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 However I saw Bella become depressed and withdrawn but took action a week too late.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.

[BellaBlinky]

Ok...wow! Never a dull moment over here. Bella had been eating really well for about 3 to 4 days on her own, and I kept fantasizing about when the doctor would agree to start weaning her off all of these meds that she's on and also fantasizing about the feeding tube coming out when lo and behold today she pulled out her feeding tube! We took her to the emergency room where they cleaned the area check, bandaged it, the basically said they don't reinsert feeding tubes. I guess she must have ripped the stitches out as well because there was a little bit of blood!:-(  Anyway, I'm thinking she may not need the feeding tube reinserted and she immediately started eating when we came home. Of course I'm going to call her regular doctor tomorrow and see what they want to do, but I'm thinking maybe the feeding tube it's I need to go back in. My main concern right now is trying to understand, although I've googled and googled, how does the esophagus heal back up from that tube being in it for 2 weeks? We are putting some soft claws on her today so she doesn't scratch the bandage. Also, I am limiting her food to the liquid food we were using in her tube for the next 24 hours in order to not irritate her esophagus. Crazy fun times! Also, I won't have the convenience of the tube in order to dispense her medications multiple times a day so I'm going to have to figure out that one. From what I understand all of the meds that she's on she must be weaned off slowly they can't be stopped cold turkey.

[CML2014]

Well DUH! DUH!....I hate when that happens. My mind sometimes goes faster than the writing

Pet Supermarket--it is a little cheaper there.
If you find it, let me know how Jade likes it---I think you will be surprised. It really is like people food!

Good Luck
CML

[Jade59]

I hope Bella was able to eat a bit more today.  3/4 of a can is pretty darn good considering what she's been through.  

Listen, I picked up on the Reglan.  I was put on that when I was hospitalized with ulcers.  I couldn't tolerate it.  It has a lot of potential side effects just fyi.  You should google.  It 'could' be the cause the the vomiting although Bella wasn't straining.  And the mild inflammation is likely due to Bella's vomiting.  It's very good no ulcers were found.  

I hope Bella had a good day today!! :)  

[Jade59]

Hi CML...the Weruva...you said:

"I get it at a holistic pet store, but have also found it at Pet, if they are in your area."

"Pet" what?  Did you not finish the store name, or is that actually the name of a store in FL.  I am interested in trying this grain free food for Jade.  

Thanks honey!

[CML2014]

LOL! Looks like human doctors as well as veterinary docs can be very intimidating...like we are taking up their very valuable time.

Might I remind them WE are Paying them, they WILL listen without being dismissive. You take ALL the time you need and if they get squirrely , tell them exactly that. ......and maybe they should stop OVER booking !

Sorry ...don't get me started, I could go on for days with the things I have seen and Heard from "Vets"

The food I KNOW your little Bella will love is called WERUVA. People here get tired of me singing it's praises, but it is so yummy and in plenty of juice so it is easy for them to slurp it. I am sure if you presented Bella with a little sample of this she would lap it up. Try it!  PetCo does not carry it . I get it at a Holistic pet story, but have also found it at Pet , if they are in your area.

I think Bella will come around with the eating. I think it just takes time to keep reg food down. Her stomach and intestines have to become accustomed to solid foods. I also would say dry food would be Very irritating.

From what you have told us about her tests, everything seems a temporary issue. You did GOOD MOM!!!!

Give our little Bella a big Smooch from her new friends  Me and Meezy!

Sincerely,
CML

[BellaBlinky]

but she unfortunately goes for her Kirkland brand dry food and the treats, which are both dry. I bought her fresh chicken thighs which I'm going to cook for her tomorrow. it is very very very challenging to get her to eat on her own. today she had three quarters of a can of Fancy Feast and that's it:-(  I guess this is just a super slow process? Her face is getting gaunt and I can see an indentation underneath her eyes. I am increasing her tube feedings every day but I just had to go slowly to make sure the vomiting was under control. she's like a little feather when she climbs into my lap. I'm not sure what the doctor meant by mild inflammation in her intestines... is that a GI disease or not? I guess I will ask her on Monday although she is very business like and I feel like I have a limit to the questions I can ask before she starts to get annoyed.