08/18 Tipper is ill need help with syringe feeding

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tipper11

tipper11

Member Since 2011
Tipper came back from the vet yesterday. I brought her there after her appetite dreceased Monday. She seemed lethargic and had gurgling noises in her abdomen. After an exam, bloodwork and urine culture we still do not know what is causing this episode. Perhaps another pancreatitis attack?? Vet not sure. At this time she is not dehydrated and her ketone levels are normal. The only issues with her bloodwork are a little lower potasium level and a slighly higher sodium level. I did not ask for a copy of the bloodwork, my mistake. She is on pepcid, proviable paste and caps and mirtzapine for nausea and appetite. Thinking back I think her erratic BG' levels were the precursor to this attack. The vet said if she is not much improved today she has to be treated at the ER. The vet is worried about fatty liver disease as one of the indicators is very slightly elevated. She must eat today.

I need to know how much to syringe feed, what syringes to use how often etc. The vet gave me a few syringes but not sure they are what I should use.

Thanks
Patty
 
I'm sorry Tipper isn't feeling well. Did they run blood work for a pancreatitis test? Any vomiting - stomach acid or food? Any signs of nausea? (Lip licking, lip smacking, teeth grinding, showing interest in food but just licking or sniffing and walking away)?

If you join the Yahoo Feline Assisted Feeding site there are instructions on assist feeding and videos and lots of tips.

Syringes will end up getting sticky so be careful that they don't stick and you end up shooting a ton of food at once. Get a lot of syringes from the vet. You can order no-ring syringes from places like pippens roost. I liked using 10ml/12ml syringes to feed Maverick. I wouldn't recommend using more than 20mls especially in the beginning.

Prefill syringes with warm food. You can blend the food in a blender with a little water. Suck up the food and turn the syringes over so the air bubbles rise to the top and you can squeeze out the air. I'd recommend syringe feeding a food she doesn't normally eat to avoid food aversion issues. Or at least not her favourite food.

Go slow. Be in a safe secure place for her. And shoot up towards the roof of the mouth from the side of her mouth - NOT towards the back of the throat. You don't want her to aspirate and breath food into her lungs. Go 1cc/1ml at a time. Work up from 20cc feedings up to say 45 if she can handle these larger feedings. Give her time to swallow the food.

Sometimes a cat just needs the engine primed. A few mouthfuls and they will eat on their own.

You can also try finger feeding - putting food into her mouth.
 
Hi Patty,
I'm sorry to hear about Tipper. I don't have experience with syringe feeding, but Karrie (Maverick) is an expert on this subject. I'm going to bump your condo to the top so that she will see it.

Sending healing vines to Tipper,

Ella & Rusty

Wow, I guess I'm late! Karrie is here. Good!!
 
If she isn't eating at all - don't use the mirtz. It has a lot of side effects and should be used on a cat that has some appetite. Vets often prescribe way too high a dose also. If she is eating some on her own it will be helpful but if she is totally inappetant it could back fire.

Mirtz doesn't help with nausea. In fact it could make your cat feel worse - like giving you an appetite stimulant with the flu. Can you ask for a true anti nausea medication - like ondansetron or dolasetron? You can call around and get a 4mg ondansetron pill for 3$ or less at human pharmacies. A dose is 1mg (1/4 of a pill). It will probably help a lot. I can link to an article on nausea in cats written by a renowned vet if you need something for your vet.
 
Wishing for Tipper to make a full and speedy recovery. {{{{{HUGS}}}}} I hope that you can get her to eat today, and I will look for your posts throughout the day. Hang in there. {{{{{HUGS}}}}}
 
Thanks for the help and well wishes.

Karrie, I was able to syringe 4ml of Hills a/d that the vet gave me.
She also had a distended colon with lots of gas so I have to keep her moving today.
She did eat about a 1/4 can of FF with gravy after the syringe feeding( I know gravy is bad but she did eat it on her own)
I have not noticed any diarrhea in several hour and no vomiting.
Thanks
Patty
I will check out the assisted feeding group
 
Hi guys .. no advice here on syringe feeding, but looks like Karrie has your back on this one! I will be keeping tipper in my thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery!
 
I hope Tipper has been doing better as the day progressed. I wouldn't worry about whether or not you feed something with higher carb. It's important that Tipper eats. You can always work the insulin around the food.
 
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