Wendy,
I'm very sorry to tell you this, but from what you describe, if you
leave Cricket alone for 48 hours, there is a good chance that he won't
be around when you get back, or he will deteriorate considerably, (in 48
hours, he may do that even with you home to assist-feed him). His
condition sounds grave to me and since he's not eating on his own and
his anemia is so advanced, he really needs to be monitored and cared
for. If you can't find someone trustworthy to stay with him, I'd
consider bringing him to a vet that will be able to monitor him 24/7.
Just boarding him at a regular vet that closes up at night with no one
in attendance won't be enough and will stress him out without giving you
full benefit.
As far as Cricket not eating... It's so frustrating and upsetting
dealing with a kitty that will not eat, unfortunately, I doubt very much
that he's eating when you're not looking and refusing the tasty tid bits
you put down in front of him. Usually when a kitty doesn't want to eat,
they will more readily lap at food. They start that awful thing they do
with picking up pieces of food and then spitting them out, like they've
forgotten how to chew. Oh, it's so terrible, I know it is. Have you
tried the liver shake that has been posted on the list? My Gypsy will
sometimes eat if I stay with her and encourage her with soft words and
strokes. Try warming the goat milk and foods you're offering, sometimes
the added aroma and feel of warmth on their tongue helps. Also, if
Cricket turns his nose up and walks away, follow him and put the bowl
down in front of him. I don't know why, but sometimes they seem to have
to think about it and when they are immediately offered food again,
they'll eat. For some reason they sometimes will prefer a bowl over a
plate and visa versa, try switching what you are serving the food on.
Offer the tiniest little bits of food, like a 1/4 of a teaspoon at a
time, I think the sight and smell of a full bowl of food may be
overwhelming for a kitty that doesn't feel good. I think sick kitties
sometimes blame their discomfort on the food they are eating. That may
be why they will suddenly refuse a favorite food, but might try
something they've never eaten before, have you offered Cricket lunch
meat in tiny little pieces? Also, assist-feeding will usually cause an
aversion to whatever you are using, for example, if Cricket has always
loved beef babyfood, he may not eat it after you've been forcing him
to. Just something else to keep in mind.
I'm sorry, my dear, I do know how hard this is. I certainly don't want
to cause you any more upset than what you are already going through. I
just wanted you to know that leaving him right now could have
consequences that I wanted you to be aware of. If it can't be helped,
it can't be helped. Everyone on this list is well acquainted with the
"what if" syndrome. We end up beating ourselves up over things we had
no way of controlling, we've gotten to be pretty good at avoiding
anything that will later give us anymore guilt than what we end up
suffering anyway.
I'm thinking of you and feeling anguished for the two of you, please
keep us informed.
Nina
wendy wrote:
Hi guys,
I am having a hard time getting Cricket to eat right
now. He is drinking water some and some tuna juice,
but it isn't much. I have been force feeding him baby
meat foods the past couple of days. He isn't very
happy about it, but otherwise, he is going to be too
weak if he doesn't eat. I've tried tuna, salmon,
goat's milk, yogurt, baby meat foods, and wet cat
food-different varieties, and he doesn't seem
interested in much of anything except for a little
water and tuna juice now and then and some tuna
flakes-just a little. I am hoping he is eating at
night while I am sleeping or gone to work during the
day, but if he is, I don't think it's much. I have
three other cats in the house and it's hard to tell
who's doing what. He doesn't have any mouth sores,
and he is dehydrated just a little bit. He's on
prednisone still, and still making rbc's, but his body
is killing them as it makes them. He's still anemic.
We don't have the $300 to do a blood transfusion, and
that's not really an option anyway, since he is making
his own rbc's and the vet said the transfusion might
make his body try to fight the rbc's more. He's still
walking around a little, but weak due to lack of
nutrients. He still purrs and sleeps with me at night
and goes outside to enjoy the air and sun, so I know
he's still enjoying life somewhat. But I don't know
what to do to get him to eat. Any ideas? Also, we're
going out of town tonight and I have to leave him for
48 hours. I am worried to death. My best friend is
going to stop by Sunday morning and give him his
Prednisone and some fresh tuna, and we'll be home
later that evening. Any thoughts or advice out there?
Thanks so much!
Wendy
__________________________________
Yahoo! Mail - PC Magazine Editors' Choice 2005
http://mail.yahoo.com
