I agree sometimes you come to a point where you have to consider
letting them go but in my opinion and *my opinion only* assist feeding
and fluids are in NO way going too far. ANY cat that doesn't feel well
for whatever reason can and most likely will stop eating, and
dehydration makes a cat feel like sh*t, so they will not eat. Same as
anyone or anything that doesn't feel good not eating is the first thing
that happens. I don't eat when I feel like crap, don't know many people
that do. To not try and assist feed or give fluids when dehydrated to
me is not trying the simplest things to turn a cat around. Many, many
times a cat that looks like crap and isn't eating because of dehydration
will go right to the food bowl once they are hydrated again, I've seen
it and heard of it over and over again. I also don't know of many cats
that love or even like assist feeding but most will adapt to it
eventually. And for me if they don't and it is too stressful I will
ALWAYS try a feeding tube because I know personally how great they can
be and indirectly know many, many cats that have been saved and are
alive and well 5, 6 and more years later with NO hint of the problem
that caused the inappetence. Sometimes cat develop anorexia for unknown
reasons, they aren't even sick but obviously if they aren't eating and
nothing is done to intervene they will get sick and die. Just wanted to
make an argument for the other side which I have personal experience with.
sometimes doing all that is medically possible is NOT the correct
choice for the cat, tho it may be what seems right for us. i always
ask the critter--and when they make it clear that they no longer want
to be treated, and fight assisted feeding and fluids,
--
Belinda
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