My cat won't eat or drink
andrea_san_diego
16 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (93)
laurief_gw
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agoScoutKitty
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRelated Discussions
Pregnant Stray Won't Eat or Drink!
Comments (9)Hi. Wow, I feel for you dear. I agree with Laurie about ending the pregnancy. That may be the only option for saving her. I wonder if her body has enough strength to even deliver these babies much less to make milk for them. I do have some other suggestions though. 1. Heat - give her a heating pad or heating throw. Heat is very very important to cats. It is absolutely the first thing I do when I get a sick, injured or young animal,( dog, cat or wildlife,) is get them on heat, get that body temp back up. Normal house temps are cool to cats. Winter and summer I have a heated throw and warming pads that I leave on all the time. It allows the cats (and dogs) to go to it when they need heat. I have also found that my cats ( I have 16 indoor cats-no I do not breed, they are strays. All spayed/neutered.), when they are not feeling good, they will go to it. Remember a cat's normal body temps is higher than our own. A normal nursing kitten's rectal body temp is about 96*. Lower than that, and they stop feeding. You can apply this to your cat as well. If she is very thin and weak, she may not be able to regulate her own body temp. Give her the heating pad and also a place she can get off of it if she begins to get too warm. Also, new heating pads have an automatic shut off after 2 hours. This does not work for warming animals. You can find heating pads without this feature on Ebay or even Goodwill. If they are not available, check local pet stores for warming pads or even with your Vet or local wildlife rehabilitationist. You may be able to rent or borrow one. 2. Fluids- Most cats don't drink like dogs do. It is easy for them to get dehydrated. Being dehydrated makes you feel really bad so giving fluids under the skin can be a big help. Your Vet can teach you how to do this, it is really easy. It will also give you another chance to help bring her temp up, by warming the fluids. 3. Nutra-cal - is a brown paste sold at the Vet clinic. It is usually given to animals that are weak and lethargic (sp?). It is very dense in nutrients and high in sugar for instant energy. 4. Kitten replacer milk - The A/D that Laurie spoke about is an awesome food for animals in distress. Side note: It also works well on predatory wildlife. I used it on a Redtailed Hawk with a head injury last fall, to get him to start eating again. Anyway, if she will not eat on her own, you can water down the A/D so she can lap it up. It smells really good. If she will not go for this, you can also offer her kitten replacer milk. It will not give her loose stools like cow's milk will. It is also nutrient dense. 5. Steroids - I am NOT a Vet, but I know steroids can sometimes boost the appetite. I don't know if this can be used during pregnancy, but it is worth asking the Vet about. 6. Other foods - I have had some luck with offering meat baby foods, cooked chicken and cooked chicken liver to cats that would not eat. Warming the food helps. Again, we get into the notion that she is shutting down, ie dying. The appetite goes and they have trouble regulating their body temps. Cold food just takes more energy, they may not have, to heat up. So warm the food. Have doubt about the temp? Put the food to your lips. If it burns your lips, it is too hot. Last thoughts: I hope some of this helps. I can't see your kitty, but my gut goes back to bringing her body temp up. You can use a childrens rectal thermometer to check her temp. The Vet can also teach you how to take her temp. Remember to use a lubricant like KY jelly. Also, if you can afford to do it, a blood work panel is good window to see what is going on, on the inside of your kitty. Have you done a feline lukemia/FIV test? Both diseases could play a part in her condition. Both are spread by sexual contact (if I remember correctly). From what I know of the diseases, the FIV is workable. Actually, I have two "AIDS" cats. They live with my other cats and do just fine. We have had no transmission of the disease as we do not allow breeding or fighting. But unless they have gotten something new since I worked at my Vet clinic, I don't think there is much they can do with the Lukemia. I may be in error here, it is worth exploring. One more last thought. Financial help. I an in Indiana and locally in the city we have a group called IndyFeral. They work with feral cats and the people that are trying to help them. The provide food, shelter, traps, spay/neutering and Vet care for the wild cats. You might check locally if there is anything like this around you that might be able to help you if this is causing a financial strain. I really do understand being "animal poor". Thanks! Susan Below is some additional info copied from the Merck Veterinary Manual. 1. Body Temperature Feline "normal" body temperature range is 100.5 - 102.5 Fahrenheit (38 - 39.2 Celsius). A body temperature below 100 or above 103F warrants a call to your veterinarian. Cats may become stressed in the veterinary office (or car ride to the office), creating a higher-than-normal body temperature temporarily. Gauging body temperature by the moistness of the nose or how warm the ears feel is not reliable. 2. Respiratory Rate 16 - 40 breaths per minute Respiratory rate is the number of breaths per minute. Normal respiratory rates are assessed when the cat is resting. A cat that is in pain, having heart or respiratory problems, suffering from heatstroke, or stressed will usually have increased respiratory rates. It is important to gauge the overall situation and condition of the animal to assess the respiratory rate. 3. Heart Rate 120-140 beats per minute When stressed, heart rates will increase. This will normalize as the cat calms down in healthy animals. Cats that suffer from heart conditions (cardiomyopathy) or diseases such as hyperthyroidism will have increased heart rates -- over 200 beats per minute in some cases. 4. Duration of Pregnancy On average, feline pregnancy lasts 63 days, but can vary from 57 to 69 days....See Moremy cat won't eat
Comments (12)There's another thread similar to this but I'll post the response here also: My cat was not eating or drinking, not peeing, or having bowel movements. She was throwing up green foamy stuff & gagging at the smell of wet food. She was hiding under the bed, not wanting to come out & very lethargic. This went on for 5 days when I finally took her to the vet. The vet only did a physical and told me he needed to do a billion tests to find out what was wrong & it would come out to be $356. I didn't have that money so I just got fluids subcutaneously injected. They said it might help with her appetite. They gave me all the possible causes that it could be which have been listed on this site already. That night I gave her 10ml of water via a syringe every 2 hours 3 times. I blocked her way of getting under the bed. I added a scoop of her dry food into a cup of water & in the morning it was soggy enough for me to mush into a paste. When I added water I got it thru the syringe. I gave her 5 ml of the food mush the next morning along with 10 ml of water before I went to work. There are videos on youtube that show you how to feed the cat. It took me about 15 minutes. While I was at work my mom gave my cat 10 ml of water every two hours & 5 ml of olive oil every 2 hrs. Her friend has a cat that gets into everything & often has blockages & she uses olive oil for about a week and it helps her pass it. When I got home from work I gave the cat 10 ml water & tried with the food. Later on she ate a bit on her own and was drinking on her own. Today, I went to a clinic that my mom found online (Women's Humane Society) and they were cheap compared to all other local places. I told them the symptoms and based on that the vet did an xray. They saw that she was very constipated which has been causing her enough discomfort to now eat. They gave her an enema & stool softener & she was passing stool for about 20 minutes. The vet prescribed stool softener, a/d cat food (which, of course, she happily ate infront of the vet after I said she wasn't eating), & an appetite stimulant. She's not drinking water on her own but still not eating. I'm sure her tummy just hurts from the enema. He told me I MUST have her eat a can of food a day. He used a popsicle stick and smeared it on the roof of her mouth to feed her. It was $205 total. (30 physical, 120 xray, the rest was for the Rx) Good luck to everyone. 24-48 without eating isn't a concern for vets. Don't let the vets fool you into a million tests, insist on just fluids & an xray. Make sure you search around for a place that provides great care & is inexpensive like the place I went....See MorePuppy throwing up yellow, won't eat or drink...
Comments (21)the puppy does not have signs of parvo, my puppy I Had a long time ago died of that and they have black diahreah until they are dead it takes only about 3 days for it to die. I think these people on here are so ignorant and full of hate. they did nothing to help you figure it out just cut you down. my 11 week old puppy got up sick today she throwed up four times today and wont eat or drink, I do know that puppies do throw up a lot so I am not to panicked yet. I wil see how she is in the morning. I understand your delimma about not having money to go to the vet if you dont have it you dont have it. You sure as hell cant get blood out of a stone right? These idiots on this page should not even bother commenting they have no knowledge of anything just insults is all they know....See MoreCat Won't Eat, Lost A Lot Of Weight
Comments (5)I will just reiterate the above = both spot on imho - you really need to get an updated diagnosis and emergency care... if need be from someone who can work out a payment plan. Have you communicated back to this vet to update him - both about what's happening now and also I think the fact that all the symptoms incl digestive cleared up with antibiotics is revealing - (what happened after two weeks, the course of antibiotics ran out?) It could be the tooth infection/ inflammation keeping from eating, it could be it is systemic (has spread throughout his system) or it could be something else entirely yet to be diagnosed Unless youd rather not deal with this vet (him seeming to blow off some key symptoms is not good), Id certainly start with him and lay it all on him including your finances and see what if anything he will propose. A good vet understands that his job is to help the human along with the animal patient - if that's not this guy, then it sure doesn't hurt to ask around and look for someone else. So sorry to hear your guy is so ill - all the best to you....See Morelaurief_gw
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agoScoutKitty
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agoschoolhouse_gw
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agolaurief_gw
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agoScoutKitty
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agoBecky56
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agolaurief_gw
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agojayleen
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agokimmylou12
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agoCleoMom
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agoCleoMom
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agolaurief_gw
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agoAmr_coteet555555
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agolaurief_gw
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agojaded13
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agopetaloid
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agoLST863
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agoak165
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agoCity_mouse
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agoCity_mouse
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agolaurief_gw
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agoCity_mouse
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agoCity_mouse
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agoCity_mouse
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agoWHODGE1978
10 years agolast modified: 9 years agodreamer45209
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoclax66
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoUser
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoAlice86
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agorachelmfi
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoannzgw
9 years agoannzgw
9 years agorachelmfi
9 years agokitkatcozzyjdfrisky
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoDebbie Downer
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoEdwin Erst
7 years agomamapinky0
7 years agoelpaso1
7 years agoEdwin Erst
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agomyaglubpanny
6 years agokschroeder1122
6 years agoaviolet6
6 years agoMichelle Beck
6 years agoaviolet6
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoMichelle Beck
6 years agoaviolet6
6 years agoDebbie Downer
6 years agobrooke_nelson77
5 years ago
Related Stories
REMODELING GUIDESYou Won't Believe What These Homeowners Found in Their Walls
From the banal to the downright bizarre, these uncovered artifacts may get you wondering what may be hidden in your own home
Full StoryPETSSo You Want to Get a Cat
If you're a cat lover, the joys outweigh any other issue. If you haven't lived with one yet, here are a few things to know
Full StoryGuest Picks: We'll Drink to These!
Keep favorite summer drinks cold and at the ready with stylish holders and dispensers that are easy to take outside
Full StoryPETS15 Design-Friendly Places to Hide the Cat Litter Box
Built-in solutions include putting it in a cabinet, under the stairs, behind a wall and inside a window seat
Full StoryHEALTHY HOME12 Ways to Set Up Your Kitchen for Healthy Eating
Making smart food choices is easier when your kitchen is part of your support team
Full StoryPETS10 Tips for Keeping Indoor Cats Healthy and Happy
It's National Cat Day: Ask not what your cat can do for you (because it will ignore you) but what you can do for your cat
Full StoryMOST POPULAR7 Ways Cats Help You Decorate
Furry felines add to our decor in so many ways. These just scratch the surface
Full StorySMALL KITCHENS10 Things You Didn't Think Would Fit in a Small Kitchen
Don't assume you have to do without those windows, that island, a home office space, your prized collections or an eat-in nook
Full StoryHOME TECHTo Feed and Protect: Care for Your Pet From Afar With New Devices
You might miss the nuzzles, but your dog or cat won't miss food, water or monitoring with these high-tech feeders and cameras
Full StoryPETS50 Cats Soak Up the Last Days of Summer
As the days get shorter, felines find the best ways — and places — to lounge in the sun
Full Story
oddity