Two weeks ago I took my two indoor 11-year-old cats, Sidney and Claire, to the vet for their annual exam, senior bloodwork, and urinalysis. Everything came back healthy. They were happy, energetic, normal weight, with good appetites. They have eaten Merrick Purrfect Bistro canned food for years.
Two days after the vet visit, Claire started acting unwell (reduced appetite, showing signs of pain, squinting, not interested in normal activities, sleeping more than usual). These symptoms would improve then come back randomly over the next several days. I took Claire back to the vet for an urgent care visit and they found nothing wrong with her, so we assumed they caught a virus while at the clinic.
Sidney also developed the same symptoms a couple days after Claire, only he refused to eat entirely and acted nauseous. We syringe fed him one day. The vet prescribed Cerenia and Mirtazapine. The Mirtazapine made him eat, but it also made him really depressed and restless, so we only gave it to him twice.
Over the course of a week, both cats improved and seemed happy again, but neither were eating the same amount as prior to being sick. They no longer wanted to eat the Merrick canned food that they previously enjoyed. I was so worried that reduced calories over a week would cause fatty liver problems, so I tried every other brand of canned food I could find, high quality and low quality. They hated most of them. They tolerated Fancy Feast pate somewhat.
Finally, I broke down on Saturday and bought some dry kibble from the grocery store, Purina ONE Sensitive Stomach, and they both loved it. Finally they were getting sufficient calories and their energy levels returned and I was so relieved. Claire returned to normal and even started voluntarily eating the Merrick canned food again. I know I shouldn't have changed their diet so suddenly, but it felt important to get them eating enough calories.
Then yesterday, Tuesday, Sidney got diarrhea. Four times. Liquid diarrhea. He vomited up the dry food he had for lunch. He has acted nauseated ever since. I gave him Cerenia. He shows interest in food, but will only eat a bite or two. He drinks water just fine. No diarrhea or vomiting today (Wednesday). So far today he has eaten about 65 calories, and I can probably get him to eat another 60 this evening. He acts fairly normal otherwise and played with his toy a bit and he's napping now, but I'm so worried he's not getting enough calories! 120 calories isn't much for a 12 lb cat, right? Is this fatty liver danger zone??? This is what keeps me awake at night.
(Monday he had 240 to 260 calories because he was eating the dry food, but I can't give him the dry food anymore due to the diarrhea reaction.)
The vet has been of minimal help. They are so swamped with clients, you can't talk to them on the phone and you can't even get an appointment until September. You can ask for an urgent care appointment, and if they agree, you have to drop your cat off and wait 3-6 hours for him to be seen. All vets in our area are incredibly busy due to the pandemic and most aren't accepting new clients because of this, so please don't just say "take him to another vet." It's not as easy as that.
My cats will NOT eat the recommended bland diet of chicken and rice, even on their best days. They are incredibly picky in general, and this illness has made them 10x more picky. I've also tried tuna, Fortaflora, and meat baby food and they aren't interested at all. They will sometimes eat Temptation Treats.
Two days after the vet visit, Claire started acting unwell (reduced appetite, showing signs of pain, squinting, not interested in normal activities, sleeping more than usual). These symptoms would improve then come back randomly over the next several days. I took Claire back to the vet for an urgent care visit and they found nothing wrong with her, so we assumed they caught a virus while at the clinic.
Sidney also developed the same symptoms a couple days after Claire, only he refused to eat entirely and acted nauseous. We syringe fed him one day. The vet prescribed Cerenia and Mirtazapine. The Mirtazapine made him eat, but it also made him really depressed and restless, so we only gave it to him twice.
Over the course of a week, both cats improved and seemed happy again, but neither were eating the same amount as prior to being sick. They no longer wanted to eat the Merrick canned food that they previously enjoyed. I was so worried that reduced calories over a week would cause fatty liver problems, so I tried every other brand of canned food I could find, high quality and low quality. They hated most of them. They tolerated Fancy Feast pate somewhat.
Finally, I broke down on Saturday and bought some dry kibble from the grocery store, Purina ONE Sensitive Stomach, and they both loved it. Finally they were getting sufficient calories and their energy levels returned and I was so relieved. Claire returned to normal and even started voluntarily eating the Merrick canned food again. I know I shouldn't have changed their diet so suddenly, but it felt important to get them eating enough calories.
Then yesterday, Tuesday, Sidney got diarrhea. Four times. Liquid diarrhea. He vomited up the dry food he had for lunch. He has acted nauseated ever since. I gave him Cerenia. He shows interest in food, but will only eat a bite or two. He drinks water just fine. No diarrhea or vomiting today (Wednesday). So far today he has eaten about 65 calories, and I can probably get him to eat another 60 this evening. He acts fairly normal otherwise and played with his toy a bit and he's napping now, but I'm so worried he's not getting enough calories! 120 calories isn't much for a 12 lb cat, right? Is this fatty liver danger zone??? This is what keeps me awake at night.
(Monday he had 240 to 260 calories because he was eating the dry food, but I can't give him the dry food anymore due to the diarrhea reaction.)
The vet has been of minimal help. They are so swamped with clients, you can't talk to them on the phone and you can't even get an appointment until September. You can ask for an urgent care appointment, and if they agree, you have to drop your cat off and wait 3-6 hours for him to be seen. All vets in our area are incredibly busy due to the pandemic and most aren't accepting new clients because of this, so please don't just say "take him to another vet." It's not as easy as that.
My cats will NOT eat the recommended bland diet of chicken and rice, even on their best days. They are incredibly picky in general, and this illness has made them 10x more picky. I've also tried tuna, Fortaflora, and meat baby food and they aren't interested at all. They will sometimes eat Temptation Treats.
