I've been force feeding my 15 yr old cat for the past 3 days. She stopped eating on Sunday. The vet said her liver enzymes are elevated but she isnt sure if the cat stopped eating because she has a liver problem or if she has a liver problem because she stopped eating. I had to put my other 14yr cat to sleep 3 wks ago. They had been together since they were 4 and 8 months old. My question is how long till she starts eating on her own. The vet said 3-5 days but the research I've done says as long as 4-6 weeks. I don't think I can do this for that long. Any one else ever had this experience? Any advice?
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force feeding my cat
- Thread starter ckatz
- Start Date
I don't know the answer to your question, but I wonder if anything is being done for the elevated liver enzymes. I just found out this week that one of my cats, Purdy, also has elevated liver enzymes. He is eating okay, though. But the vet prescribed Denosyl tablets daily to try to bring the enzyme level down.
I think it really depends on the reason your cat has stopped eating. When we were in the process of having our cat's cancer diagnosed, she was suffering from sever upper respiratory symptoms so she couldn't smell the food. We'd been force feeding for about 3 days before she started eating on her own again..and we continued to supplement until we were sure she was getting enough.
One of the vet techs told us that she'd seen several cat's adapt to syringe feeding over time. So stick with it. I know that we were grateful to have a way to help our cat through weak periods during chemotherapy, but I can't say that it wasn't difficult at times. I'll keep my fingers crossed that your cat will recover quickly.
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- #4
The vet isn't sure why she stopped eating. It could be emotional (her lifelong companion died 3 wks ago) or medical(some undetected liver disease). I'm just concerned that I'm torturing her and I'll still need to put her to sleep. The vet said 3-5 days this is day 3 and she doesnt seem to be any better or more interested in eating on her own. How long before your cat started eating?
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- #5
the vet said getting her to eat would lower the liver values. So far she doesnt seem any better or interested in eating on her own.
It sounds like she's grieving as well
Hissy always sits with her cats if one of them dies and talks to them to tell them what happend to the other cat, because if you think about it she's lost a long term friend and play mate
Me personally i would be taking her back to the vet to get another check over as well.
Me personally i would be taking her back to the vet to get another check over as well.
It does matter if you can find out why the liver enzymes are up - as in which came first, what ever caused the elevation then affecting appetite, or the not eating causing the increase in values.
That aside, I recently had one of my cats stop eating almost completely when he'd had just about enough of procedures, medications, vet visits etc., and had to wear an elizabethan collar for 6 weeks. I fed him for that entire time. Now that the collar is off, fewer meds needed, the condition requiring the collar cleared, up, he's eating on his own.
It just depends.
Be sure you know how much your kitty needs per day in cc's of slurry (blended food)...is your vet having you use Hills A/d? It has a great consistency for syringe feeding (soft, pudding like), and is for situations where maximum calores and nutrients are needed.
I had it down to just a few minutes time...I knew how much I wanted to give per feeding, fed 3-4 times per day, and the routine came complete with kisses afterward and snuggles.
Hang in there, it really can be worked around almost any schedule.
There is an assist-feeding support group I can put you in touch with if you wish, just private message me if you'd like their web address.
That aside, I recently had one of my cats stop eating almost completely when he'd had just about enough of procedures, medications, vet visits etc., and had to wear an elizabethan collar for 6 weeks. I fed him for that entire time. Now that the collar is off, fewer meds needed, the condition requiring the collar cleared, up, he's eating on his own.
It just depends.
Be sure you know how much your kitty needs per day in cc's of slurry (blended food)...is your vet having you use Hills A/d? It has a great consistency for syringe feeding (soft, pudding like), and is for situations where maximum calores and nutrients are needed.
I had it down to just a few minutes time...I knew how much I wanted to give per feeding, fed 3-4 times per day, and the routine came complete with kisses afterward and snuggles.
Hang in there, it really can be worked around almost any schedule.
There is an assist-feeding support group I can put you in touch with if you wish, just private message me if you'd like their web address.
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- #8
Thanks for your reply and advice. I'm going to take her back to the vet tomorrow to see if anything can be done to get her eating on her own. I really can't keep doing this, I'm not this nuturing of a person. If I were I'd have a kid not a cat.
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- #9
I took my 15 yr cat back to the vet when the force feeding wasn't helping. She got an ultrasound today and it turns out her pancras (sp.) was infected that's why she hasn't been eating. She needs to spend a couple days in the hospital but they sound very optimistic about her full recovery. Thank you all for your support and advice. I'm happy I decided to get the ultrasound even tho it was EXPENSIVE. Hopefully it will be well worth the cost.
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Thank you for being a responsible pet owner and going that extra mile for her.
I am so glad you followed up on your instincts, and very glad to hear she should be okay
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I haven't had any experience with this so can offer no advice. But, I do want you to know our thoughts and prayers are with you. Thank you for taking such good care of this sweet cat.
Spot stopped eating at one point. We put him on cyproheptadine, and after a few days of syringe feeding him, he started eating on his own. The vet though he might have a mild bout of pancreatitis, but we never found out for sure. He's doing pretty well now, though I watch how much he eats like crazy, and I give him CatSip on his food to encourage him to eat more.
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- #16
After a loooong 4 days my good girl gaby has started to eat this am. She is still in the hospital. I went to see her on Tuesday night and I thought for sure is wasn't long for this world but now things are looking up. I'm almost afraid to be this optimistic. Thanks again for all your good wishes. Reading your posts made me cry and smile at the same thing. People don't understand how stressful this can be. I'm glad I found this site even just to vent my thoughts.
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- #18
My sweet cat Gaby is no longer with us. Early this morning I got a call from the vets informing Gaby took a turn for the worst sometime last night. By the time I got there she was barely alive but I was able to hold her and say goodbye. She is with her lifelong companion of 14 years Tara. Tara died 3 weeks ago and Gaby just lost the will to live, stopped eating and refused to start in spite of everyone best efforts. I will miss both my sweet cats but it's easier knowing they are together.
Thank you for all your kind support and encouragement during this difficult time.
Thank you for all your kind support and encouragement during this difficult time.
I am so very sorry for your loss.
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- #20
thank you.Originally Posted by Pat & Alix
I am so very sorry for your loss.
