- Joined
- May 14, 2014
- Messages
- 125
- Purraise
- 96
Monday, May 15 I noticed my 17 year old cat didn't eat his wet food (I only provide wet food) and he is a ravenous eater, loves to eat, though he is not overweight, in fact slightly underweight, as I never overfeed my cats. He didn't show any behavior changes other than this. I thought that was odd and on Tuesday, May 16 I was very busy and didn't notice until I went to bed that he again did not eat. On Wednesday, May 17 he ignored his food so on Thursday, May 18 I took him to the vet.
Blood work showed a very slightly elevated BUN (but lower than the last time he had blood work a few months ago) and a creatinine of 4, so slightly elevated. He had an ultrasound, urinalysis, and was given sub-Q fluids and an appetite stimulant. The stimulant didn't do anything and the next day, Friday, May 19, he received more fluids and a different stimulant. The stimulant encouraged him to eat a few bites but otherwise was ineffective. Over the weekend I gave him sub-Q fluids and famotidine.
Monday, May 22 (today) the ultrasound results show a small nodule on his pancreas and on his liver, but the radiologist didn't think they were cancerous. His intestines showed slight thickening, but nothing that would be so significant that he'd stop eating. Basically, nothing unusual for a 17 year old cat. I could get biopsies done but the nodules are small, 6 mm, and at his age he really can't have major surgery so what would be the point? His renal values decreased and the creatinine is barely above the normal range, so while he probably has mild kidney disease, it wouldn't cause him to stop eating.
He has not really eaten in a week, and that itself will kill him if not addressed. He is now on prednisone, cerenia, two appetite stimulants (alternating each every 12 hours), famotidine, sub-Q fluids every other day. He did not eat this morning and still, as of this evening, shows absolutely no interest in food, like it isn't there. While he looks tired (as expected since he hasn't eaten in a week), he also came up on my bed to cuddle with me, and he purrs when I brush his fur. If you didn't know that he is on a hunger strike or feel how bony he is you wouldn't know how ill he has become.
I'm hoping the medications help by tomorrow, and I ordered some Churu treats to see if he will eat, but if not then I have to decide Wednesday about next steps, which could include a feeding tube, or the decision to let him go.
I am posting this message in case anyone has seen something like this - my cat is on a hunger strike for no apparent reason and at some point, if he isn't there yet, he's going to cross a line where cannot recover and his physiological systems will begin shutting down. I need to help him!
Blood work showed a very slightly elevated BUN (but lower than the last time he had blood work a few months ago) and a creatinine of 4, so slightly elevated. He had an ultrasound, urinalysis, and was given sub-Q fluids and an appetite stimulant. The stimulant didn't do anything and the next day, Friday, May 19, he received more fluids and a different stimulant. The stimulant encouraged him to eat a few bites but otherwise was ineffective. Over the weekend I gave him sub-Q fluids and famotidine.
Monday, May 22 (today) the ultrasound results show a small nodule on his pancreas and on his liver, but the radiologist didn't think they were cancerous. His intestines showed slight thickening, but nothing that would be so significant that he'd stop eating. Basically, nothing unusual for a 17 year old cat. I could get biopsies done but the nodules are small, 6 mm, and at his age he really can't have major surgery so what would be the point? His renal values decreased and the creatinine is barely above the normal range, so while he probably has mild kidney disease, it wouldn't cause him to stop eating.
He has not really eaten in a week, and that itself will kill him if not addressed. He is now on prednisone, cerenia, two appetite stimulants (alternating each every 12 hours), famotidine, sub-Q fluids every other day. He did not eat this morning and still, as of this evening, shows absolutely no interest in food, like it isn't there. While he looks tired (as expected since he hasn't eaten in a week), he also came up on my bed to cuddle with me, and he purrs when I brush his fur. If you didn't know that he is on a hunger strike or feel how bony he is you wouldn't know how ill he has become.
I'm hoping the medications help by tomorrow, and I ordered some Churu treats to see if he will eat, but if not then I have to decide Wednesday about next steps, which could include a feeding tube, or the decision to let him go.
I am posting this message in case anyone has seen something like this - my cat is on a hunger strike for no apparent reason and at some point, if he isn't there yet, he's going to cross a line where cannot recover and his physiological systems will begin shutting down. I need to help him!