Wendy, did you say you try Epogen on him? -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Nina Sent: Friday, November 04, 2005 11:21 AM To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Subject: Re: Need help with Cricket's diet
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 > > > > >
