> She ate a tiny bit (like maybe 10 licks). So finally I syringe fed her 2/3 > of a jar of baby food, with gray petting her as I did. She did not seem to ha > > te > it that much, and perhaps less than having food shoved in front of her face > > every 30 minutes, and afterwards she washed her face and then purred while I > pet her. Maybe I will do this a few times a day for a few days and see, > unless she starts to hate it more.
Knowing where to draw the line in giving supportive care is always difficult. I lost my Samantha to intestinal lymphoma last summer. The previous winter, she had a severe URI, and we knew she had the lymphoma. She quit eating. I decided there was no way she was going to die of a stuffed up nose, no matter how much she hated being force-fed. I cried while syringe feeding her many times. She didn't eat on her own for two weeks, but finally started eating. She got to really enjoy the springtime, and I took huge pleasure in seeing her sunbathing on our back patio. She would roll and rub and show her happiness to still be alive. It was definitely worth it. As summer progressed, she took a turn for the worse and it became evident it was her time. I will never regret force feeding her those weeks; it gave her that last wonderful spring. That doesn't mean force-feeding Lucy is right or will always be right, just that if it is only the congestion preventing her from eating, it may be the right thing even if she doesn't like it. Peace to you and Lucy. Lynette
