helps, and if it doesn't work, talk to the vet. Maybe if we luck out and bits of food will turn into mouthfulls.

Here are some tips to get him to eat

• Warm the canned cat food in the microwave several seconds to wake up the flavor.
• Give the cat a small pinch of catnip (an appetite stimulant) before feeding.
• Sprinkle grated cheese over the food. Dot the food with cream cheese.
• Check the cat's nostrils for crusty discharge. Cats won't eat what they can't smell.
• Acidophilus capsules- break one open, wet your little finger, dip your finger in the powder, and rub your wet finger on your cat's gum.
• Give them forced fluids (either subcutaneous or syringed liquid (Pedialyte) an hour before meals.

Ask your vet for Cyproheptadine, which is an antihistimine but it does encourage them to eat

I think heating food in a microwave is a bad idea, it kills the flavor. Instead, try doing what i do: get a very small dish, fill it with water and zap it so the water's boiling. Then place the wet food can in the dish and let it warm up in hot water, the juices will run and it will STINK! .. hopefully, the cat will smell it and will eat

good luck.

I've never heard that trick, but I might give it a try. At the moment he's eating little portions of the Nutro Max's, and hes eating it by himself. He's already a bit more responsive.
~keepin on truckin

Yay! I'm glad to hear he's perkier. Could his teeth be bothering him?
My resident old feller, Morris, (I'm not sure *how* old he is) has terrible teeth as well and some days prefer to gum at the canned food, other days he attacks the dry. His greediness would override any ailment I'm sure.

Dev

Your mom's cat is just a couple of months older than my Patrick (also approaching 3 years with crf)...I can relate to how it feels when they get iffy re eating.

Because he goes up and down with his eating, I base my thoughts on when enough is enough based on the rest of Patrick's behavior.

Yes, I'd give him anything he'd eat to get his appetite jump started again...if he's into fish, get nice smelly fishy blends, if he's a "gravy-cat", go for any brand with this (I find Fancy Feast has a blend or texture with or without gravy for almost any cat's tastes).

The teeth can def. be part of the problem, perhaps your vet would consider some antibiotics to knock out any current infection...I can understand not putting him through a dental at this point - I won't put Patrick through one.

There are some neat tips re crf kitties and inappetance here:
Tanya's Site this goes over tips and tricks as well as drugs that can be prescribed and more.

Thanks so much.
It seems mom got through the first can, since it was gone this morning, but he's turning his nose up at the "oceanfish". It's funny, perhaps he's suddenly decided that he likes turkey better.
The teeth have always been a big problem for him, he didn't get them all in in the first place and has been slowly loosing his teeth since. At one point he even caught a mouse, and we knew it was him because the corpse left on the floor was ....yes....it was gummed to death. I've never seen a flat mouse before, but this one sure was. I've certainly learned a lesson from our cats and will be brushing for all of the kittens to come (including Chester).
Mom's staying cautiously hopeful, just wishing he'd talk again (she really misses it). At least he's showing interest and his eyes are getting brighter.
I'll read the page, thanks again!
Jess

LMAO! Gumming the mouse to death. Ohhhhh too funny.
That sounds like something my Morris would do. Morris also was declawed on the front, and I swear cats are *not* defenseless, not even when they are clawless and toothless.
I'm glad to hear that Rasha is hanging in there and is feeling a little better.
He's lucky to have you and your Mom looking out for him.

Dev

Well, we took Rasha to the vet last night. He just wasn't doing the eating thing, no matter how the food was warmed up or what brand it was. The vet insisted on bringing him in before she'd give us any advice/products. Of course, she said "well, he doesn't look bad, has lost some weight and I'll put some water under his skin". Oh, he was also with a low temperature (heart murmur) and was "pale".
She gave us some stuff called "rebound" which has electrolites in it and some Hills K/D to try. He ran out of the box and downstairs and started hulling back the dry food as soon as we arrived home.
All attempts to keep him warm via gas fireplace and heating pads failed. I think he knew that we wanted him to and was being a cat. He also didn't eat by himself all night and mom force fed him a few times.
HOWEVER! This morning I tried the K/D (which is super stinky) and he is currently inhaling it. I just hope this is a good sign and not simply a flux in apetite.
I think the vet is trying to get my mom ready to put him down, keeps on talking about how he's not going to get better, that it's all downhill from here and she can do blood tests, but there wouldn't really be any point. Of course, mom refused the tests...because there isn't any point. Fortunately we're very humane people and if it goes too far and he continues to not eat we know what to do, unfortunately these decisions are the hardest to make.

I'm glad Rasha has such good people looking out for him.
You are doing the best you can right now and I'm sure Rasha feels loved.

Good luck!

Dev