My Cat Too Depressed To Eat

[BellaBlinky]

I have a 6 1/2 year old female kitty named Bella. I decided to foster a mother cat and her kittens about a month ago. I noticed the mother cat being very territorial towards Bella a few weeks ago, so Bella started sleeping on higher surfaces such as my desk and even atop a high bookshelf all the while looking frightened and neglected. The mother cat attacked Bella (aggressively chased her) a few times about a week ago at which time I told the rescue group I could no longer foster the cats. On Sunday, after I noticed Bella's appetite diminishing as well, the cats were relocated to another foster home. I thought Bella would revive but today is Wednesday and she still hasn't eaten. I even tried to syringe feed her baby food but she also started vomiting yellow bile on Tuesday evening at which point I took her to the emergency room. Her vitals were stable, blood work ok (they said it was ok but her ALT was 141 on a scale of 12-130 - they said this was insignificant), and she was ever so slightly dehydrated. They gave her anti nausea meds, fluids, and antacid. When she refused to eat Tuesday, I took her to a regular vet at which point they gave her a b12 shot, more anti nausea meds, and more fluids. They said she was in good condition. How is that possible if she hasn't eaten. She also hasn't peed in several day although they said her bladder is full. I feel she has sunk into a deep depression which has killed her appetite and now she is slipping hepatic lipadosis (fatty liver?) They said if she doesn't eat by Thursday, she would have to go to the hospital aaand get tube fed plus more tests. I neglected my little cat by caring for the fosters kittens because they had diarreah and ringworm which was exhausting. However I saw Bella become depressed and withdrawn but took action a week too late. Please pay attention to those small signs so you don't end up where I am! Can anyone help me? I have ONE day to get her to eat AND keep it down. I know she is so nauseous. I don't want her to suffer through the hospital and tube feeding. ANY and all suggestions are appreciated. I have had her since she was ONE day old and her life has been very sheltered. I should have realized how emotionally fragile she was.

[CML2014]

Hi Bella,

Happy to hear that feeding tube is out .Bella probably knew it was about time to lose the tube.

Frankly, I am not sure, but I believe when a feeding tube is placed in the throat --they make one incision to put it directly into the esophageal opening. Not Sure. Ask your Vet to be sure. I think Bella just has to eat normally and she will not have any pain.

Love to you both
CML

[BellaBlinky]

Thank you, opus88. Do you know how long it takes for the hole to heal in her esophagus?

[opus88]

heres an excellent youtube video on how to pill a cat(like the second one) I got one of those pill plungers frm my Vet when I first had to learn to pill...it gets the pill nice and far back down the throat, but now I never need to use one..just be quick and insert it far back in the throat with your fingers...
I've never used the syringe of water afterwards but in Bella's case with her tender esophagus it maybe a good idea...you can get these from your Vet clinic as well...good luck

https://ca.search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=AvRuZwuCFUAFfvG07a28oPYt17V_?p=youtube+how+to+pill+a+cat&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8&fr=yfp-t-715&fp=1

[opus88]

Good for Bella, she is doing awesome

Keep her on the wet food!!!!! Much better for her for 100's of reasons..not just now but ongoing too

No don't crush meds and put in her food, NO...that would be a sure fire way of putting her OFF her food all over again.

Talk to her Vet, many meds can be dissolved in a tiny amount of water than given with a dropper, but some taste so terrible that they could ruin her appetite...so check first wth yr Vet. Are you not able to pill her???

[BellaBlinky]

Ok, so she was really wanting her fancy feast so we pureed it in the blender. Can she eat dry food or will that irritate the hole in her esophagus? The meds she is on are Medrol, Mirtazapine, and Reglan. Has anyone had any luck crushing these and putting them in her food? Thank you!!! and, yes, she is feeling more spunky and I am loving it! I am still holding my breath though...

[Piparskeggr]

spunky