At my wits end....

shoppingnoodles

HB58 wrote: »

I am so sorry you are going through this, especially as you have your own health problems

The is a product that can be prescribed that comes in a pump dispenser and contains a full day's calories in 1 or 2 pumps. Sorry I can't remember what it is called! I'm not necessarily suggesting this long-term but it could help buy you some time while this is being investigated.

I do hope you are able to get to the bottom of this and get your boy well again.

Crikey, that sounds awesome! If anyone knows what it is please let me know. I don't mind hand feeding my boy, but it does take an absolute age. He is sat next to me purring away. Thank you again for your kind words.

Zingara

Could it be Complivit? I keep meaning to get some to try.

Savvy_Sue

shoppingnoodles wrote: »

I wouldn't have thought the steroid would have acted that fast? Who knows, but either way today he is doing better.

I cannot speak for steroid injections, but having been prescribed steroid tablets once myself I can testify to the speed with which they worked on me.

spookylukey

HB58 wrote: »

The is a product that can be prescribed that comes in a pump dispenser and contains a full day's calories in 1 or 2 pumps. Sorry I can't remember what it is called! I'm not necessarily suggesting this long-term but it could help buy you some time while this is being investigated.

I do hope you are able to get to the bottom of this and get your boy well again.

Zingara wrote: »

Could it be Complivit? I keep meaning to get some to try.

If it is Complivit I'm afraid it isn't a full days calories... I bought some for my cat when he wasn't eating (he wouldn't eat this either!).

On the can it says it's 4720 per kg of product. One dose (for a 3-5kg cat) is 5g of product which works out to 24 calories. A 5kg cat needs around 290 cals per day so it's definitely not equal to a full days calories I'm afraid.

Hope the steroid jab continues to help him eating, my old cat used to have regular long lasting steroid jabs which worked a treat and kept her eating (she had all sorts wrong with her!).

shoppingnoodles

What a shame about the calories in Complevit - it would be good to add to home made cat food to get the vitamins and minerals though.

HB58

Sorry,I think it might be the Complivit. I haven't used the stuff myself but someone over on the 'purrs' website speaks highly of it.

shoppingnoodles

So the steroids have kicked in and troublesome cat has been scoffing his meals largely unaided today, which has been great. I don't think this steroid injection will work long term, but I am stuffing as much grub as possible into his bony frame while his appetite is back in the hope that I can get some weight on him. If I can achieve this at least I give us some more time to get a second opinion. We have decided that if (when) he stops eating again that we will take him elsewhere and ask for copies of his record from the current vet.


Thanks again for all of your advice and support everyone.

jenny-wren

We've been having a similar problem with our cat (except that she's rather chubby, bless her). She went off her food, ate virtually nothing for 2 or 3 days and the vet put it down to a sore tooth. The tooth was subsequently removed and the gum healed really quickly but the appetite problems persisted. A number of vets appointments later we are none the wiser. I asked the vet if stress could cause it and they agreed. Have you tried a Feliway plug-in? Saying that our wee rascal is still purring, playing and waking us up at 4am for cuddles so she wouldn't appear to be overly stressed.

Our vet prescribed Mirtazapine tablets today. I believe they're a bit like Kitty Prozac but act as an appetite stimulant. Within 90 minutes she had scoffed more food than she's eaten over the last four days. I could have cried! It's early days but we're hoping it will kick start her appetite. She's due to get one tablet every 3 days if her appetite doesn't improve. It might be worth asking your vet if they might help your cat, even in the short term, to get some weight back on.

Hope all goes well x

owlet

I've just read this thread & can't offer any advice but just wanted to send hugs & support. It's horrible not being able to get to the bottom of what's wrong. Hope you get somewhere soon.
Without wanting to sound horrible, is it possible that because she is an old lady, her body is slowly shutting down due to age? Not something we ever want to face but it does happen x

shoppingnoodles

Hi Jenny wren.


That is really interesting about the appetite stimulant given to your cat. I did ask the vet about them and she was a bit reluctant as she said they make cats sleepy all the time, but it doesn't sound like your cat is having a problem with them! Sounds like you have a really good vet.


Owlet, if you saw my cat Jack, you would seriously never believe his age. He runs about, climbs 8 foot fences, still plays with his toys and terrorises insects. The only thing that the vet could find wrong with him was his dodgy teeth and that has been sorted out. I genuinely do not think he is winding down as a few peeps have suggested. In some ways I wish he was, as our frustration is in the fact we simply don't know what is wrong with him as he is just so well otherwise.


I'm sure dogs are easier!