weak legs plus not eating or drinking

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julie & godzilla

Member Since 2009
What is worrying me more then his weak legs is him not eating or drinking. I have tried to force feed a little when he needs a shot but he doesn't like that and I feel bad that I have to do all these stressful things to him. The vet gave me medicine that is supposed to settle the stomach and boost his appetite but it really doesn't seem to work. It's almost like he has given up on everything and everyone. I am so afraid I'm loosing him and I don't want that. I have been praying for a miracle.
Does anyone have any idea how I can get him to eat and drink again?
 
I'm sure everyone's experience is different, so I'm not sure this will help.

Mona went several days without eating on her own. I syringe fed her a slurry of cat food and water mixed together for that time. It was really hard for both of us, but I do believe it kept her alive.

I'm still not sure what brought her inappetance on. I suspect it was a combination of feeling poorly from DKA (which she had when she was diagnosed), stress from vet visits and likely a reaction to all of the meds she was on (insulin, antibiotics, anti-nausea, appetite stimulant). We turned the corner when I quit dragging her to the vet every day and started doing everything on our own.

The vet gave me sub-q fluids and showed me how to administer them. Also, try different flavors and brands of cat foods from the low carb list. Mona finally started eating like she meant it when we happened across the right flavor (Fancy Feast Turkey & Giblets for her).

I hope your sugarkitty starts feeling like eating soon.
 
What specific meds did the vet give you?
Syringe feeding does take patience, especially on your part. Just how much were you trying to feed and what happened when you tried?
 
I feed him raw chicken that I make and he has been eating this since he was 3 years old and he is now 10. To feed him I grab a little chicken in my fingers and put it in his mouth and just kind of keep my hands around his face so he knows to eat it.
The meds he's on is PZI insulin, Tramadol, and an appetite stimulant can't read the Drs. writing on the bottle. It's pink in color.
I hope he comes around soon.
 
Raw chicken alone, or have you added supplements to ensure complete nutrition?
 
julie & godzilla said:
What is worrying me more then his weak legs is him not eating or drinking. I have tried to force feed a little when he needs a shot but he doesn't like that and I feel bad that I have to do all these stressful things to him. The vet gave me medicine that is supposed to settle the stomach and boost his appetite but it really doesn't seem to work. It's almost like he has given up on everything and everyone. I am so afraid I'm loosing him and I don't want that. I have been praying for a miracle.
Does anyone have any idea how I can get him to eat and drink again?
Click to expand...

Did your vet test for pancreatitis? A spec fPLI test? This can cause a cat to stop eating and moving about as it can cause great pain and nausea. If something like this is suspected the recommendation on the pancreatitis forum is to give supportive meds. This includes anti nausea medication such as ondanestron or if vomiting then cerenia. This is given twice a day twenty minutes before eating. If a cat is given an appetite stimulant without anti nausea meds it can create a food aversion buy forcing them to eat when they feel sick. The other thing that is meant to be very helpful is sub q fluids (obviously being careful if other conditions are present). A dehydrated cat can also feel nauseous. I only ever did sub q fluid twice with my cat remi but in the end felt more comfortable adding water to his food and carefully syringing water into his mouth with a 10ml syringe. I did this about six times a day.

Finally if pain is suspected then this can prevent them eating. Buprenex or something similar was of great help.

Sorry I am probably completely off track but just in case it helps :smile:
 
phlika29 said:
julie & godzilla said:
What is worrying me more then his weak legs is him not eating or drinking. I have tried to force feed a little when he needs a shot but he doesn't like that and I feel bad that I have to do all these stressful things to him. The vet gave me medicine that is supposed to settle the stomach and boost his appetite but it really doesn't seem to work. It's almost like he has given up on everything and everyone. I am so afraid I'm loosing him and I don't want that. I have been praying for a miracle.
Does anyone have any idea how I can get him to eat and drink again?
Click to expand...

Did your vet test for pancreatitis? A spec fPLI test? This can cause a cat to stop eating and moving about as it can cause great pain and nausea. If something like this is suspected the recommendation on the pancreatitis forum is to give supportive meds. This includes anti nausea medication such as ondanestron or if vomiting then cerenia. This is given twice a day twenty minutes before eating. If a cat is given an appetite stimulant without anti nausea meds it can create a food aversion buy forcing them to eat when they feel sick. The other thing that is meant to be very helpful is sub q fluids (obviously being careful if other conditions are present). A dehydrated cat can also feel nauseous. I only ever did sub q fluid twice with my cat remi but in the end felt more comfortable adding water to his food and carefully syringing water into his mouth with a 10ml syringe. I did this about six times a day.

Finally if pain is suspected then this can prevent them eating. Buprenex or something similar was of great help.

Sorry I am probably completely off track but just in case it helps :smile:
Click to expand...


The stimulant also has an anti nausea med in it. Well he is eating at night when he is alone in a room away from everyone and all the other cats. But he used to eat after I would test him so I could give him his shot if needed, now I have to force him to eat some. I also have given him some water by a syringe with no needle of cause. They did blood work and all came back normal.
 
Be careful about syringing water into the mouth. You need to do it slowly and direct the water not down the throat but from one side to the otheR. My technique is to keep the edge of the syringe just outside of the mouth on one side and direct the water across to the other side. I do it slowly so my cat just licks up the drops.

You might want to try the ondanestron as well if Godzilla doesn't improve in the next day or two.
 
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