? Still not well, any suggestions?

Viktoria

Viktoria

Member Since 2018
Most recent thread: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/uti-still-not-eating.205949/#post-2283664

We're done with the entire course of antibiotics (last dose was Tuesday night) and he's still not eating much better, loosing weight (his weight is notated in the spreadsheet, under notes, if that helps). He's been back to the vet to re-check his urine and everything came back clean. The UTI is gone, no crystals, no sugar... No explanation. They did another exam on him, and can't find anything wrong. He's still on Cernia, mirtazapine and now on pain meds as well (buprenorphine) as of yesterday morning for three days, twice a day to see if that helps change anything. (Not sure that it has, although maybe he's eaten a tiny bit more since being on it?)

I've been able to get him to eat small amounts here and there, most recently dry food and dry treats (I know, believe me, I know - but at this point I just want him to eat SOMETHING) He has an ultrasound scheduled for Thursday, but is there anything else I'm missing? His blood work came back totally fine as of end of October, his urine was clean as of Friday afternoon, he's not throwing up, he's using the litter box, he's been snuggling us (myself and my husband) and purring. He seems to be sleeping a bit more maybe? But I'm also SUPER analyzing all of this moves so... who know if I'm just overreacting. What could be going on? I'm freaking out pretty significantly here.

in addition: I have noticed VERY minor facial twitching, which of course led me down the rabbit hole of google, and it suggests they are seizures. I haven't been able to get a video of it, or even get my husband to see it, so it's entirely possible it's nothing. It doesn't seem to phase him much (like he keeps purring during the twitch) so really - who knows.
 
How about trying a different anti nausea med like ondansetron. It targets different nausea receptors than Cerenia. Sometimes one works better that the other or the cat could need both.

How are his litter box habits? Any chance of constipation? Is he dehydrated. Had fluids?

Sending healing vines. I am glad you have an ultrasound booked.:bighug:
 
Have you tried broth from no sodium added tuna watered down, or no sodium chicken broth? Its a bit of something.

I open the tuna, put it in a glass bowl with lid, add filtered water to it, smoosh it up, give tuna broth and a little tuna bits. It's worked for my kits when they wouldn't eat.
 
some cats really like fried chicken... just peel off the fried skin. Usually the meat is tender and juicy and the smell is attractive. It has helped a few.

And think about other things that you've eaten that he's sat next to you wanting it so very much.... I used to have a cat that loves that thin sliced pastrami.
 
Viktoria said:
He's still on Cernia, mirtazapine and now on pain meds as well (buprenorphine) as of yesterday morning for three days, twice a day to see if that helps change anything. (Not sure that it has, although maybe he's eaten a tiny bit more since being on it?)
Click to expand...
Hi :),
I see Ninja has been OTJ since September, is his correct?
I am (also) curious as to ‘why’ the Cernia, Mirtazapine and, Bupe?
M.a.y.b.e, just maybe? your little girl is depressed? (Synthetic) meds unnecessarily?
Have you tried any natural possibilities?
CBD oil... other more qualified members hopefully will pipe in?
@Chris & China , @Gill & George or @Marje and Gracie are all very knowledgeable hopefully might b available-able to advise you more... better.
Everything is going to be OK, trust and believe :):cat:
 
Last edited:
I'm guessing a culture and sensitivity was not done? So maybe he didn’t get the right antibiotic? If any infection is gone it might take a little time for his appy to return.
 
Wendy&Neko said:
How about trying a different anti nausea med like ondansetron. It targets different nausea receptors than Cerenia. Sometimes one works better that the other or the cat could need both.

How are his litter box habits? Any chance of constipation? Is he dehydrated. Had fluids?

Sending healing vines. I am glad you have an ultrasound booked.:bighug:
Click to expand...
I agree with Wendy's thoughts and echo her questions. I'm also glad he has an ultrasound booked. Hopefully it'll provide you with some answers.

:bighug:
 
Krystina & Nelli said:
Have you tried any natural possibilities?
CBD oil...
Click to expand...

I agree with Krystina. Why is he getting the meds? Maybe they are making him feel sick? Trips to the vet & testing is VERY stressful. Maybe he needs to feel safe at home again.
I've been giving my 3 cats CBD oil once every other day Just 4 or 5 drops in baby food mixed in a bit of water & into a feeding syringe.
I'ts good for pain &"always gets my kitties eating "when they go off their food.
I know you are trying to get Ninja to eat but it might not be a good idea to give any dry food due to the fact he had "crystals in his bladder" before.

What makes you think he's nauseous ?

From what you said he seems to be acting pretty normal except for being off his food. My cat Ravan is a big cat ,tall He's not thin, & weighs about 13 lbs.I'd be concerned if he gained weight!
Every once in a while one of my cats will be very picky with the food for a few days.Then they're back to normal.
I hope he starts feeling better soon:)
 
Last edited:
JoyBee&Ravan said:
Every once in a while one of my cats will be very picky with the food for a few days.Then they're back to normal.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, this has been going on for at least a week. Eating trumps all. Sometimes you just have to do what you have to do to get kitty to eat even if it includes feeding dry food.
 
Wendy&Neko said:
How about trying a different anti nausea med like ondansetron. It targets different nausea receptors than Cerenia. Sometimes one works better that the other or the cat could need both.

How are his litter box habits? Any chance of constipation? Is he dehydrated. Had fluids?

Sending healing vines. I am glad you have an ultrasound booked.:bighug:
Click to expand...

Ohh, I didn't even realize there were other anti nausea med options! I'll ask our vet to see what her thoughts are. I'm also considering going off of it and see if anything changes. Thank you for the idea!

His litter box habit seem alright - less than usual, but that's also to be expected since he's also eating less. I did see him drinking water about 30 mins ago, with his usual paw test process (stick paw into the water fountain stream, lick paw, proceed to drink water from the stream - lol) and he's had sub-q fluids three times in the last couple of weeks (ER visit, regular vet visit the first time and then most recently on Friday). Though we are discussing doing them at home if he's not drinking on his own.
 
Joanne&TinySole said:
Have you tried broth from no sodium added tuna watered down, or no sodium chicken broth? Its a bit of something.

I open the tuna, put it in a glass bowl with lid, add filtered water to it, smoosh it up, give tuna broth and a little tuna bits. It's worked for my kits when they wouldn't eat.
Click to expand...

I have :( I've tried tuna, chicken, turkey, baby food, string cheese (his usual fave) you name it... Thank you though!
 
rhiannon and shadow (GA) said:
some cats really like fried chicken... just peel off the fried skin. Usually the meat is tender and juicy and the smell is attractive. It has helped a few.

And think about other things that you've eaten that he's sat next to you wanting it so very much.... I used to have a cat that loves that thin sliced pastrami.
Click to expand...

I think we'll try salmon next, but aside from that - we've gone through the whole list of food. It's so frustrating and scary.
 
Krystina & Nelli said:
Hi :),
I see Ninja has been OTJ since September, is his correct?
I am (also) curious as to ‘why’ the Cernia, Mirtazapine and, Bupe?
M.a.y.b.e, just maybe? your little girl is depressed? (Synthetic) meds unnecessarily?
Have you tried any natural possibilities?
CBD oil... other more qualified members hopefully will pipe in?
@Chris & China , @Gill & George or @Marje and Gracie are all very knowledgeable hopefully might b available-able to advise you more... better.
Everything is going to be OK, trust and believe :):cat:
Click to expand...

He had a UTI, so we were treating him with antibiotics for that. The rest was to help him eat in the mean time. Ninj isn't the type to get depressed, nor is he acting so. Food has always been a sure thing with him, so it's incredibly concerning when that's not the case.
 
tiffmaxee said:
I'm guessing a culture and sensitivity was not done? So maybe he didn’t get the right antibiotic? If any infection is gone it might take a little time for his appy to return.
Click to expand...

We didn't do a culture, but he did just do a re-test of his urine and it came back clean for any infection, which I'd guess would mean it was the right antibiotic? Are you thinking that it might take a bit for his appetite to return even if the infection did clear up? If so, how long do you think is reasonable to give him?
 
Jill & Alex (GA) said:
I agree with Wendy's thoughts and echo her questions. I'm also glad he has an ultrasound booked. Hopefully it'll provide you with some answers.

:bighug:
Click to expand...

I responded above, but additional question: is it time to do sub-q at home if I've seen him drink? How do I know if a cat is dehydrated besides the "scruff test"? Thank you :bighug:
 
JoyBee&Ravan said:
Even if this cat had crystals in his bladder before (most likely due to eating dry food? According to Dr. Pierson's Yellow Sticky note)
Click to expand...
Yes. Anything to get a cat to eat. It's not like anyone is saying to put a cat on a dry food diet. It's a temporary measure often implemented when other options have failed. Desperate times sometimes call for desperate measures. If a little dry helps to get kitty to eat... helps to prevent further complications such as hepatic lipidosis... so be it.
 
JoyBee&Ravan said:
I agree with Krystina. Why is he getting the meds? Maybe they are making him feel sick? Trips to the vet & testing is VERY stressful. Maybe he needs to feel safe at home again.
I've been giving my 3 cats CBD oil once every other day Just 4 or 5 drops in baby food mixed in a bit of water & into a feeding syringe.
I'ts good for pain &"always gets my kitties eating "when they go off their food.
I know you are trying to get Ninja to eat but it might not be a good idea to give any dry food due to the fact he had "crystals in his bladder" before.

What makes you think he's nauseous ?

From what you said he seems to be acting pretty normal except for being off his food. My cat Ravan is a big cat ,tall He's not thin, & weighs about 13 lbs.I'd be concerned if he gained weight!
Every once in a while one of my cats will be very picky with the food for a few days.Then they're back to normal.
I hope he starts feeling better soon:)
Click to expand...

This isn't really the case of Ninj being picky, he's not eating ANYTHING, which is highly unusual for him. I'm aware of the dangers of dry food, however I am also aware of the dangers of him not eating and between the two, I'm willing to risk the dry food for short term - it's an educated risk.

He appeared to be nauseous because he would attempt to eat and then stop - making it seem like something was either hurting him when he would eat, or he would get nauseous. Just a guess of course, but that's the best we've got right now.
 
Jill & Alex (GA) said:
Yes. Anything to get a cat to eat. It's not like anyone is saying to put a cat on a dry food diet. It's a temporary measure often implemented when other options have failed. Desperate times sometimes call for desperate measures. If a little dry helps to get kitty to eat... helps to prevent further complications such as hepatic lipidosis... so be it.
Click to expand...
 
I also agree with Wendy, that you might want to try Ondansetron. You'll need to ask your vet for a prescription and get it filled at a human pharmacy. Sending eating vines to your Ninja, and hugs to you.
 
Viktoria said:
We checked it via the blood work, and it came back negative. But to me, the symptoms still seem to match up to that the most, given his behavaior.
Click to expand...
I've had the expensive Idexx pancreatitis test done twice on my guy when he was ill with what looked like pancreatitis and both times it was negative. That test is good but not perfect. Treatment is for symptoms - antinausea, fluids, maybe appetite stimulant.
 
Antibiotics are a double-edged sword. They are needed, but can wreak havoc on a cat's appetite and digestive system.

Have you tried Slippery Elm Bark. On days when Cookie wasn't eating, we'd swipe that in her mouth to help her tummy and as a nutrient source.

If George Washington and his troops could survive on only that, it must provide some nutrition as well as relief.
 
Kris & Teasel said:
I've had the expensive Idexx pancreatitis test done twice on my guy when he was ill with what looked like pancreatitis and both times it was negative. That test is good but not perfect. Treatment is for symptoms - antinausea, fluids, maybe appetite stimulant.
Click to expand...

Did the vet assume it was pancreatitis and treat it as such? Or how did you proceed?
Also - how long did it last? Was he also having appetite issues?
 
Joanne&TinySole said:
Antibiotics are a double-edged sword. They are needed, but can wreak havoc on a cat's appetite and digestive system.

Have you tried Slippery Elm Bark. On days when Cookie wasn't eating, we'd swipe that in her mouth to help her tummy and as a nutrient source.

If George Washington and his troops could survive on only that, it must provide some nutrition as well as relief.
Click to expand...

How long should I expect them to be an issue for him? If that’s what’s causing this now?

I haven’t tried that! Where would I get it?
 
Viktoria said:
Did the vet assume it was pancreatitis and treat it as such? Or how did you proceed?
Also - how long did it last? Was he also having appetite issues?
Click to expand...
Much speculation on what was going on. He had lesser episodes of pancreatitis over the years but the big flare that precipitated a bout of DKA could also have had an element of IBD in it. He wasn't eating, was vomiting periodically, became very lethargic, etc. The Idexx panel was done in in mid-May and again in June - negative both times. He also had an abdominal ultrasound and was seen by an IM vet. The gold standard for diagnosis of IBD is open abdominal surgical biopsy - not going there. The treatment focus was on the DKA when he was in hospital. I've had vets tell me over the years that they often treat pancreatitis symptoms "as if".

Regardless of the cause, the immediate need is symptom treatment so you avoid lessen the risk of DKA and/or hepatic lipidosis. After Teasel's crisis, I arranged with my vet to have a pharmacy of meds here at home for him - Cerenia, ondansetron, cyproheptadine - and I learned how to give subQ fluids. In retrospect, I think that if I'd had the meds here to use at the first sign of his inappetance/vomiting I could possibly have averted the worst of the crisis.
 
Slippery Elm https://draxe.com/slippery-elm/ (Slippery elm helps my kitties with constipation & Nausea It soothes the digestive tract, if you read the article you'll see it's safe & good for many aliments. I take it for reflux)

Oregon's Wild Harvest Slippery Elm Organic Capsules, 90 Count (On Amazon)

I open a capsule & empty 1/2 into a shot glass add a table spoon of water & put it into a feeding syringe (it gets thick real fast) some people put it into food but my cats won't eat the food then.

They don't mind the taste of it.

Innovet 10cc Feeding Syringe 6mm Tip
31Dttp74XqL.jpg

by Innovet 10cc Feeding Syringe 6mm Tip

I use CW PAWS CBD Oil 1 oz bottle . I trust this Company.I've been using it for a few years & it "always" gets my cats eating within several hours.
https://www.cwhemp.com/charlottes-web-pet-hemp-oil-supplement

I sincerely hope this information helps Ninja.:):bighug:
(None of it has ever hurt any of my Kitties. )
 
Viktoria said:
Most recent thread: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/uti-still-not-eating.205949/#post-2283664

We're done with the entire course of antibiotics (last dose was Tuesday night) and he's still not eating much better, loosing weight (his weight is notated in the spreadsheet, under notes, if that helps). He's been back to the vet to re-check his urine and everything came back clean. The UTI is gone, no crystals, no sugar... No explanation. They did another exam on him, and can't find anything wrong. He's still on Cernia, mirtazapine and now on pain meds as well (buprenorphine) as of yesterday morning for three days, twice a day to see if that helps change anything. (Not sure that it has, although maybe he's eaten a tiny bit more since being on it?)

I've been able to get him to eat small amounts here and there, most recently dry food and dry treats (I know, believe me, I know - but at this point I just want him to eat SOMETHING) He has an ultrasound scheduled for Thursday, but is there anything else I'm missing? His blood work came back totally fine as of end of October, his urine was clean as of Friday afternoon, he's not throwing up, he's using the litter box, he's been snuggling us (myself and my husband) and purring. He seems to be sleeping a bit more maybe? But I'm also SUPER analyzing all of this moves so... who know if I'm just overreacting. What could be going on? I'm freaking out pretty significantly here.

in addition: I have noticed VERY minor facial twitching, which of course led me down the rabbit hole of google, and it suggests they are seizures. I haven't been able to get a video of it, or even get my husband to see it, so it's entirely possible it's nothing. It doesn't seem to phase him much (like he keeps purring during the twitch) so really - who knows.
Click to expand...
Bella has those facial twitches and vet told me they focal facial seizures, his face twitches and his eyes flutter just for a sec, dont know what causes them would have to do MRI
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top