Update on baby RJ

If you read http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80977 you will the story on our little baby RJ. It's been a rough week for him

The anti-vomit meds started working for about 2 days, and he threw up. Then, he would be good for a day, and do it again. The last 3 days he was throwing up anywhere for an hour to 2 hours after his morning breakfast and evening dinner.

We went back to the vet this morning, and upon examination, he's gone from 4lbs. from the initial visit, to 3.7lbs today.

The vet gave us this powder and I can't read the name of it. It begins with a "P". It's an enyzme that you mix with his food and it suppose to help break it down. He's really starting to believe he has some type of congenital defect.

I am making a seperate post because I need some help. He said if the enzyme medication doesn't help, he's out of options because nothing is showing up as to what could be wrong with him. I don't know what else to do, or what I can suggest. He told us that cats can get all kinds of diseases and such that you can't test for, but I just... I don't want to believe this. I'm afraid he is slowly starving here, but he's been fighting for so long, and I keep looking for signs. I keep asking him to show me something on what I should do, and the only thing I can feel from him is don't give up.

I have to figure out a way to put weight on him. I feel like if we can do this he might have a fighting chance. You guys, he's so small. I wish I could take pictures, but he hates the flash so much The vet told us to feed him 3 times a day, wet food, to put on weight, but the food has the meds in it and he won't eat as much as he does with the medication not in it. I bought dry kitten food for him, he won't touch it, and wet kitten food and he turns his nose up. I need help. Suggestions, something, anything. I feel so lost. He's curled up now with his little fleece blanket in my lap and just looks so peaceful.

Thanks for listening, I just don't know where else to turn. All my friends are so tired of listening to me talk about all my furbabies. Everyone here are the only people I know that can offer a sympathetic ear, or advice. Again, thanks. I appreciate everything.

Well, you've come to the place where nobody ever tires of talking about cats!!

I'm so sorry to hear how RJ is not doing very well! Thats so sad that the vet doesn't know what to do aside from this enzyme. Maybe you should try and find a feline specialist for a second opinion? Could they put him on tubefeeding to get some weight back on?

I really hope something happens to resolve this mystery problem. It is very hard to watch your baby be sick!

We'll all be thinking of you!

Can you tempt him with some baby food (turkey, chicken)? Have you tried different brands of kitten food?

I am praying for this sweet kitty. Please keep us informed.

I am thinking of RJ and sending major good vibes. Poor you, I am so sorry about all your troubles. Jasmine had a very bad URI when she was a kitten and she stopped eating, I tried everything and the only thing I found was I tried giving her wet food warmed up in the microwave. Remember, the smellier the better! She would only eat Wiskas choice cuts in gravy for a while. Even though it wasn't great food, I was just happy she was eating. Mabye try something like that. Her problem was that she couldn't smell so she didn't want to eat. It doesn't sound like RJ has that same problem but maybe try it. Good luck and please let us know how it goes!

Originally Posted by Yosemite

Can you tempt him with some baby food (turkey, chicken)? Have you tried different brands of kitten food?

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I didn't think of baby food! We've tried all kinds of kitten food, regular food, and all he will eat is Fancy Feast. It may not be the best, but by god he eats it and that is all that is important to me at the moment. If you could, specifically, since I know there is a ton of baby food, recommend something. I'll go get it later this evening for his next feeding.

I wish I could understand why the vet isn't being more helpful. Am I right in this feeling? I don't know what to think, lol. I'm getting delirious I think with trying to help him.

I will also try warming all his food up a bit, and maybe that will encourage him a bit.

Thank you for all the vibes. I honestly and truly appreciate every last one of them, and I know RJ does too. We'll keep fighting the good fight.

If you aren't totally confident in your vet's treatment of RJ, don't hesitate to get a second opinion from a different vet! As a medical professional, he shouldn't even be offended if you ask him for a recommendation. It isn't a personal matter even, most doctors will freely admit that sometimes they just don't think of something, or haven't experienced it before, while another vet will think of it or has seen it before. And nobody should begrudge you trying to get the best care you can. Try someone else and see if they have a different perspective.
Best wishes!

So sorry you guys are going through this, it must be awful. I would think the baby food might work, or heating the food up? I will be sending you loving vibes, and hope he gets better real soon!!

Originally Posted by Zissou'sMom

If you aren't totally confident in your vet's treatment of RJ, don't hesitate to get a second opinion from a different vet! As a medical professional, he shouldn't even be offended if you ask him for a recommendation. It isn't a personal matter even, most doctors will freely admit that sometimes they just don't think of something, or haven't experienced it before, while another vet will think of it or has seen it before. And nobody should begrudge you trying to get the best care you can. Try someone else and see if they have a different perspective.
Best wishes!

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This is, or was, our second opinion. Maybe a third is an order? I've been searching for a feline specialist in the area and can't find it. There's one in the area, but if it is out there, I will find it. My confusion lies in the fact that one vet tells us he needs surgery, or he needs to be put down, and the next one tells us he doesn't see the need for surgery anymore, and he doesn't know what the issue is. Such... confusion. Just keep him in your thoughts. We'll nip this in the butt one way or another.

Originally Posted by alikatt

I didn't think of baby food! We've tried all kinds of kitten food, regular food, and all he will eat is Fancy Feast. It may not be the best, but by god he eats it and that is all that is important to me at the moment. If you could, specifically, since I know there is a ton of baby food, recommend something. I'll go get it later this evening for his next feeding.

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I believe it is the Stage 1 baby food (the one with no onions). Good luck with your baby.

Thank you Yosemite. I went last night before I heard from you, and found some baby food. Everything the store had was stage 2, but I checked the ingredients, and all it listed was ground chicken, water, and corn starch. I assume this is safe?

As of today, RJ threw up this morning, and he stopped eating last night. Well, he stopped eating anything with the enzymes in it. I wish he could understand that this will help him. So, we gave him regular food and hoped for the best, and still didn't eat much.

We later discovered a way to trick him. He'll eat it as long as baby food is mixed in with his regular food, and the medication. He ate it up, and hasn't vomited yet.

I contacted the vet office, and the vet on call looked over RJ's file and asked me some questions. I liked her... so maybe next time I will ask for her. She said don't base his whole diet on the babyfood, but if he will eat it mixed in, do it. She eased my worries a bit about him not eating, and said she will discuss with Dr. Johnson tomorrow about him not wanting to eat the food with the enzymes. So, hopefully someone will be in touch, and at the very least he keeps eating. Another good note is that even though he is still throwing up, it's been more than half of what he has been throwing up, so this may be a plus too.

Thanks everyone! I'll keep posting about him as much as I can, and I may have more questions in the future about him. I'll post pictures but I will feel like such a bad meowmy because he's so tiny.

There's a feline specialist in Columbus GA, www.allcatsclinic.com I don't know if thats anywhere near you though. Or you can search your city / state here: http://www.aafponline.org/findadoctor.php They may not be cat-only, I'm not sure, but they are at least specialists. Yay! He's eating again though!

Originally Posted by Zissou'sMom

There's a feline specialist in Columbus GA, www.allcatsclinic.com I don't know if thats anywhere near you though. Or you can search your city / state here: http://www.aafponline.org/findadoctor.php They may not be cat-only, I'm not sure, but they are at least specialists. Yay! He's eating again though!

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Thank you so much! I will make a note, BUT!!! I HAVE A HUGE UPDATE

Now it may not seem like much, but he's been begging to fed all night which is a huge huge thing. We usually have to wake him up to eat. BUT!! the best news!! He had this..."thing". All cat's have a "thing" but before he got sick, he had this habit of when you rub his side with your palm, he'll lean into it, and flop over, so you can rub his belly. He did it!! Not 30 mins ago, and he did it for me!! and I balled like a baby! He looked up at me like "what did I do?" I just died.

I just wanted to share. I'm still crying about it

YAY!! Sounds like he is on the mend!!!!!!

Wow, I consider that to be a huge step forward. Praying for continued improvement!