Appetite Stimulants?

[Lkldcatlady]

My non-diabetic kitty, Penelope, has suddenly lost a lot of weight. She's had senior bloodwork done and that showed nothing. I'm taking her in tonight for an x-ray to see if we can maybe see something. I have to get her to eat though. I used mirtazapine ONCE on Bob (the diabetic kitty) and it made him psycho. He jumped on my entire body, including my head ALL NIGHT LONG. I've read a lot of scary stuff about it online. Just wondering if there are alternative appetite stimulants? I need to get this cat to eat - she is quite bony and seems to be getting not even 100 calories a day.

 

[Wulfwin]

I've used Mirtazapine in both of my diabetics with no side effects. Unfortunately, there's no way to predict which cat will have side effects. I haven't personally used it, but a lot of members here have Cyproheptadine instead and I believe it has less side effects than Mirtazapine. There's info on both Mirtazapine and Cyproheptadine, as well as a bunch of tricks/things to try for cats with poor appetites on Tanya's CRF page. Two other things that things to try are FortiFlora (a probiotic powder that can be sprinkled/added to the food - I call it 'kitty crack' because most cats love the stuff, and I've had a lot of luck with it in sick cats that won't eat) and parmesan cheese (I haven't personally used this, but I know I saw the suggestion somewhere on this board as another topper for food for kitties not eating well). Have you tried other foods (plain boiled chicken, canned tuna, science diet A/D from the vet, etc.)? Does Penelope act like she's nauseous (such as interested in/sniffing food, but not eating)?

 

[jayla-n-Drevon]

I use mirtz and cypro (we rotate) and we use reglan injectable as well because if it is nausea most cats don't want to swallow a pill.
(the raglan helps the nausea)

I know some cats go bonkers on mirtz but for Rico it has made him so much happier and social--If you try it start VERY slow--just a little chip (I personally would not use the recommended dose of 1/4 of a 15 mg-- I would do 1/8 (or a tiny chip)

I hope you get some answers....

Ondanestron is great for nausea if you can get the pill down --
I agree with @Wulfwin to look at tanyas site because there can be drug interactions-- for instance the antidote for mirtz is cypro-and lots of other good info-

 

[ebuckley]

The vet checked thyroid, right?