Loss of Appetite
 

Three days ago my cat stopped eating after vomiting. After watching
her behavior which seemed to indicate that she was constipated, I
finally took her to the vet this morning. Turns out she had a bowel
obstruction (not megacolon, just a fecal ball that she just couldn't
pass). The vet removed it manually (with anesthesia) since it wouldn't
pass with an enema. This whole time she's still been drinking water,
and the doctor said there's no signs of liver disease from the lack of
eating (yellowing eyes, swollen liver, etc).

I was just wondering, she's been home now for half a day (about 8
hours) and she still hasn't eaten anything. When should I start to
worry and/or manually try to feed her? She still drinks, but isn't
even enticed by her favorite foods. The vet told me she might be
groggy from the anesthesia and/or still sensitive around her bowels/
butt area for a while, but I forgot to ask how long that means she
might not be interested in eating.

Also, after leaving the vet, I began to wonder how he was sure that
the fecal ball (already past the pelvic bone) was the problem...what
if there is something wrong with her colon that she couldn't push it
out, or something like that? What if the fecal matter was just in her
colon but doesn't have anything to do with anything - or does it not
usually stay there for any lengthy amount of time? Her temperature was
normal and she doesn't show any other obvious symptoms. And they did
bloodwork, but that won't come back until tomorrow, and the vet
expects that to be normal.

Any help/suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks.

Loss of Appetite
 

On Tue, 02 Oct 2007 21:33:06 -0700, wrote:


I was just wondering, she's been home now for half a day (about 8
hours) and she still hasn't eaten anything. When should I start to
worry and/or manually try to feed her? She still drinks, but isn't
even enticed by her favorite foods. The vet told me she might be
groggy from the anesthesia and/or still sensitive around her bowels/
butt area for a while, but I forgot to ask how long that means she
might not be interested in eating.



You can try heating some food or favorite treats so that the smell is
stronger. You can try putting some on ger paw to see if she will lick
it off.

When my cat was sick and not eating well, I would take some canned cat
food, add water, mush it up pretty good, and then use an eye dropper
to get it in. Once they get a taste of food, it tends to stimulate
thee appetite and get them eating again.

You can also get appetite stimulants from the vet.

Loss of Appetite
 

I was just wondering, she's been home now for half a day (about 8
hours) and she still hasn't eaten anything. When should I start to
worry and/or manually try to feed her? She still drinks, but isn't
even enticed by her favorite foods. The vet told me she might be
groggy from the anesthesia and/or still sensitive around her bowels/
butt area for a while, but I forgot to ask how long that means she
might not be interested in eating.

If she's not eating within the next 6-8 hours, please either bring her
back to the vet or forcefeed her! You don't want to go much longer
without any food. First, try enticing her with things like chicken or
turkey baby food without onion or Fancy Feast fish flavors, warmed
slightly. Does she like tuna? It is NOT a good idea to feed tuna
regularly, but a taste might stimulate her appetite.

For force feeding, I've used Wellness canned food, pureed in the
blender with water. Put this in a needle-less syringe. There's a spot
right behind the canine tooth that has a natural gap. Gently insert
the syringe. SLOWLY give her food. Don't just squirt it in her mouth--
she might aspirate it and cause more problems. I usually force feed in
a bathroom, so I can close the door and keep kitty contained in a
quiet place. You may need to do this several times per day.

Long term, your cat will need a high-quality, preferably canned diet
for good health. I like Wellness canned (there are several grain free
flavors), Nature's Variety canned or raw, or Innova Evo. Please don't
feed her dry food. Her colon has been traumatized and she needs the
liquid intake to keep things moving.

Email me if you have questions.

Loss of Appetite
 

On 3 Oct, 14:21, "Rene S." wrote:
I was just wondering, she's been home now for half a day (about 8
hours) and she still hasn't eaten anything. When should I start to
worry and/or manually try to feed her? She still drinks, but isn't
even enticed by her favorite foods. The vet told me she might be
groggy from the anesthesia and/or still sensitive around her bowels/
butt area for a while, but I forgot to ask how long that means she
might not be interested in eating.

If she's not eating within the next 6-8 hours, please either bring her
back to the vet or forcefeed her! You don't want to go much longer
without any food. First, try enticing her with things like chicken or
turkey baby food without onion or Fancy Feast fish flavors, warmed
slightly. Does she like tuna? It is NOT a good idea to feed tuna
regularly, but a taste might stimulate her appetite.

For force feeding, I've used Wellness canned food, pureed in the
blender with water. Put this in a needle-less syringe. There's a spot
right behind the canine tooth that has a natural gap. Gently insert
the syringe. SLOWLY give her food. Don't just squirt it in her mouth--
she might aspirate it and cause more problems. I usually force feed in
a bathroom, so I can close the door and keep kitty contained in a
quiet place. You may need to do this several times per day.

Long term, your cat will need a high-quality, preferably canned diet
for good health. I like Wellness canned (there are several grain free
flavors), Nature's Variety canned or raw, or Innova Evo. Please don't
feed her dry food. Her colon has been traumatized and she needs the
liquid intake to keep things moving.

Email me if you have questions.

This information was really helpful Rene, Thank you.
Sheelagh "o"