Pumpkin doesn't want to eat or drink

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3OrangiesMom

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Hey all,

I've had to start feeding Pumpkin with a syringe. Doc gave me a special canned food called a/d that I'm watering down. I gave her 5cc at about 11:30-so far it seems to be staying down. She hadn't eaten anything since the 2 tbls. of baby food last night around 7pm and didn't drink anything either. I tested her at 6:30am and her BG was 191. I didn't want to give her a shot because she wasn't eating, so I went out and bought some things, different flavors of baby food, parm. cheese, etc. Called the vet when I got home when she still wouldn't eat. They suggested feeding her by syringe and put together a little package for me of different syringe sizes and a can of that food. So I got home and tested her again, BG was 240, so I gave her 1 unit and then fed her afterwards. I'm going to wait a couple of hours and give her more. I feel better now that I know she's had some food and water, but I still wish she'd eat. Baby steps, I suppose.
 
Syringe feeding is very helpful when your kitty won't eat. So glad you are doing this and it is going well. Here is some info on it: Assisted feeding There is a video that might be helpful.

Keep testing today to be sure she stays in healthy numbers.
 
Good Morning!
Have you discussed with your vet the use of appetite stimulants, and possible medications for nausea?
Any discussion about going back onto the pred, or looking into budesonide?
How about lab work, or an ultra sound so you know what is going on?

Assist feeding, with syringes, is a great thing to have in your tool box. Take it from someone who did it way too long with their cat (almost a year)....its very exhausting and difficult to meet nutritional/caloric requirements. So while you are assist feeding (which Im glad you are!), have you and your vet discussed how long you will let this go on before moving forward with a plan to at least treat symptoms (nausea, diarrhea, lack of appetite)?

You mention not drinking, and last night some diarrhea/vomiting. Do you know how to check if a cat is hydrated? I would have some concerns with no food, water + vomiting and diarrhea regarding dehydration. You may want to speak to your vet as to when/if it would be appropriate to do subq fluids at home.

I really hope you can get some diagnostics done and possible medications in place so Pumpkin will feel better, and YOU too!
 
Carolyn,
The vet did give me a stimulant, which I gave her this morning, and it didn't help. I've got some of that FortiFlora coming. My regular vet wasn't there, so the tech had to talk to the vet I don't like that works there. When my vet is in next week, I'll call her and tell her what's going on.
She has not thrown up/had diarrhea since last night. How do you check a cat for dehydration?
 
A little tip for the immediate:

*wellness seems to be one of the easiest foods to puree and go through a syringe. I used a mini food processer/chopper, so it was pea soup consistency (add lots of water). Chicken, and Turkey are the higher calorie choices. Also low carb AND grain free (which could be very important if IBD is suspected).

*If BG's get low, use karo. Again, if IBD is suggested its often recommended to not serve grains/gluten. Nearly all High Carb foods, which you would use to bring BG's up have gluten in them. You can dab some karo on Pumpkins gums. You can mix it into some baby food and/ or wellness and spoon feed, finger feed, syringe feed.

*If food is not going through syringe easily, you can cut the tip. But, you will have to file it down a bit as you do not want to scratch their mouths.
 
3OrangiesMom said:
Carolyn,
The vet did give me a stimulant, which I gave her this morning, and it didn't help. I've got some of that FortiFlora coming. My regular vet wasn't there, so the tech had to talk to the vet I don't like that works there. When my vet is in next week, I'll call her and tell her what's going on.
She has not thrown up/had diarrhea since last night. How do you check a cat for dehydration?
Click to expand...

Which appy stim did you get and how much did you give?
IF a cat is really nauseated, even with an appy stim they will likely not eat. May need something for the nausea (pepcid, zantac, and ondansetron are common). THose are medications you want to discuss with your vet, in addition to the appy stim.

To Check Hydration: You can (gently) pull the skin just behind Pumpkin's shoulder blades into a tent and then let go. The skin should snap immediately back. You can also feel her gums and see if they are moist, as an additional test.
 
Carolyn,

The stimulant she gave me is called metronidazole, 50mg, I'm supposed to give 1 every 12 hours. I have Pepcid AC, but she doesn't seem nauseated right now. Should I give her one anyway?
 
metronidazole is a "gut" antibiotic. It also has some anti-inflammatory properties. Appetite stimulants are:
Mirtazapine. Dose is 1/4 or less of a 15 mg tablet. It is given every three days.
Cyproheptadine is given twice daily at about 1/4 to 1/2 of a 4 mg tablet.
 
3OrangiesMom said:
Carolyn,

The stimulant she gave me is called metronidazole, 50mg, I'm supposed to give 1 every 12 hours. I have Pepcid AC, but she doesn't seem nauseated right now. Should I give her one anyway?
Click to expand...

Ive never heard of metronidazole used as an appetite stimulant. confused_cat Its an antibiotic.
A lot of cats with IBD and diarrhea will use it in addition to whatever tx is being used for the IBD (typically a steroid and/or chemo drug...depending on severity). Its possible it will help with some of her symptoms...but its not an appy stimulant. You want to look into cyproheptedine http://www.wedgewoodpetrx.com/learn...graphs/cyproheptadine-for-veterinary-use.html OR mirtazipine http://www.wedgewoodpetrx.com/learn...nographs/mirtazaprine-for-veterinary-use.html. Obviously you can google any of these medications Im suggesting for further info. This is just a compounding pharmacy site that I used and liked. Info is short and concise.

Here is a link with general info on metro:
http://www.wedgewoodpetrx.com/learn...ographs/metronidazole-for-veterinary-use.html

and (Im always an advocate of being aware of side effects to all drugs):
http://www.vetinfo.com/side-effects-metronidazole.html

I never used it with Latte because her issue was mainly with vomiting.

Edited to add (ETA): Many folks on this board have used metro for their cats.
 
Ask the vet is they have Clinicare.....it is a high potency liquid diet for tube feeding cats.........and it would give Pumpkin a lot more nutrients that she needs right now. Use that in place of water to thin the A/D down for syringe feeding. Also, keep an eye on the skin inside her ears. If you see any signs of yellowing then she could be going into fatty liver (Hepatic Lipidosis) and that needs immediate attention and possible a tube inserted for feeding. I would strongly suggest getting a Pepcid A/C into her and a good appetite stimulant from the vet today.
 
Pumpkin still doesn't want to eat, but she is drinking water now on her own. I gave her a pepcid this morning and if it stays down, I'm going to feed her. Her BG was 201 this morning. She's acting low key, but still alert and doing stairs, jumping up on things, etc. She's just so stinking thin now, it breaks my heart. She only keeps the baby food down, the a/d she throws up along with any other wet cat food. Makes me think that some ingredient is making her sick. Also, I tried to post a pic of her, but I can't get it to work. It keeps saying the file size is too big.
 
Im really sorry this has not resolved for Pumpkin.

Are you feeding A/D? IF Pumpkin has IBD, it is quite possible you are right about something in the ingredients possibly causing her to vomit. It may be the corn flour - a grain- that many cats with ibd are allergic to. Here is a link with ingredients in Hills A/D: http://www.hillspet.com/products/pd-feline-ad-caninefeline-critical-care-canned.html

What other foods are you feeding this weekend? What were you feeding before all of this happened (the FD and getting weaned off the steroid)?

I hope you had a chance to look over what I wrote yesterday and some of the links I offered.

Here is ANOTHER link....
I have not had a chance to fully review it, but my glancing at it seems like it does a good job explaining IBD. It has a list of links on the first page with further explanations on symptoms, diagnosis, and tx:
http://www.ibdkitties.net/aboutibd.html

Do you think you will be able to get Pumpkin in first thing in the a.m. to see the vet? I do think with the length of time she has not been eating, its worth more than a phone call. An actual exam and discussion face to face would be best. Cats REALLY cant go too long without eating and staying free of major complications. Im sure you will, but if you notice ANYTHING different I would not hesitate to bring pumpkin to the ER.

If Pumpkin is throwing up the a/d, stop feeding it. If baby food it is to get you through the crisis until tomorrow...than baby food it is. Its better than nothing, and its better than vomiting repeatedly.

Im glad you are home testing. This is such a vital skill to have right now, especially with pumpkin not eating. If you are not checking for ketones, this would be a good time to do so. A kitty will often be more prone to ketones if not eating, dehydrated, infection, and/or not enough insulin given. If you go to your pharmacy and ask for ketostix, they should be able to point them out to you. When pumpkin goes to the bathroom try to put the stick in the stream of urine. Follow the directions on the packaging to read the stick. Its just a simple thing we can do to put a little peace in our heart, and rule out a possible complication. The cost is around $10-$15 per bottle.

Many ((((((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))))) to you! I know this is so hard. I think it can get worked out and Pumpkin will start feeling much better, real soon. :mrgreen: Please do check back later today and let us know how things are going.
 
okee dokee..no update. About to go to bed and thought I would check. We really do care, and think of many cats (and beans) 0n this site often. I hope you are able to contact your vet tomorrow and discusss what has been going on. More importantly, I hope there was an improvement today.
 
Sorry I haven't been on here for an update. Pumpkin is currently at the vet for the day for more blood work and fluids. Vet is puzzled-all her blood work last Monday was normal except for her glucose levels. She suggested an ultrasound, but we just can't afford it ($1,500). Next step will be to put her back on the steroid for IBD. If that doesn't work, I'm not sure what the next step will be. Her glucose levels have been pretty steady, hovering around the 200 mark. Sometimes she keeps what I feed her down, sometimes she doesn't. The Pepcid seems to help. I still have to syringe feed her, she seems repulsed by food. Right now it's just wait and see, I suppose.
 
If she needs to be on the pred to make her feel better than so be it. I know how emotionally taxing this stuff can be, I've been though it. I also know how expensive it gets....
The weirdest thing is I got the this in the mail this weekend from the SPCA on pet insurance. I've never had it and don't know anyone who does, but it "looks" great. I'm pretty skeptical.

I hope Pumpkin feels better soon and that her vet can figure out what's going on!!!
 
Just heard back from the vet. Blood work was all normal. The only thing we can think of to do at this point is to start her back on the prednisolone and see if it helps the IBD. I'll also be giving her 1/2 of a Pepcid every day. I'm supposed to keep a close eye on her BG. I hope this works, otherwise I have no idea what we'll do next.
Traci, that's so funny that you mentioned the pet health insurance. I've seen stuff for that at pet stores. I told my hubby this morning in the vets office after she dropped the $1,500 price tag on the ultrasound that we should have bought some.
Also, does anyone know a good dry cat food that's okay for IBD? I'm going to give her wet food, but I've got other cats in the house that I leave a little dry out for them to munch on. I want to have something out that she can eat without it hurting her.


Please keep fingers and toes crossed that this works!!
 
Traci and Boomer said:
If she needs to be on the pred to make her feel better than so be it. I know how emotionally taxing this stuff can be, I've been though it. I also know how expensive it gets....
The weirdest thing is I got the this in the mail this weekend from the SPCA on pet insurance. I've never had it and don't know anyone who does, but it "looks" great. I'm pretty skeptical.

I hope Pumpkin feels better soon and that her vet can figure out what's going on!!!
Click to expand...

Pet insurance usually excludes pre-existing conditions. And usually cannot be bought
for the older pet.
 
3OrangiesMom said:
Just heard back from the vet. Blood work was all normal. The only thing we can think of to do at this point is to start her back on the prednisolone and see if it helps the IBD. I'll also be giving her 1/2 of a Pepcid every day. I'm supposed to keep a close eye on her BG. I hope this works, otherwise I have no idea what we'll do next.
Traci, that's so funny that you mentioned the pet health insurance. I've seen stuff for that at pet stores. I told my hubby this morning in the vets office after she dropped the $1,500 price tag on the ultrasound that we should have bought some.
Also, does anyone know a good dry cat food that's okay for IBD? I'm going to give her wet food, but I've got other cats in the house that I leave a little dry out for them to munch on. I want to have something out that she can eat without it hurting her.


Please keep fingers and toes crossed that this works!!
Click to expand...

Oh poor baby. My Smokey had IBD and when he got home from the vet I syringe fed and/or finger fed
for several weeks and he finally started eating on his own.

I don't know about a 'good' dry food for IBD. But grain free lower-carb dry foods are Innova EVO and Wellness CORE.
I would suggest one of those if you MUST have dry food around.
 
Hi again-

I've given Merlin Wellness Core if I give him dry. For whatever reason the Evo dry made him sick though it is also a decent option. Hang in there!!!
 
Pumpkin is eating!!! When I got home tonight, I fed her and gave her a pred. An hour later she was eating lunch meat and chicken pieces. I am sooo relieved!!!! She's acting normal and more social. Thanks for the dry food suggestions. I'm in the process of switching all of the cats to a wet diet, but in the mean time, I'd still like to have some dry around for them. Thanks to everyone for being so supportable and helpful!!!
 
I was so sad to hear Pumpkin had spent the day at the vet. Then, as I read down I see the happy news! Ya!!! :mrgreen:
I had a similar experience with Latte...stopped the pred, but had to restart after a few other failed tx options. Within an hour or two of restarting the pred, she was eating on her own for the first time in weeks. It was almost as if her and her body were saying, "yes mom...I really do need this, and THANK YOU!"

Latte had many other issues that caused her eating to wax and wane, despite the steroid. I always had to keep a bowl of kibble out. I used EVO, as they claim it was lower carbs, grain free, and certainly one of the higher calorie foods. Im glad to hear you are working on a switch to wet for all cats. Tell them its their sacrifice for pumpkin. ;-)

Please dont hesitate to ask questions about IBD, diet, managing the BG's with the steroid, etc. There are so many folks here who have dealt with very similar situations.

Way to go Pumpkin! :thumbup
(((((((((((3orangiesmom))))))))))
 
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