in article , Joe V at
wrote on 7/5/03 6:54 PM:

Please recall my posting on 6/23/03, "Please Help Us...Crystal Hardly
Eats!".
We want to sincerely thank all of you that replied and helped
us...Thank you a lot!

We took Crystal to another vet after quite a bit of research on
various vets in our area. We found a cat specialist who is a Board
Certified Internal Medicne Veterinarian. This vet, also, couldn't find
anything after examining Crystal's blood test and then taking an
X-ray. This vet suggested taking a sample of stomach tissue for
analysis using a spectscopic probe. Only, this procedure would cost
$1,500 and if inconclusive would require exploratory surgery at
another $1,500. Unfortunately, we are too budget pressed to afford
those procedures. So, the Dr. suggested "presumptive" treatement with
chlorambucil and prednisolone which we are doing. Crystal is taking
this medication well with no side effects...
Amazingly, the vet didn't suggest feeding Crystal with a baby feeding
tube (like a minature baster for cooking). But, the advice on-line
suggested force feeding Crystal and using baby food which we started
doing. Because of that, Crystal has gained a pound and no longer is in
a stuper... she is active and curious like a cat is supposed to be.
Another vet we talked to suggested we use Science Diet A/D instead of
baby food as it is more nutritious... so we changed the food.
Our question now is, how do you wean Crystal off the forced feeding?
And of course, we are wondering if the drug therapy will do anything?
We do have a follow up vet visit and maybe that will reveal if the
drugs are working.
Regarding getting Crystal to eat, since she has eaten dry food all her
12 years, she doesn't seem to understand how to eat canned food or
shreaded chicken. She seems to want to eat canned food but gives us
the impresson that she doesn't know how. Maybe we have to teacher how
to do that, too?
Anyway, we are into Crystal's treatment and are doing our best to help
her. Any comments or suggestions you may have from my concerns above
would be appreciated.
Man... is this newsgroup the great! What a fabulous thing for pet
lovers to have. Thank goodness!
Thanks again to all... Joe, Marsha & Crystal

You will want to start trying to offer her the a/d off your finger before
going for syringe feeding. If she seems eager to eat, try that first. If she
won't do it ( try for a few minutes) do the syringe, but I think you will
find that she will eventually do this. She must be hungry, so no syringe
feeding first when you start trying this. Then when she is eating off your
fingers, start putting it on a plate. It may take a little while but don't
wait too long. I'm glad she is doing so much better!!! I will say that I
still put a/d (about a teaspoon) on top of my girls other canned food since
her bout of not eating. Keep us posted!

karen