Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello
My cat is 5 yrs old. I love him so much. Pleeaseeee help.

About 2.5 weeks ago, I found him abnormal, inactive and quiet. On day, I found that he didn't walk well, always laid down on floor. I took him to the vet. Had blood test with -ve result. The vet said he might have pain on his back so gave him pain killers for a week. During this 1st week, had seen the vet twice, he still ate on his own and his walk seems improved a little bit but still no jumping as normal. After taking the pain killers for a week, he started vomiting and refused to eat. I took him back to the vet again, had urine test with -ve result and gave him antibotics and appetite stimulus and drugs for gastric. During this 2nd week, had seen the vet for 3 times with not much improvement, still vomiting and refused to eat and drink.

Eventually he was hospitalised since he was dehydrated and was on drip for 3 days, during which he had blood test, urine test, x-ray, ultrasound on kidney. Found that there were toxics accumulated in his kidney probably due to no food and water in the past couple days. The vet said he might suffer from kidney failure which also caused pain on his back. Luckily he ate very well on his own in hospital, no drug taken, no vomiting and felt more energetic (don't know if he could jump or not since he was in a cage.) On day 3, his blood test in particular for kidney showed normal result. So he was discharged on day 3.

Now, the problem is he's back home, his walk is much better but still doesn't jump as normal, still a bit quiet. Also he refused to eat on his own again although he does drink water. I tried to feed the food he ate in the hospital (Hills can food), warmed up the food, whiskas treats, iams beef (which he only licked all the source without eating the meat). I need to force feed him. PLEASE ADVISE what can I do? What's wrong with him?

I pray for him almost in every single minute. I love him so much. Please help.

SunnyKing

Hi There,

It's possible that your cat's kidney values are once more elevated. This can happen rapidly once a cat is taken off IV fluids. If this were one of my babies I would start with a recheck blood panel and urinalysis.

An upper GI series should also be done. This would help to rule out the possibility of a foreign body. A tumor wouldn't be likely in a 5 year old kitty, so I don't think you have to worry about that.

Try feeding him strained meat baby foods, with no onion added. Often sick cats will eat baby food before they will eat anything else. Doesn't have a lot of calories, but it may jump-start his eating.

You might even consider getting another opinion on your boy. I'm not saying that your vet isn't a good one, but training can differ quite a bit. If possible, I would go to a cat-only vet or an internist, and please have all records and results sent to the new vet.

I know it's frustrating to have an obviously ill cat with no real diagnosis, as I have been there myself. I will be keeping you and your baby in my thoughts and prayers.

Regards,
PHKitkat

I tried the chicken baby food yesterday, gave him about 1-2 teaspoon in a plate. Then he immediately ate all. I saw him eating this so I gave him more but he stopped eating again. I tried to give him the baby food again today and seems he is not interested....Then I gave him some cats' can food. I guess this one has strong favour. He ate all. Right now, this is the only kind of food I found he would eat although he doesn't eat a lot. However, I am worried whether these strong favour food would be too salty for him since the vet said he might have kidney failure. Also, would he get used to eat this food and won't eat any other kind of food in future? I guess these kind of food may be in fact not healthy for cat.

Since he only eats small amount of the cats' can food I mentioned above, I still need to force feed him more food - the Hills can food.

Any advice?

Hi,

I feel that the most important thing is getting a sick cat to eat, no matter what the food is. I wouldn't worry about the baby food or strong smelling cat foods at this point. In fact, I once had a cat that ate a jar of baby food every day for years and it didn't seem to hurt her. She lived to be 18.

There is still something seriously wrong with your baby. Anything that may help him through this is a good thing.

I still recommend another vet visit since your kitty isn't eating enough on his own.

Regards,
PHKitkat