Another sample post from FAF...PLEASE JOIN. General's life depends on it. LCS
So much has been going on here, that I cannot reply to individually, that I just want to say this to all who are struggling with assist- feeding their cats: PLEASE do NOT give up on helping your cat to eat! PLEASE do NOT put your cat to sleep if he/she is sick and lethargic from lack of FOOD --- this is REVERSIBLE!!! PLEASE understand that lack of calories is DEVASTATING to a cat! PLEASE understand that lack of calories can lead easily to Feline Hepatic Lipidosis, a quickly-deadly form of liver failure. PLEASE understand that FOOD --- just FOOD, folks! --- can avoid liver failure. PLEASE understand that a cat can be EXTREMELY sick merely from LACK of FOOD. PLEASE understand that even if you start getting adequate calories in your cat, he/she will NOT get back to normal quickly! It can take WEEKS! DO NOT GIVE UP! PLEASE understand that oral-assist-feeding is NOT easy! It is messy, takes patience and calm, and most cats do NOT like it! BUT, if you want your cat to SURVIVE, you MUST commit to DOING it! PLEASE UNDERSTAND that feeding tubes are NOT a ghastly form of torture --- they are LIFESAVERS. PLEASE understand that in most cases, feeding via surgically-placed tube is a lot less stressful, on your cat AND you, than oral- assisting. The cats receive comfort from FINALLY having food in their stomachs, without the stress of having it put in their mouths by an exhausted, stressed-out nervous person. PLEASE understand that some cats tolerate oral-syringing well, but many do NOT. If yours is one who fights you or struggles, please talk to your vet about an e-tube. It is a short, inexpensive surgery. There can be "glitches", yes, as you may have read here on our site, but they are solvable. Do not let "fear of a feeding tube" preclude your learning more about them (check our Links) and talking to your vet about one for your cat. PLEASE understand that surgically-placed tubes are not always indicated (i.e., if a cat simply cannot tolerate any anesthesia at all, or if the cat is severely debilitated) --- BUT otherwise, may be exactly what is needed. PLEASE UNDERSTAND: NO CAT SHOULD DIE FROM LACK OF FOOD ALONE. And no cat should die because assist-feeding is hard. You have it in your power to save your cat. Do not give up. Do not despair. Do not expect overnight miracles. WE know you are exasperated! We have walked in your shoes! We are here to support you, as best we can, with our own experiences and Links to resources --- but you must adopt an "I can do this" outlook! Certainly, not all cats will survive. Many have advanced diseases that are irreversible. BUT if eating is THE problem, you and your vet can find a way to get food into your cat, in all but the most extreme and unusual case. DON'T GIVE UP! _______________________________________________ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
