Input Needed 'Cause Cat's Not Eating [FINAL UPDATE]
Posted by humboldt_honey on Apr 23, 2008 · Member since Feb 2007 · 12529 posts
I have a vet appointment for Friday, but in the meantime I want to tempt Cat to eat. He's lost 2 to 3 pounds in the last month or so. What are your cats' favorite foods. I'd love to hear about their juicy favorites, because he still drinks things, but he's not eating.
<---------- :cat2: :)>>>
I'm going to continue to give him subcutaneous fluids once he gets home. Do any of you have experience with that? Do they leave something in place on him that I plug the drip into, or do I stick him each time?
You stick him each time. Here's some info on doing it at home from a cite about cats with kidney failure: http://www.felinecrf.com/managb.htm
So sorry to hear about Cat. Keep us updated and know that both of you are in our thoughts :-*
I'm so sorry HH--I'm thinking of you and Cat--all my love--let me know if there is anything I can do!
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee248/adriandomenico/single-red-rose130.png
I'm going to continue to give him subcutaneous fluids once he gets home. Do any of you have experience with that? Do they leave something in place on him that I plug the drip into, or do I stick him each time?
Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help.
May I send you and Cat anything?
You all are totally awesome people. :)
I have had to do it to a cat and a dog. For months. Unfortunately, you have to stick them each time. I had to do it on my own and because it had to be done, I did it. I hated doing it. It was much easier on Boobie my cat than Willie my dog. Reason being, cats have more loose skin. It will be much easier with two people.
Stay calm and you will do fine!
On a funny note although not funny at the time, I hung the bag on a bird toy hanger on top of my parrots cage. All of a sudden fluid was going everywhere. Biko had put his beak threw the cage and bit a huge hole in the line. I just started crying at the time. Now I find some humour in it.
My thoughts and prayers are going out to you and 'your baby'.
Hugs
Di
(((((HH & Cat)))))
My babies and I will keep you in our thoughts and our hearts. Sending you lots of love from Texas. :)>>>
Ohhh, poor Cat baby! :'( I hope he is feeling better soon. I also hope you are feeling better soon. You must be scared. I'm glad you took the weight loss seriously and brought him to the vets. We had a cat once who was terminal with Kidney damage (from poisoning) and we brought him home with the subcut drip. It had to be removed every so often. We were set up to do more drips but he passed peacefully in his sleep, so we did not. Unfortunately, that was all we could do about the poisoning, but I think you have lots of options for Cat and I'm sure he will be strong and healthy again before you know it My only real experience with personally giving injections was for goat vaccines. It wasn't so bad, I realized we are a lot more scared of it hurting the animals than they are. They hardly seemed to notice or care. So hopefully you wont have too hard a time with those either! Healing thoughts his way! And don't be afraid to let yourself have a good cry. Cats seem to understand that even though humans are annoying, we seem to "need" to do such things.
:flower2: :cat2: :flower2:
*hugs HH & Cat* All my best thoughts to you both.
I called the vet. He's eating and drinking and going potty - and he's coming home tomorrow! I'm as proud as if he were a newborn.
Good, good news!!!!
That's great news! I hope he pulls through this.
That's wonderful that he is feeling better. I sending happy thoughts to you both while you learn to manage his diagnosis. My sister has an FIV+ kitty and they've made a wonderful life together for many years. Good luck to you both.
Liz
They can't fix it, but they can manage it.
He wasn't well enough to come home today. He ate for the last two days, but didn't eat today, so they're keeping him for another day. I fly to Sacramento to give a presentation tomorrow and don't get back until after closing time on Thursday, so I now can't pick him up until Friday. I wanted to pick him up Friday morning, but I had to schedule an appointment so I could learn how to administer subcutaneous fluids and they don't have a slot until 4 PM. It feels like forever from now.
Awwwww, I'm so sorry hh. I know how difficult it must be. :'( I wish there was something I could do.
I am so sorry about Cat and my heart truly goes out to you. I know how hard it is to have a sick baby. He will be in my thoughts and prayers as will you. There have been so many advances in vet medicine and you were smart to get him in when you did, so they can begin treatment. He's lucky to have such a loving parent.((((hugs)))) Please give him some gentle lovies for me when you get to bring him home. If I can help, please let me know. Hang in there!
I'm a latecomer to this thread -- hugs, H_H.
There is a nutrient-rich gel you can feed to an ailing cat to get their energy up. The brand I used was NutraCal -- it's like fish-oil, syrup, and vitamins all rolled into one. It might give Cat enough energy to bother to eat something more effortful; that's what it did for Pepe. Getting Cat to lick it off a spoon might be an exercise in patience, but they seem not to loathe the flavor.
You might consider cooking plain chicken breast or fish and cutting it up fine. Sometimes that will tempt a finicky cat. Of course, then you'll have it around in the house if Cat refuses it; just resolve to throw it out if you must, and don't fret.
I also tried a homemade nutrient glop that Pepe ate for a little while, but she decided it was gross at some point and never touched it again. It makes approximately enough to feed an army of cats. It's normally used for starved kittens. http://www.hdw-inc.com/glop.htm
i know you are in sac now, or going soon... but i am glad to ear cat seems like he is doing better!
sounds like he wants to hang in there.
Thanks. The vet called me at work. Cat won't even keep forced fed food down. His liver is functioning better, but he may have picked up an infection, which isn't good because he's FIV, so they're giving him antibiotics. They can't be certain he'll be alive when I can see him again on Friday. He'll have been at the vet's since last Saturday. I haven't visited him because I haven't wanted to see him and then have him watch me leave without him. I hope he doesn't die thinking I've abandoned him.
omg that just made me cry, too.
i'm sooo sorry, hh.
Oh I'm so sorry HH. I do hope he pulls through this and I do hope you get to see him soon. :'(
oh HH! I'm so sorry you had to hear that. I'm thinking of you so hard right now. Poor Cat. Maybe you can bring a blanket to him that smells like home and even if you do not want to bring it to him personally because you don't want him to see you go, he will feel comforted by you.
The other option, are you able to cancel your conference at this point? Like, if you were suddenly sick, they would not expect you to go, would they? Maybe you could stay home with Cat for a bit? I don't know, I am so sorry you are in this position. Hugs to both of you!
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