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He's starving himself...why?



 
 
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  #1  
Old July 22nd 03, 09:01 AM
JacktheCat Turkey
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Default He's starving himself...why?

Jack is a 15 year-old tuxedo cat that is not eating.

He'll drink water, but he will not eat.

He meows for food and always takes an interest in what we are eating,
but he just smells whatever we put in front of him and walks away.

Canned food, sliced turkey (his favorite) turkey bacon, tuna, even
turkey baby food...nothing.

After four days of this we took him to the vet yesterday. The vet ran
his hands up and down Jack, back and forth. Nothing. No indication
whatsoever of hairballs/intestinal blockages.
All the blood tests are negative. No markers for tumors/cancer found.
Lungs/heart are great for a cat his age. Nose seems to be working
(catnip test). Jack has lost 2.5 lbs since the last vet visit a week ago
(16 lbs. down to 13.5) for a slight case of ear mites given to him by
the other cat Callie (3 yr old Calico). Both cats were prescribed
"Malotic" and a single application of "Revolution". Jack seemed to stop
eating after that first oral application of Malotic. The vet said Jack
has some gingivitis and perscribed "Clinicure" antibiotic.
We are feeding Jack a slurry of wet cat food (Friskies Turkey and
Giblets--his favorite) and water through a syringe. Something like two
teaspoons in the morning and another two at night. He's not happy with
the deal, but he reluctantly goes along.

My feeling is he may be nauseous from the Malotic yet there is no
drooling and there is nothing on the web about possible side effects
that relate to this problem.

Jack is still moving around the house, talking when he wants something
and using the litterbox.

Ideas anyone???

  #2  
Old July 22nd 03, 12:13 PM
Karen Chuplis
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Posts: n/a
Default

in article ,
JacktheCat Turkey at
wrote on 7/22/03 3:01 AM:

Jack is a 15 year-old tuxedo cat that is not eating.

He'll drink water, but he will not eat.

He meows for food and always takes an interest in what we are eating,
but he just smells whatever we put in front of him and walks away.

Canned food, sliced turkey (his favorite) turkey bacon, tuna, even
turkey baby food...nothing.

After four days of this we took him to the vet yesterday. The vet ran
his hands up and down Jack, back and forth. Nothing. No indication
whatsoever of hairballs/intestinal blockages.
All the blood tests are negative. No markers for tumors/cancer found.
Lungs/heart are great for a cat his age. Nose seems to be working
(catnip test). Jack has lost 2.5 lbs since the last vet visit a week ago
(16 lbs. down to 13.5) for a slight case of ear mites given to him by
the other cat Callie (3 yr old Calico). Both cats were prescribed
"Malotic" and a single application of "Revolution". Jack seemed to stop
eating after that first oral application of Malotic. The vet said Jack
has some gingivitis and perscribed "Clinicure" antibiotic.
We are feeding Jack a slurry of wet cat food (Friskies Turkey and
Giblets--his favorite) and water through a syringe. Something like two
teaspoons in the morning and another two at night. He's not happy with
the deal, but he reluctantly goes along.

My feeling is he may be nauseous from the Malotic yet there is no
drooling and there is nothing on the web about possible side effects
that relate to this problem.

Jack is still moving around the house, talking when he wants something
and using the litterbox.

Ideas anyone???

you need to get more into him than that. Your vet should have canned a/d
which works well through a syringe and has more calories. You should try to
get at least 12 ml into him through a couple of feedings. It's very
important or it could get worse and he could develop hypatic Lypidosis.
You've got to be aggressive about this. Not eating can occur over even a
minor thing, but if you aren't gettig the calories into him, it will take a
downward slide. If your vet is not agressive about this, try to find a
feline specialist.

Karen

  #3  
Old July 22nd 03, 12:13 PM
Karen Chuplis
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

in article ,
JacktheCat Turkey at
wrote on 7/22/03 3:01 AM:

Jack is a 15 year-old tuxedo cat that is not eating.

He'll drink water, but he will not eat.

He meows for food and always takes an interest in what we are eating,
but he just smells whatever we put in front of him and walks away.

Canned food, sliced turkey (his favorite) turkey bacon, tuna, even
turkey baby food...nothing.

After four days of this we took him to the vet yesterday. The vet ran
his hands up and down Jack, back and forth. Nothing. No indication
whatsoever of hairballs/intestinal blockages.
All the blood tests are negative. No markers for tumors/cancer found.
Lungs/heart are great for a cat his age. Nose seems to be working
(catnip test). Jack has lost 2.5 lbs since the last vet visit a week ago
(16 lbs. down to 13.5) for a slight case of ear mites given to him by
the other cat Callie (3 yr old Calico). Both cats were prescribed
"Malotic" and a single application of "Revolution". Jack seemed to stop
eating after that first oral application of Malotic. The vet said Jack
has some gingivitis and perscribed "Clinicure" antibiotic.
We are feeding Jack a slurry of wet cat food (Friskies Turkey and
Giblets--his favorite) and water through a syringe. Something like two
teaspoons in the morning and another two at night. He's not happy with
the deal, but he reluctantly goes along.

My feeling is he may be nauseous from the Malotic yet there is no
drooling and there is nothing on the web about possible side effects
that relate to this problem.

Jack is still moving around the house, talking when he wants something
and using the litterbox.

Ideas anyone???

you need to get more into him than that. Your vet should have canned a/d
which works well through a syringe and has more calories. You should try to
get at least 12 ml into him through a couple of feedings. It's very
important or it could get worse and he could develop hypatic Lypidosis.
You've got to be aggressive about this. Not eating can occur over even a
minor thing, but if you aren't gettig the calories into him, it will take a
downward slide. If your vet is not agressive about this, try to find a
feline specialist.

Karen

  #4  
Old July 22nd 03, 01:47 PM
PawsForThought
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

From: Karen Chuplis

JacktheCat Turkey at
wrote on 7/22/03 3:01 AM:

Jack is a 15 year-old tuxedo cat that is not eating.

He'll drink water, but he will not eat.

He meows for food and always takes an interest in what we are eating,
but he just smells whatever we put in front of him and walks away.

Canned food, sliced turkey (his favorite) turkey bacon, tuna, even
turkey baby food...nothing.

After four days of this we took him to the vet yesterday. The vet ran
his hands up and down Jack, back and forth. Nothing. No indication
whatsoever of hairballs/intestinal blockages.
All the blood tests are negative. No markers for tumors/cancer found.
Lungs/heart are great for a cat his age. Nose seems to be working
(catnip test). Jack has lost 2.5 lbs since the last vet visit a week ago
(16 lbs. down to 13.5) for a slight case of ear mites given to him by
the other cat Callie (3 yr old Calico). Both cats were prescribed
"Malotic" and a single application of "Revolution". Jack seemed to stop
eating after that first oral application of Malotic. The vet said Jack
has some gingivitis and perscribed "Clinicure" antibiotic.
We are feeding Jack a slurry of wet cat food (Friskies Turkey and
Giblets--his favorite) and water through a syringe. Something like two
teaspoons in the morning and another two at night. He's not happy with
the deal, but he reluctantly goes along.

My feeling is he may be nauseous from the Malotic yet there is no
drooling and there is nothing on the web about possible side effects
that relate to this problem.

Jack is still moving around the house, talking when he wants something
and using the litterbox.

Ideas anyone???

you need to get more into him than that. Your vet should have canned a/d
which works well through a syringe and has more calories. You should try to
get at least 12 ml into him through a couple of feedings. It's very
important or it could get worse and he could develop hypatic Lypidosis.
You've got to be aggressive about this. Not eating can occur over even a
minor thing, but if you aren't gettig the calories into him, it will take a
downward slide. If your vet is not agressive about this, try to find a
feline specialist.

Karen


I agree with Karen. Once a cat stops eating, it can be hard to get them going
again. I would definitely try some of the A/D which you can get from your vet.
You might also try some KMR (kitten replacement milk) which has calories and
vitamins. Good luck and keep us posted.

Lauren
________
See my cats:
http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe
Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html
http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html
Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm
  #5  
Old July 22nd 03, 01:47 PM
PawsForThought
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

From: Karen Chuplis

JacktheCat Turkey at
wrote on 7/22/03 3:01 AM:

Jack is a 15 year-old tuxedo cat that is not eating.

He'll drink water, but he will not eat.

He meows for food and always takes an interest in what we are eating,
but he just smells whatever we put in front of him and walks away.

Canned food, sliced turkey (his favorite) turkey bacon, tuna, even
turkey baby food...nothing.

After four days of this we took him to the vet yesterday. The vet ran
his hands up and down Jack, back and forth. Nothing. No indication
whatsoever of hairballs/intestinal blockages.
All the blood tests are negative. No markers for tumors/cancer found.
Lungs/heart are great for a cat his age. Nose seems to be working
(catnip test). Jack has lost 2.5 lbs since the last vet visit a week ago
(16 lbs. down to 13.5) for a slight case of ear mites given to him by
the other cat Callie (3 yr old Calico). Both cats were prescribed
"Malotic" and a single application of "Revolution". Jack seemed to stop
eating after that first oral application of Malotic. The vet said Jack
has some gingivitis and perscribed "Clinicure" antibiotic.
We are feeding Jack a slurry of wet cat food (Friskies Turkey and
Giblets--his favorite) and water through a syringe. Something like two
teaspoons in the morning and another two at night. He's not happy with
the deal, but he reluctantly goes along.

My feeling is he may be nauseous from the Malotic yet there is no
drooling and there is nothing on the web about possible side effects
that relate to this problem.

Jack is still moving around the house, talking when he wants something
and using the litterbox.

Ideas anyone???

you need to get more into him than that. Your vet should have canned a/d
which works well through a syringe and has more calories. You should try to
get at least 12 ml into him through a couple of feedings. It's very
important or it could get worse and he could develop hypatic Lypidosis.
You've got to be aggressive about this. Not eating can occur over even a
minor thing, but if you aren't gettig the calories into him, it will take a
downward slide. If your vet is not agressive about this, try to find a
feline specialist.

Karen


I agree with Karen. Once a cat stops eating, it can be hard to get them going
again. I would definitely try some of the A/D which you can get from your vet.
You might also try some KMR (kitten replacement milk) which has calories and
vitamins. Good luck and keep us posted.

Lauren
________
See my cats:
http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe
Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html
http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html
Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm
  #6  
Old July 22nd 03, 02:24 PM
Cheryl
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

"JacktheCat Turkey" wrote in message
...
Jack is a 15 year-old tuxedo cat that is not eating.

He'll drink water, but he will not eat.

He meows for food and always takes an interest in what we are eating,
but he just smells whatever we put in front of him and walks away.


This is eerily familiar to me right down to a preference for Friskies Turkey
and Giblets... my cat went through the same thing as yours; interest in
food, obviously hungry but wouldn't eat anything including any treats that
he couldn't pass on prior to this.

In addition to what Karen and Lauren said, I would suggest asking the vet
about getting Jack some IV fluids because sometimes it can kickstart the
appetite. I can't remember why I had Shadow given a steroid shot back when
he wouldn't eat, probably as an appetite stimulant, but that worked
short-term. It also turned out to be a clue into his problem which is IBD,
but not eating led to hepatic lipidosis which as Karen said is a side effect
of anorexia and since Jack has had some serious weight loss in a short
period of time, he's at prime risk right now. In addition to force feeding
AD (as MUCH as you can get into him) I'd also try Nutrical (comes in a tube
at pet food stores) which you'll probably have to force into him too.

Good luck and Jack needs to get eating! Ask the vet about an appetite
stimulant.

Cheryl


  #7  
Old July 22nd 03, 02:24 PM
Cheryl
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

"JacktheCat Turkey" wrote in message
...
Jack is a 15 year-old tuxedo cat that is not eating.

He'll drink water, but he will not eat.

He meows for food and always takes an interest in what we are eating,
but he just smells whatever we put in front of him and walks away.


This is eerily familiar to me right down to a preference for Friskies Turkey
and Giblets... my cat went through the same thing as yours; interest in
food, obviously hungry but wouldn't eat anything including any treats that
he couldn't pass on prior to this.

In addition to what Karen and Lauren said, I would suggest asking the vet
about getting Jack some IV fluids because sometimes it can kickstart the
appetite. I can't remember why I had Shadow given a steroid shot back when
he wouldn't eat, probably as an appetite stimulant, but that worked
short-term. It also turned out to be a clue into his problem which is IBD,
but not eating led to hepatic lipidosis which as Karen said is a side effect
of anorexia and since Jack has had some serious weight loss in a short
period of time, he's at prime risk right now. In addition to force feeding
AD (as MUCH as you can get into him) I'd also try Nutrical (comes in a tube
at pet food stores) which you'll probably have to force into him too.

Good luck and Jack needs to get eating! Ask the vet about an appetite
stimulant.

Cheryl


  #10  
Old July 23rd 03, 02:05 AM
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Karen wrote:
Your vet should have canned a/d which
works well through a syringe and has
more calories. You should try to get at
least 12 ml into him through a couple of
feedings.


12 mls through a couple of feedings is not nearly enough, and people
often mistake the amount that fits into the large syringes for a good
amount because it looks like more than it really is. It's better to
measure the amount of food the cat requires *before* feeding and use the
syringe as the mode of feeding rather than the measurement. The OP
should try to get *at least* one 6 oz can of food into the cat each day
to avoid having the cat develop hepatic lipidosis. Depending on the
consistency of the food it can take anywhere from 12 to 15 full 12 ml
syringes to equal this amount. I use a Braun hand blender and puree a 6
oz can all at once and use it all over the course of one day. Two jars
of chicken or turkey baby food is about equal to that amount as well.

Megan



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way."

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