05/14 Bubba AMPS 272 (INAPPETENT advice?); +5 180; PMPS 180

bubbasmom (GA)

bubbasmom (GA)

Member Since 2022
Yesterday

Bubba was struggling big time with syringe feeding for his breakfast this morning - he kept fussing, but I gave about 30cc of First Mate MC + supplements (restoralax, methylcobalamin & joint powder; beef broth collagen + H2O). He had no desire to eat on his own volition. Didn't want anything to do with his tuna juice either.

Inappetent / nausea medications, I gave:
  • mirtazapine - 2mg approx 14hrs ago (2mg q48hours). He was given 2mg Thursday morning - seemed to have better appetite Thursday day/evening to Friday morning, then back to square one of zero eating Friday afternoon
  • cerenia - 8mg this morning
I skipped ondansetron - his vet Rx oral liquid and it is a nasty strawberry flavour that Bubba gagged out last night. I requested a tablet form from my vet last night - the liquid just isn't working and is disgusting :(

FEEDING ADVICE:
Can anyone suggest any toppers that may stimulate Bubba's appetite? - his usual go-to's of steamed fish, canned fish + juice, PureBites salmon is just not working. Syringe feeding is traumatic for him - I don't want to keep putting him through this. And we keep wasting $$ food.

I will go to the pet store today to check out any other low-carb no garbage filler food alternatives. Bubba hasn't had his usual raw food for a few days now - he just won't touch it and it's a struggle to draw up in the syringe (even after it's all mashed up / liquified).
 
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Toppers - bonita flakes or some of the freeze dried liver treats or heart treats. Post below contains a lot more. Are you warming his food a bit?

Three posts that might have something there for you:
I think it's time your vet need to start digging further into what is causing his inappetance. Maybe a referral to CanadaWest of Boundary Bay, depending where you live. It's been more than a couple day thing now.
 
Wendy&Neko said:
Toppers - bonita flakes or some of the freeze dried liver treats or heart treats. Post below contains a lot more. Are you warming his food a bit?

Three posts that might have something there for you:
I think it's time your vet need to start digging further into what is causing his inappetance. Maybe a referral to CanadaWest of Boundary Bay, depending where you live. It's been more than a couple day thing now.
Click to expand...

Yeah. For this weekend I was hoping more mirtazapine would help, and ondansetron (but that was a disaster).
I'm going to enquire about Bubba's suitability for a dental cleaning ... considering his kidney values, diabetes Dx, etc. He does have quite a bit of plaque & tartar; vet seemed to think it wasn't overly concerning. But I would like to at least try cleaning his teeth, maybe pulling some if that would help. He was grinding when chewing back in Feb, March.
I feel like I've let this inappetence thing go on for too long - he was doing slightly better on Thurs/Fri after the 1st mirtazapine and I was hopeful for improvement... but we are back to nothing. His vet said if the mirtazapine doesn't work to consider that maybe "this is the end"... but Bubba deserves for me to at least try alternatives; I don't want to let my boy down.
I also need to be mindful of $$ as I've already spent nearly $9000 this past year on his various health ailments - 3 big vet bills (constipation last Feb, diabetes last Sep, and UTI Feb), ultrasound last March, and various check-ups, etc.

He hasn't vomited at all throughout this. Passed one small poop yesterday; last poop was Friday May 5. So now I'm worried about constipation if his motility isn't all that great from lack of food intake.
 
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He's complicated enough now, that I think he might be beyond your vet's pay grade. An internal medicine vet might be helpful.

If pooping is an issue, try a little Restoralax (PEG), start with 1/8tsp twice a day, might need to go up double that. It's dose to effect.
 
Bubba is still not eating.

I bought different foods, treats, toppers, etc for my boy; even nutritional yeast and his fave tuna flakes. He still has no interest.
I even bought CBD oil (Creating Brighter Days - just CBD no THC) and Kidney support gold oral liquid to help him.
Bawling my eyes out… I’m doing everything I’m supposed to do and nothing works.
 
That's a long time, no wonder you are worried. :bighug::bighug: Are you getting any calories in him? Without food for too long, you have to worry about hepatic lipidosis. I once fostered a fatty liver kitty from the shelter. If you can't syringe feed him, a feeding tube may be an option. Before that phrase freaks you out, read this article: https://catinfo.org/feeding-tubes-for-cats/
 
Wendy&Neko said:
That's a long time, no wonder you are worried. :bighug::bighug: Are you getting any calories in him? Without food for too long, you have to worry about hepatic lipidosis. I once fostered a fatty liver kitty from the shelter. If you can't syringe feed him, a feeding tube may be an option. Before that phrase freaks you out, read this article: https://catinfo.org/feeding-tubes-for-cats/
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Syringe fed him this morning. Tried to just a short time ago… that one was rough. Poor guy gagged a few times, food flying everywhere. He did get some in though. He licked freeze dried chicken in water packet like 4 times. Then stopped. So it’s like he wants to it. I need that damn ondansetron!
 
Wendy&Neko said:
He's complicated enough now, that I think he might be beyond your vet's pay grade. An internal medicine vet might be helpful.

If pooping is an issue, try a little Restoralax (PEG), start with 1/8tsp twice a day, might need to go up double that. It's dose to effect.
Click to expand...


Thanks Wendy. He gets restoralax 1/4tsp in his food every day since Feb of last year. I’ve been including it in his syringe feedings too.
 
When my cat was inappetant (pancreatitis), I gave her anything and everything, even higher carb stuff (Temptations is called kitty crack for a reason!). The most important thing is they eat. Hepatic lipidosis is nothing to play with. Things that have helped me in the past were Temptations, Fortiflora, and swiping Delectable broths onto her paw so she'd have to lick them. Definitely seeing an internal medicine specialist is also very helpful. Regular vets don't usually seem to take inappetance as seriously as they should.
I hope Bubba gets back to his normal self soon! :bighug:
 
babyg said:
When my cat was inappetant (pancreatitis), I gave her anything and everything, even higher carb stuff (Temptations is called kitty crack for a reason!). The most important thing is they eat. Hepatic lipidosis is nothing to play with. Things that have helped me in the past were Temptations, Fortiflora, and swiping Delectable broths onto her paw so she'd have to lick them. Definitely seeing an internal medicine specialist is also very helpful. Regular vets don't usually seem to take inappetance as seriously as they should.
I hope Bubba gets back to his normal self soon! :bighug:
Click to expand...

thank you for the support. I’ve been looking at any food alternative / whatever the carb may be too… but also mindful of not getting foods that have crappy additives that Bubba had skin allergies to.
Last week his vet said if the mirtazapine doesn’t work then maybe it’s time to say goodbye. I at least want to try to get the nausea under control or even have his teeth cleaned. It’s been going on for too long. Saw some promise last Thursday but it’s nothing now.
 
Bubba ate some pure bites mixed chicken snack - it’s just shredded chicken with water. Not a whole lot but better than nothing.
 
I'm praying for Bubba and sending you lots of hugs :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
I hope you can get the ondonsetran tomorrow. Have you tried baby food
Most cats love the ham. They say Sitter 2nd food on them
image_820da4ba-ba67-4d78-8f42-73596e0cc9b1_700x.jpg
 
I think you can get Fortiflora from either Petsmart or Bosley's, another slightly less junky option. As a side note, you can always use Temptations as HC.
 
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