Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, My cat was panting and his mouth was wet so we rushed him to the emergency vet on Sun night (10/1). He stayed overnight on oxygen and they ran some blood tests. They also did the same tests and xrays at my regular vet on Monday. The vet said he has a #2 heart mermur and he's so overweight that the fat is crowding his lungs. He hasn't ate since we got him home on Monday night. So I brought him back to the Vet on Wed. They said to try force feeding him with a syringe. This has been very hard. He doesn't even want to drink anything. He looks fine but all he does is lay there in a corner or he hides under the bed or in a closet. I'm just worried. How long do you continue to force an animal to eat? I just wish someone could tell me what's wrong so we could get him help. Any ideas or thoughts would be appreciated. The blood tests and xrays all were ok. The vet did just give me an appetite stimulant that I will try today 10/5. Thanks for any ideas on what to do or what could be wrong with him.

Just seeing your post...

Hoping the appetite stimulant worked. As for force feeding, I had to force feed a cat (after major surgery) for about 4 or 5 days, four times a day, until he got his appetite back WITH the help of appetite stimulants. Hopefully, with the stimulant and force feeding, your cat has now started eating...

Recommend getting some Science Diet AD wet food from the vet whether she is eating on her own now or you are force feeding. Either way, it is packed with nutrients for sick cats and will help bring her back up to speed from not eating much...

Won't go into much more detail on force feeding until you post with current status as your cat may be eating by now...
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Tammy
Stanley and Pookey

Since your cat is diabetic, you really must keep up the feeding regularly until he is eating on his own. Normal cats can go into liver failure if they don't eat for a couple days, your diabetic cat can have sugar level problems without eating regularly before liver failure would ever set in.

Regarding my Science Diet AD post -- it is an excellent food, but I re-read your post and realized that you have a boy cat (I called him a her) and that he is diabetic. He may be on a special diet and AD may not be best. But, for right now, getting food in him is most important...
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Tammy
Stanley and Pookey

Thanks forv your help. The AD food is what the vet prescribed. Our cat actually died this morning. He showed signs of being sick on Sunday and he wouldn't eat so I guess whatever was wrong with him took over. I just wish all the tests the Vet did whould've shown or revealed something. But they never could say what was exactly wrong. Thanks for all your help and best wishes to you.

Thanks,
Anna

Anna -- I am very sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you.
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Tammy
Stanley and Pookey

I am very sorry about your cat. It is so sad when they pass and you just never really understand why because the vets can't figure it out.
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Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

I am so very sorry, Anna. Sometimes, unfortunately, despite tests, vets are unable to find out exactly what is going on.

My heart goes out to you. Sending healing prayers and Glow your way.

Regards,
PHKitkat

Thank you everyone for your kind thoughts. At least I know he's not in pain anymore. I just wish there was something we could've done but I know he's in a better place now. Best wishes to everyone.

Anna