? 1/15 Pudge AMPS * now.. he won’t/can’t eat.

[kitten68]

1/14/26 Prev Thread Pudgles

I really have little fight left. Its been one thing after another the past few years.. plus all the personal things and severe stress ive had to deal with..

He’s been eating beautifully and so good this while time.. got a better handle on things.. now he won’t/can’t eat. NOW he can’t/won’t eat? Now to get another pill for that? Now that i have medicine.. something we can try.. he can’t eat? My fight is just gone. Just what quality of life is this? one thing.. then another thing.. and he cant see too good anymore. so play is also hard too. And now…. its like, oh we have medicine now? Of course now he has trouble eating.. of course. and help comes too late sometimes.. or not at all. i feel sometimes like im forcing it.. all the time.. im exhausted. im by myself dealing w all of this.

I shouldve started the medicine when we got home yesterday.. but im not thinking my best and the girl said to do it at night…… and i was stressed w this cuz i wanted to monitor. Obviously. its once a day so i couldve started it yesterday around noon when we got home!!!…….. why the she said at night i have no idea. It wasnt that late in the damn day. i dont know how to juggle all of this. the stress at this point is exponential. doing things as fast as i can.. because this went unaddressed so long its crunch time now. and its not enough.

I dont know what to do.. ive just had it.

 

[Staci & Ivy]

1/14/26 Prev Thread Pudgles

I really have little fight left. Its been one thing after another the past few years.. plus all the personal things and severe stress ive had to deal with..

He’s been eating beautifully and so good this while time.. got a better handle on things.. now he won’t/can’t eat. NOW he can’t/won’t eat? Now to get another pill for that? Now that i have medicine.. something we can try.. he can’t eat? My fight is just gone. Just what quality of life is this? one thing.. then another thing.. and he cant see too good anymore. so play is also hard too. And now…. its like, oh we have medicine now? Of course now he has trouble eating.. of course. and help comes too late sometimes.. or not at all. i feel sometimes like im forcing it.. all the time.. im exhausted. im by myself dealing w all of this.

I shouldve started the medicine when we got home yesterday.. but im not thinking my best and the girl said to do it at night…… and i was stressed w this cuz i wanted to monitor. Obviously. its once a day so i couldve started it yesterday around noon when we got home!!!…….. why the she said at night i have no idea. It wasnt that late in the damn day. i dont know how to juggle all of this. the stress at this point is exponential. doing things as fast as i can.. because this went unaddressed so long its crunch time now. and its not enough.

I dont know what to do.. ive just had it.

Can you tell why he won’t or can’t eat?
Breathe. I know you’re overwhelmed
Can you put some food on your finger?
Can you put on a spoon?
Or use a syringe (no needle of course)

 

[kitten68]

Can you tell why he won’t or can’t eat?
Breathe. I know you’re overwhelmed
Can you put some food on your finger?
Can you put on a spoon?
Or use a syringe (no needle of course)

.. no.. he just wont eat much. Started last night. why i skipped.. he walks around sometimes confused too now. Im trying to get him to eat..i hate all of this.

 

[kitten68]

Can you tell why he won’t or can’t eat?
Breathe. I know you’re overwhelmed
Can you put some food on your finger?
Can you put on a spoon?
Or use a syringe (no needle of course)

he finally ate.. and it came back up.

 

[kitten68]

my cat is sick and idk what to do.. finally got him to eat, it came back up….. think was directed to give him some tablet Cerenia.. which we have.. then see if he can eat.. how are we gonna start his meds now?.. its also getting late for any insulin…. Im lost. Doctor doesnt open til 9….

 

[kitten68]

my cat wants to eat.. just is having a hard time ~ gave him some Cerenia tablet.. says 1/2.. hidden in a treat w some other treats in the dish.. and he wanted to eat the rest of them. .. but not sure if nauseous.. or too much water.. but considering he didnt eat earlier when given.. maybe will help today. this is SO much.. everyone who has to deal w multiple things, my heart really goes out.. we’re not having a fun time.

 

[kitten68]

so.. called on Zenequin, if can give.. advised yes. will see if he eats, then will try giving.. (he missed another insulin dose.. ..)

 

[squeem3]

Leroy deals with multiple health issues too but he's relatively ok at the moment. It does stink to deal with a lot and see the cat not feeling well. Lots of FDMB members have been there at one point. Caregiver burnout is real. Please take care of yourself

 

[Staci & Ivy]

my cat is sick and idk what to do.. finally got him to eat, it came back up….. think was directed to give him some tablet Cerenia.. which we have.. then see if he can eat.. how are we gonna start his meds now?.. its also getting late for any insulin…. Im lost. Doctor doesnt open til 9….

It’s good you gave the Cerenia.
Do you also have ondansetron (zofran)? It’s a human mad so you can get it at any nearby pharmacy easily if you need to. Of course it’s prescription. Prescriptions for the vet would need to call it in, if you don’t have it.
For many cats, it’s very good for nausea and the Cerenia is good for vomiting.

Did you talk to the vet? Sorry, I had to go out for a little bit, but I’m back home.

Seems like something is bothering his tummy.

Do you have any transdermal mirtazapine as an appetite stimulant?

 

[kitten68]

Leroy deals with multiple health issues too but he's relatively ok at the moment. It does stink to deal with a lot and see the cat not feeling well. Lots of FDMB members have been there at one point. Caregiver burnout is real. Please take care of yourself

tysm….. this has been so hard. esp since we dont have much support in person.. phew the Cerenia seems to have helped.. hes eating now. was able to give the antibiotic! sweet little Leroy

 

[Staci & Ivy]

tysm….. this has been so hard. esp since we dont have much support in person.. phew the Cerenia seems to have helped.. hes eating now. was able to give the antibiotic!

Yay!!! And you are giving a probiotic regularly, correct? (to also help his tummy combat the antibiotics)

 

[kitten68]

It’s good you gave the Cerenia.
Do you also have ondansetron (zofran)? It’s a human mad so you can get it at any nearby pharmacy easily if you need to. Of course it’s prescription. Prescriptions for the vet would need to call it in, if you don’t have it.
For many cats, it’s very good for nausea and the Cerenia is good for vomiting.

Did you talk to the vet? Sorry, I had to go out for a little bit, but I’m back home.

Seems like something is bothering his tummy.

Do you have any transdermal mirtazapine as an appetite stimulant?

i didnt know what else to do. he eats excellently and always wants to eat.. i noticed last night he wouldnt eat sometimes. something is.. maybe things have built up i guess now… idk.. maybe its the infection? feel fortunate he held out this long, cuz hes tough. i been screaming about this…. screaming again. SIGH. i will request the Zofran, too.. and good to know the difference. (i guess u give Zofran if you notice off food, then Cerenia if some vomiting happens?) ive heard it can be quite helpful. Lol i call the vets distraught the Cerenia didnt seem to be helping, like he took it and still wont eat.. desk goes, “idk wut youre asking me.” Staci………… i says, he still wont eat what do i do?! idk.. Vet in surgery.. ANYWAY got him to eat.. and got him to take the Zenequin!! i also set up the fluids near the bed… fluid went everywhere. but got it together.. ready. hes feeling like garabge im sure too cause of that…. needs fluids. im gonna shoot for 50 mL today.. only have the harpoons. i will see if he lets me……. i really am looking forward to the fluids cause theyll help him feel better and hydration bypasses the stomach. there was a lot of water in his food that came back..

he also missed his insulin (2 cycles now…..) but im juggling too much and time got away. .. god knows w that. but i do feel relief. he ate.. he got his meds. now.. we see how he does. going to try to do some regular things i guess.. im distraught about his insulin tho.. but in trying to stabilize all this?? idk.

 

[kitten68]

Yay!!! And you are giving a probiotic regularly, correct? (to also help his tummy combat the antibiotics)

yayy.. and sure am too!!! i even upped it some in anticipation of this..

 

[kitten68]

Just gave fluids.. a little over 25 mL.. i couldve done more but got scared. he did so good!! growled the whole time tho.. and the needle hurts.. all i got are 18 gauge.. used the bottom of his carrier like a basket.

 

[kitten68]

Buying these..
Terumo Needles Ultra Thin Wall 20 Gauge 1 inch Box of 100

@Mary & Jude @Staci & Ivy @Tyleete @Lara & Luciole (Lu) sorry i missed anyone who shared on fluids.. ..)

 

[Lara & Luciole (Lu)]

I'm wishing you the best, kitten68!

I give fluids using a syringe and butterfly, with a small, fine-gauge needle, and a syringe that lets me measure the correct amount of fluids.

I've stayed out of this conversation because I don't give fluids directly from the bag, using a large needle. I haven't wanted to offend anyone, so I didn't comment.

 

[Jessica & Indy]

I used to have to give fluids to my grey tabby with CKD a couple of years ago. Felt bad about the big needle but those new needles should hopefully help.

Don't stress yourself out too much over the couple of missed insulin doses. Pudge has a lot going on right now and so do you. I know I kick myself over a skipped dose but in the end Indy is still okay. When he wasn't able to keep his food down I was ordered by the vet to skip insulin for the day.

Take a few deep breaths. You got this.

 

[Staci & Ivy]

Just gave fluids.. a little over 25 mL.. i couldve done more but got scared. he did so good!! growled the whole time tho.. and the needle hurts.. all i got are 18 gauge.. used the bottom of his carrier like a basket.

He's such a good boy with such a good mama

 

[Staci & Ivy]

yayy.. and sure am too!!! i even upped it some in anticipation of this..

I knew you were on top of that!

 

[Staci & Ivy]

i didnt know what else to do. he eats excellently and always wants to eat.. i noticed last night he wouldnt eat sometimes. something is.. maybe things have built up i guess now… idk.. maybe its the infection? feel fortunate he held out this long, cuz hes tough. i been screaming about this…. screaming again. SIGH. i will request the Zofran, too.. and good to know the difference. (i guess u give Zofran if you notice off food, then Cerenia if some vomiting happens?) ive heard it can be quite helpful. Lol i call the vets distraught the Cerenia didnt seem to be helping, like he took it and still wont eat.. desk goes, “idk wut youre asking me.” Staci………… i says, he still wont eat what do i do?! idk.. Vet in surgery.. ANYWAY got him to eat.. and got him to take the Zenequin!! i also set up the fluids near the bed… fluid went everywhere. but got it together.. ready. hes feeling like garabge im sure too cause of that…. needs fluids. im gonna shoot for 50 mL today.. only have the harpoons. i will see if he lets me……. i really am looking forward to the fluids cause theyll help him feel better and hydration bypasses the stomach. there was a lot of water in his food that came back..

he also missed his insulin (2 cycles now…..) but im juggling too much and time got away. .. god knows w that. but i do feel relief. he ate.. he got his meds. now.. we see how he does. going to try to do some regular things i guess.. im distraught about his insulin tho.. but in trying to stabilize all this?? idk.

All of these therapies should help Pudge feel better. And it's best to have these meds in the house, so when you need them, you don't have to go scrambling.
You can always pop on here and everyone is so helpful and has used these meds, so they can guide you with them.

I am glad the fluids went well, it will get easier every time (says the mama who hasn't done it in 18 years and is terrified my time is coming).
But Pudge is a very good boy and he trusts you completely.

You've got this!! And your sweet boy should feel better. Sending more vines for him (and you, too!)

 

[kitten68]

I'm wishing you the best, kitten68!

I give fluids using a syringe and butterfly, with a small, fine-gauge needle, and a syringe that lets me measure the correct amount of fluids.

I've stayed out of this conversation because I don't give fluids directly from the bag, using a large needle. I haven't wanted to offend anyone, so I didn't comment.

ty for saying!!! im trying it all.. rn its from an iv set .. went ok! needles hurt him tho.

 

[kitten68]

I used to have to give fluids to my grey tabby with CKD a couple of years ago. Felt bad about the big needle but those new needles should hopefully help.

Don't stress yourself out too much over the couple of missed insulin doses. Pudge has a lot going on right now and so do you. I know I kick myself over a skipped dose but in the end Indy is still okay. When he wasn't able to keep his food down I was ordered by the vet to skip insulin for the day.

Take a few deep breaths. You got this.

tysm!!….. i checked his number.. was pretty ok!! doing my best. been crying a lot today..

 

[kitten68]

I knew you were on top of that!

i been trying.. im so discouraged.

 

[kitten68]

All of these therapies should help Pudge feel better. And it's best to have these meds in the house, so when you need them, you don't have to go scrambling.
You can always pop on here and everyone is so helpful and has used these meds, so they can guide you with them.

I am glad the fluids went well, it will get easier every time (says the mama who hasn't done it in 18 years and is terrified my time is coming).
But Pudge is a very good boy and he trusts you completely.

You've got this!! And your sweet boy should feel better. Sending more vines for him (and you, too!)

i appreciate this sm… its been so hard.. idk what happened! hes been ok up to last night…. Its so weird. .. hes ok.. but not ok. and wasnt as bad!! just did it.. .. he wont eat good tho still.. eats a little.. stops. hoping he’ll eat dinner.. maybe bit more dehydrated.. i dont think he can see good either all of a sudden..

I know youll pick it back up sooo easy

 

[Staci & Ivy]

i been trying.. im so discouraged.

I know you are. You can do it. You’re strong and doing so good for him. Just hang on, one day at a time

 

[Staci & Ivy]

i appreciate this sm… its been so hard.. idk what happened! hes been ok up to last night…. Its so weird. .. hes ok.. but not ok. and wasnt as bad!! just did it.. .. he wont eat good tho still.. eats a little.. stops. hoping he’ll eat dinner.. maybe bit more dehydrated.. i dont think he can see good either all of a sudden..

I know youll pick it back up sooo easy

Maybe he even has some pancreatitis?? With the not eating I always worry about that.
Maybe he’s nauseous?
Get the ondansetron in case he needs it.
Do you have appetite stimulant (mirtazipine)?

Or tried toppers on his food, Fortiflora? Parmesan cheese?
Poor baby.
I’m so glad you are able to do the fluids. It a gentler needle would be nicer for him
I’m glad you ordered them.
Sending you both hugs

 

[kitten68]

I know you are. You can do it. You’re strong and doing so good for him. Just hang on, one day at a time

youre right .. and trying!! And it is one day..

 

[kitten68]

Maybe he even has some pancreatitis?? With the not eating I always worry about that.
Maybe he’s nauseous?
Get the ondansetron in case he needs it.
Do you have appetite stimulant (mirtazipine)?

Or tried toppers on his food, Fortiflora? Parmesan cheese?
Poor baby.
I’m so glad you are able to do the fluids. It a gentler needle would be nicer for him
I’m glad you ordered them.
Sending you both hugs

he ate!! but i think he needs more fluids… is that ok to do? He got around 25 mL at noon.. could i give more?? or have to wait til tmw?

 

[kitten68]

i gave around 25 mL fluids (first time! ) around noon.. he definitely needs more. can i give him some more?.. maybe another 25-50? he was prescribed 100.. but i got nervous. hes also stopped drinking as much as he used to..

::Update:: doctor said not to do insulin rn.. see how he does tonite and tmw.. :/ getting him to eat most important..

@Staci & Ivy @Wendy&Neko @tiffmaxee @Mary & Jude @Tyleete @Lara & Luciole (Lu) @Suzanne & Darcy

 

[kitten68]

Maybe he even has some pancreatitis?? With the not eating I always worry about that.
Maybe he’s nauseous?
Get the ondansetron in case he needs it.
Do you have appetite stimulant (mirtazipine)?

Or tried toppers on his food, Fortiflora? Parmesan cheese?
Poor baby.
I’m so glad you are able to do the fluids. It a gentler needle would be nicer for him
I’m glad you ordered them.
Sending you both hugs

i think hes dehydrated.. that cant feel good. wants to eat.. talked to vet. pick up meds tmw.. ugh. he mentioned something Entice.. think a pill.. but Mirtazipine is for ear?.. yess ..

Me too!!! he let me… he needs more tho. HUGS HUGSBHUGSBHUGS HUGS!!!

 

[Suzanne & Darcy]

i think hes dehydrated.. that cant feel good. wants to eat.. talked to vet. pick up meds tmw.. ugh. he mentioned something Entice.. think a pill.. but Mirtazipine is for ear?.. yess ..

Me too!!! he let me… he needs more tho. HUGS HUGSBHUGSBHUGS HUGS!!!

Elura is the cat version of Entice (which is the dog form) it is a liquid. Can you give liquid meds to Pudge? Start SMALL with about a .25 mL dose of Elura (Entice) because it can have negative side effects in SOME cats. It’s best to start small.

If the vet prescribed 100 mL of SQ fluids and you only gave 25, you can go ahead and give more.

 

[Suzanne & Darcy]

What are his anti-nausea meds? Please say Zofran/Ondansetron.

 

[Lara & Luciole (Lu)]

If he is nauseous, giving him a medication to make him hungry seems inhumane. Make sure he has any nausea under control first.
Mirtaz is an appetite stimulant that can be given several ways, and transdermally (a bit of ointment in the ear) is one of the ways you can give it.

I personally would never give my cat Entice. It made him extremely unhappy and disoriented for hours. And it didn't make him want to eat.

 

[kitten68]

Elura is the cat version of Entice (which is the dog form) it is a liquid. Can you give liquid meds to Pudge? Start SMALL with about a .25 mL dose of Elura (Entice) because it can have negative side effects in SOME cats. It’s best to start small.

If the vet prescribed 100 mL of SQ fluids and you only gave 25, you can go ahead and give more.

tysm for getting back ~ right.. just relaying wut he said, of course for checks.. ty!!! i will give him more.. to verify, 100 mL on the lactated ringers bag goes from number to number right?.. like line 7 to line 8 is 100 mL?.. pretty sure what they said but im scared and nervous.

and all we have right now is Cerenia.. i was seeing on anti nausea, appetite things etc.. will ask for Zofran/Ondansetron for sure.. did i do wrong giving him Cerenia today?.. did have some vomiting..

 

[kitten68]

If he is nauseous, giving him a medication to make him hungry seems inhumane. Make sure he has any nausea under control first.
Mirtaz is an appetite stimulant that can be given several ways, and transdermally (a bit of ointment in the ear) is one of the ways you can give it.

I personally would never give my cat Entice. It made him extremely unhappy and disoriented for hours. And it didn't make him want to eat.

thanks for the heads up!!!! sounds like we should go w Zofran and Mirtazipine sp..

 

[Lara & Luciole (Lu)]

Cerenia and Zofran would be what you'd want. Each does something different to counter nausea and lack of appetite.

Mirtaz is to stimulate appetite, but if your cat has nausea, imagine for a minute how feeling nauseous and hungry would feel.
I would not give a cat an appetite stimulant until they have nausea under control. For the sake of being humane.

 

[Mary & Jude]

Congratulations on giving the fluids! How did it go??

 

[kitten68]

Cerenia and Zofran would be what you'd want. Each does something different to counter nausea and lack of appetite.

Mirtaz is to stimulate appetite, but if your cat has nausea, imagine for a minute how feeling nauseous and hungry would feel.
I would not give a cat an appetite stimulant until they have nausea under control. For the sake of being humane.

noted!!! THANK YOU!! i agree.. this why i dont take nothing without checking..

 

[kitten68]

Congratulations on giving the fluids! How did it go??

Went ok! didnt give enough.. trying to give more now. hes not drinking as much as usual…. Is 100 mL on a 1000 mL bag from number to number?.. :/ like, 1 down to 2 is 100 mL?.. pretty sure but im scared. :/

 

[Mary & Jude]

Went ok! didnt give enough.. trying to give more now. hes not drinking as much as usual…. Is 100 mL on a 1000 mL bag from number to number?.. :/ like, 1 down to 2 is 100 mL?.. pretty sure but im scared. :/

I don't know about the scales at all! Sorry. I find Google and AI a great help with these sorts of questions.

 

[Mary & Jude]

perhaps this will help

 

[Lara & Luciole (Lu)]

This is how I administer sub-q fluids. You can draw, and give, exactly the right amount, and the butterfly is much more gentle than a huge harpoon needle.

 

[Karolina & Nestle]

You're getting such wonderful support on here
I'm just sending healing vines
️️

 

[Suzanne & Darcy]

Cerenia and Zofran would be what you'd want. Each does something different to counter nausea and lack of appetite.

Mirtaz is to stimulate appetite, but if your cat has nausea, imagine for a minute how feeling nauseous and hungry would feel.
I would not give a cat an appetite stimulant until they have nausea under control. For the sake of being humane.

I, on the other hand have tried for months to get Mirataz/Mirtazapine to get my boy to eat while it doesn’t work and he loses pounds. We now have tried Elura (Entyce) at a LOW dose and finally he is EATING! Every cat is different and the key with these appetite stimulants is to start SMALL and titrate up gradually only if necessary. Mirataz has caused a lot of bad reactions in cats, too (usually due to overdosing.)

 

[Suzanne & Darcy]

I agree that it is a horrible idea to give any appetite stimulant to a cat without first treating the nausea that is causing them to not eat in the first place. Imagine feeling like you want to vomit when you even smell food and yet at the same time you feel hungry. This can create food aversions where the cat will remember this feeling and not want to ever eat that kind/flavor of food again.

 

[Suzanne & Darcy]

like line 7 to line 8 is 100 mL?..

Yes. But many times you have to run fluid out of the line to remove any air bubbles in the line. So you may not always be starting from the line.

 

[Suzanne & Darcy]

1 down to 2 is 100 mL?.

YES! but see my other comment about getting air bubbles out of the line.

 

[Suzanne & Darcy]

You absolutely did the right thing giving the Cerenia if he has been vomiting! It should be dosed at 1 mg per pound of body weight. It tastes AWFUL and you should order some size 4 empty gelatin capsules from Amazon and put the Cerenia into the gelatin capsule so he will never taste that awful bitter taste.

 

[Suzanne & Darcy]

If you do get Ondansetron, ask for the 4 mg. Orally dissolving tablets (also known as mini-melts) They’re pretty small and dissolve quickly. Do you have a pill shooter?

 

[kitten68]

fluids a success sorta yayy tysmmmmm to our community here.. got in about.. 50 mL or so id say.. tried more but again am nervous.. also called where his tool Internist is, someone finally talked to me.. (called to get all the advice on the fluids.. he said he didnt prescribe so he wont help.. i hate him )

omgggg he let out a little scream tho….. a piece of my soul broke. these damn things hurt!! how can we do this to him another week?….. terumos forecasted to arrive on 22nd….

And thing is, too, i gotta pick somewhere else to do it.. did it in his spot on the bed.. and i dont want him associating it w this.. hm.