Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm helping a friend force feed a cat. He had fatty liver problems, which with the vets help and medicine have now cleared up. However, he is a mild diabletic (doesn't need meds for it). We've been force feeding him for 3 weeks now, but he is not showing any signs of wanting to eat on his own. He really enjoys the food, is active, and the jaundice is clearing up. Have tried coaxing him with his favorite dry food (thats what he normally eats) mixed with a little chicken flavored baby food (heated up just a little to release the orders). What else can we try??? Is it just this cats time to go??? My friend can't afford to put him in the vet hospital. She has spent $600 at the vet and thats about her limit (disabled on a very small pension).

-- maryjane

Hi,

I'm sorry, but this cat is very ill and needs to be under the care of a vet. Is there any way your friend can talk to the vet and possibly arrange a payment plan? Many vets are willing to do this these days.

The diabetes and liver disease need to be monitored and treated. The cat is probably not eating on his own because he is nauseated. I know you said that this diabetes is "mild" and hasn't required any treatment, but these things can change very quickly. At the very least, a prescription diet for diabetic cats should be fed, the canned version, since diabetic cats should not have dry food. And if a cat does need insulin, it's not necessarily something that has to cost a lot. There are ways of holding costs down, including learning to do simple blood tests at home.

I feel bad for your friend and the cat, but you can only do so much on your own. Force feeding is ok, as long as the cat doesn't fight it, but it's impossible to say whether this cat has a decent quality of life. At the very least, your friend should be able to bring the cat to the vet for an opinion.

PHKitkat