Hi,
My kitten Zoey has been doing better in the last day or so. She was apparently really bad yesterday afternoon (I had some people check on her throughout the day while I was at work) but by the time I got home, she was looking and walking better than I've seen since our ordeal (probable dry FIP) started over a week ago. I was all ready to call the vet to put her to sleep when I got home last night, but she's even better this morning than she was last night. She is starting to eat more on her own (wet food) and responds fine even when we have to force feed her (she's such a slow eater...she gets tired of eating before she has enough). However, she still isn't drinking much. I have spoken to the vet and she had IV fluids last week and Sub-Q fluids on Monday. I want to keep her hydrated, but she is fighting me tooth and nails (literally) when I try to syringe it in. I bought her a fountain, and she drank from it a bit at first, but doesn't have much interest now. I've tried mixing it with a little cat milk and feeding the cat milk on its own, but she's still fighting it. I also tried some chicken broth, although I should probably have a second go at that. We'll likely double team her tonight - wrap her in a blanket and shoot it in.
Does anyone have any "tricks" that have gotten their cat to take water? As, I said, I've spoken to my vet...her hydration is fine now (after the SUb Q)...but I would like to keep her hydrated until her vet appointment on Monday. I don't want her to get dehydrated and have to go back early. 5 trips to the vet in just over a week and all the poking and proding has definitely run its toll on her...I'd like to give her a break if possible.
Thanks for any suggestions.
My kitten Zoey has been doing better in the last day or so. She was apparently really bad yesterday afternoon (I had some people check on her throughout the day while I was at work) but by the time I got home, she was looking and walking better than I've seen since our ordeal (probable dry FIP) started over a week ago. I was all ready to call the vet to put her to sleep when I got home last night, but she's even better this morning than she was last night. She is starting to eat more on her own (wet food) and responds fine even when we have to force feed her (she's such a slow eater...she gets tired of eating before she has enough). However, she still isn't drinking much. I have spoken to the vet and she had IV fluids last week and Sub-Q fluids on Monday. I want to keep her hydrated, but she is fighting me tooth and nails (literally) when I try to syringe it in. I bought her a fountain, and she drank from it a bit at first, but doesn't have much interest now. I've tried mixing it with a little cat milk and feeding the cat milk on its own, but she's still fighting it. I also tried some chicken broth, although I should probably have a second go at that. We'll likely double team her tonight - wrap her in a blanket and shoot it in.
Does anyone have any "tricks" that have gotten their cat to take water? As, I said, I've spoken to my vet...her hydration is fine now (after the SUb Q)...but I would like to keep her hydrated until her vet appointment on Monday. I don't want her to get dehydrated and have to go back early. 5 trips to the vet in just over a week and all the poking and proding has definitely run its toll on her...I'd like to give her a break if possible.
Thanks for any suggestions.