skinky44
Member Since 2014
Although I didn't syringe-feed Saoirse, I did assist feed her for the best part of a week and it was really tough on both of us. I really feel for you both: it's hard, but it IS worthwhile. I hated having to do it but if I hadn't persevered Saoirse wouldn't be here. Laura, you're doing way better than I did. ((((Laura))))
When I was treating Saoirse for nausea and inappetence I varied the combinations of doses of anti-nausea meds (cerenia injection, then metoclopramide, then ondansetron) and appetite stimulant (cyproheptadine) so that I could determine what she needed and what was helping her. Based solely on weeks of detailed observation of Saoirse's clinical signs I found that there was a much greater reduction in nausea symptoms when I used BOTH an anti-nausea medication AND cyproheptadine together. It was very much a case of the whole being greater than the sum of the parts. If I gave either of them on their own, she either ate very little or couldn't eat at all.
I investigated the properties of all Saoirse's meds and learned that cyproheptadine blocks receptors responsible for triggering stomach acid production (excess stomach acid being a common cause of nausea). Also, as an antihistamine cyproheptadine has anti-inflammatory properties. In some ways I think the anti-inflammatory and acid-suppressing effects of the cypro were of greater benefit to Saoirse than the appetite stimulation effect. There were times when she she would look for food when taking the anti-nausea med alone, but without the 'beneficial side effects' of the cyproheptadine she'd start lip-licking and give up on the grub. It used to make my heart sink to see her like that - wanting the food but just not being able to eat it.(sigh) I only had to give her a tiny amount of cyproheptadine: 1/8 of a 4g tablet or less. Sometimes an even smaller crumb would do the trick. The small doses were enough to get her eating without constantly making her crave food and without making her drowsy. If the 1/4 tablet dose works for Skinky that's great. If you find she gets too drowsy on it, I'd suggest giving slightly less until you find a dose that suits her (helps her eat but doesn't make her groggy).
Granted Saoirse didn't have an abscess so no discomfort around the mouth area, but if Skinky were mine I might try the following:
* Make up a soupy slurry of the a/d food with some water and leave it in a wide dish or on a plate so that Skinky's whiskers don't come into contact with anything (might be sore). Leave some down at all times for Skinky to try to help herself to the food between syringe feeds.
* Give the cerenia and a tiny crumb of cyproheptadine and see if Skinky can get any food down under her own steam between syringe feeds. If she starts taking the food that way, you might be able to gradually reduce the amount of water in the slurry - maybe spread it out on a plate so that she can lick it up without having to chew - so that she fills up on food rather than water, and once she starts eating more on her own, very gradually reduce the amount of syringe feeding until she's back to eating on her own. If she backslides, increase syringe feeding and so forth.
* Watch for the slightest sign of returning nausea (excessive lip-licking after a feed, licking food then walking away, etc.) and use that as a guide to when she needs more help from the meds. Provided it's not too soon to give them again, administer the meds with her next syringe feed. (I'd I'd imagine pilling is impossible at the moment with her little face being so sore.
Another 'on the fly' thought. If it is an abscess and it is draining into her nasal cavity the discharge may be draining into her mouth and she may be swallowing some of it. I wonder whether the taste of it might be nasty or that it might be also upsetting her stomach? These are the sort of questions I'd be trying to get answers to if it was Saoirse.
I really feel for you. It must be very scary for you at the moment but hang in there. Skinky has become stronger - such wonderful news! - because of the fantastic nursing job you're doing, and the love with which you're surrounding her.
As always, you're both in my thoughts. Sending more prayers for strength and healing.
((((Laura and Skinky))))
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hello critter mom - that is a GREAT post - full of very helpful info! thank you!!
I don't know that the abcess is draining into her nose or not. quite frankly, i feel her nose just isn't working right. most of the time there is nothing coming from the nostril. in the morning, there are some crunchies at the base and sometimes on her whiskers but that is it. every now and then after putting her in the sauna, she will have normal clear mucous or mucous slightly tinged with blood, and i feel that is a real triumph. but she doesn't have the typical snotty stuffed up nose. It seems to maybe be going into that pocket?
she is circling around the water dishes and dare i say she took a couple of licks. and that as it. and then she circles back, puts her head OH so close to the bowl, but i don't know what the heck she is doing. I was wondering if her whiskers are sore? i try to elevate her bowls in such a way that she is tipping her head as little as possible.
She's working me over today big time. She is downright nasty with the syringe feeding. and yet it was a victory that she took a couple of licks of water from the bowl and is just sitting there, looking at me, like she used to when she is hungry. she wont eat anything else that i put in front of her. i want to keep her strength up.
Sending lots of feel-better/heal-quickly vines & prayers to you, Laura and tons of feel-better/heal-quickly/eat-yer-fuds-and-keep-it-down/swelling-be-gone vines & prayers for Skinky. Sending lots of loving, healing thoughts your way. 
