My cat hasn't eaten for 5 days.

sadiesnewmom

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I just adopted a cat (6yrs old) from the humane society. She has a upper resporatory infection and keeps itching her ears. They said she doesn't have ear mites. Now i have had her for 5 days and she won't eat anything. She has drank some water. She has used the litter box for pee only. She hasn't pooped yet. Anyone want to help. she is very affectionate and loves to be held.
 

vi04

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Try Boiled chicken and feed by hand ... see that works or boiled Fish
 

sweets

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Since Sadie can't smell, she won't eat. Warm some fish for her. That will help increase the smell. Try warming some canned food for her too. If it doesn't intice her, try the hand feeding.
 

dawnofsierra

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Your kitty needs to get to the Vet immediately! When cats suddenly stop eating for whatever reason, they are at risk for a potentially fatal condition known as Hepatic Lipidosis. It is time that you must begin assist feeding her if she will not eat on her own. She needs professional care without delay!
 

hissy

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Please get this cat to a vet NOW- 5 days of not eating is very dangerous for cats and chances are she is becoming quite ill inside. It is called Feline Hepatic Lipidosis and it can take a cat quickly. Once they get into the cycle of non eating, it becomes hard for them to start. There are ways the vet can help you get this cat to eat.

Please read this article as well

FHL


Good luck!
 

semiferal

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I agree - this situation may be a life threatening emergency and she needs to go to the nearest 24 hour vet clinic immediately.

For the future, a cat should never be allowed to go more than 24 hours without eating. If a cat does not want to eat because of illness or injury, you need to feed him baby food (plain meat or meat/sweet potato combination only, check the label to make sure it doesn't contain onion) or mushed up canned food with a syringe. It takes just a little food each day to keep their liver function okay, but if they miss this little bit of food it is very, very serious.
 

jeanw

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I also agree - please take your kitty to the vet post haste! The vet can help what may be a life threatening problem.
 

e_peery

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I agree with the others. Action has to be taken very quickly. I lost one of my babies to Hepatic Lipidosis over a year ago. The condition can be reversable but needs agressive treatment. Unfortunately for my Woody it was all too stressfull and I had to let him go.
My best wishes to you and your cat.
 
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sadiesnewmom

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Originally Posted by Sadiesnewmom

I just adopted a cat (6yrs old) from the humane society. She has a upper resporatory infection and keeps itching her ears. They said she doesn't have ear mites. Now i have had her for 5 days and she won't eat anything. She has drank some water. She has used the litter box for pee only. She hasn't pooped yet. Anyone want to help. she is very affectionate and loves to be held.
Thanks for all the advice. I have been in contact with the vet and the humane society. Both had said that eating for not a few days is normal for a cat in her new surroundings. Also I took her yesterday to the vet and they found nothing wrong with her. Just the upper resp. infection. I noticed last night her ears weren't bothering her as much and this morning FINALLY some of her food was gone. She even laid down with our Yellow Labrador Retriever. I think the medicine is starting to kick in and she is feeling better. Thanks again!!
 

blueyedgirl5946

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She needs to eat. Have you tried some different things to try to get some food in her.
 

stampit3d

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Well that a relief I`m sure.....and if she saw the vet yesterday then you are probably OK now that she is eating....but i`d sure spoil her a bit with some tasty morsels til she is acting normal...and take her to the vet again if she stops eating ordrinking or using her litter.
Best to you and your new kitty friend.
Linda
 
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sadiesnewmom

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She has been eating this morning and up and around. Exploring the house more. I bought her some catnip and some wet tasty food! She had some kitty treats this afternoon. She seems like she's feeling better.
I love all the advice. Sometimes when people reply it sounds like their mad. I would never put this kitty in harms way.
 

crittergirl

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Originally Posted by Sadiesnewmom

She has been eating this morning and up and around. Exploring the house more. I bought her some catnip and some wet tasty food! She had some kitty treats this afternoon. She seems like she's feeling better.
I love all the advice. Sometimes when people reply it sounds like their mad. I would never put this kitty in harms way.
No one is angry, sorry you took it that way. We just know how dangerous it is for your baby not to eat and we feel a sense of urgency to get her looked at.
 

semiferal

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Originally Posted by Sadiesnewmom

Thanks for all the advice. I have been in contact with the vet and the humane society. Both had said that eating for not a few days is normal for a cat in her new surroundings. something
This is somewhat true but if the cat is at all overweight then it is really critical that he or she eats something, even just a few bites, every day. Sadly, I've known a couple of situations where shelter workers unintentionally contributed to a cat's death because they figured that it wasn't a problem that the cat was not eating since he was fat and could live off the stored body fat for a few days. A person can do that without any problems. A dog can do it too. But a cat, especially an overweight cat, can not.
 

lionessrampant

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Did you have test run on her ears? If there's any discharge not from mites, she could have a yeast infection in her ears. Those are uncomfortable...Leo doesn't eat much when he has ear infections and he itches a lot. You can get drops from the vet that will clear it right up. At any rate, get some ear cleaner from teh vet and clean them at least once a week.
 
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sadiesnewmom

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The vet at both places(Humane society & my vet) cleaned her ears. No discharge or ear mites. Last night she didn't mind me rubbing them which was the first sign of them not bothering her. She seems to be doing better. I saved her from the humane society knowing that she had a cold and she is on antibiotics. All in all she has been a great cat since we've had her. Since she ate last night and some today and is drinking water(from the dogs bowl
, she should be okay. I'm a stay at home mom so i can keep an eye on her all day.
 

jeanw

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Originally Posted by crittergirl

No one is angry, sorry you took it that way. We just know how dangerous it is for your baby not to eat and we feel a sense of urgency to get her looked at.
Yes, that's exactly right. So happy to hear your kitty is doing much better!
 

kittenkiya

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If it is any help to you, when Old Pete got upper respiratory, we though he was going to die. I got some strained baby meats, chicken and beef, the beef worked the best. I mixed it with some water and put it in a syringe (with no needle) and just pushed it into his mouth. We force fed him food and water for a week and the day he staggered over to the water bowl, we all got drunk. Try strained baby meats.
 

jane_vernon

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KittenKiya - Thats hilarious!!! I know how you feel when one of your babies does something like that!! I have never wanted to see poop so much in my life!! I didn't even care if it was spread all over the house!!!
 
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