try some canned tuna or chic broth!

Give Spider a big ole hug from me-

Donna (^_^)

Foxy is also 15.
A few months ago when she was sick and had to take medications, we also had a hard time squirting it down her throat.

I finally got it in her by squirting it in her moist food and mixing it in. I see that Spider doesn't like the moist food , but she is eating it. Try it.

Foxy made it through, and is acting like a kitten again...so don't give up on Spider :).

I'm so sorry to hear about your baby. My cat, Oscar has been sick on and off for over a year now. He goes through periods where he won't eat or drink and gets terribly thin. One thing that works is baby food. He likes the chicken baby food. He doesn't eat a lot of it but it doesn't really take much to keep him going until he feels better again. I'm sure he will be okay, Stephanie. It sounds like you are doing everything right. (((stephanie & Spider)))

Stephanie - Sounds like poor Spider could still be under the effects of anesthesia making that moist food all the less appealing. Hopefully he'll be fine and eat a little better tomorrow.

i can't think of any advice other then the tuna or the fake crab/lobster meat that you buy to make dips with...my cats love that stuff!!

Give him a bit of time..he will eat if/when he is hungry,no matter what you put down.

He just isnt feeling well.

Poor baby! When mine had her teeth cleaned, she was back on dry food the same day. But if your vet thinks he shouldn't have any for 10 days, how about making the morsels a lot smaller? I would chop them in the food processor to make the kibble maybe half its size or less, but big enough that he won't choke. He'll probably just swallow the little pieces, but at least he'll be happy that he's eating his favorite food again.

Mine had her teeth cleaned and a harmless lump removed the same day, so she was also put under for all that. She wasn't quite back to her usual self for almost a week, so if Spider is not quite acting like he always does, give him a week or so before he starts acting totally normal. Mine had this worn out look for several days after the anesthesia.

Hope Spider feels better soon! :)

First, don't change the dosage unless you talk to the vet. I do think you need to mention to the vet of him being somewhat wobbily when he walks. He may also have an ear infection from all that mess. It requires a different antibiotic and has to go directly into the ear.
For soft foods, all my animals are different. I set out a few different things and let them pick and then quickly put the medicine in so they get it.
I just rescued some kittens and they have all kinds of problems. I have to give their medicine with a seringe. At least now I don't have to wrap them in a towel to avoid scratches.
Lynn

Maybe you can put warm water on his dry food and once it gets all mushy give it to him- that way it will be the same taste he's used to.

I too had a cat that loved baby food meat purees. Maybe that will seem appealing. Avoid the dry food until the stitches have healed. You don't want crumbs stuck in the hole and stitches. Had that happpen with DD when her wisdom tooth was pulled. Lots of pain. Infection starting. Days later had to go back to the doctor to see what the problem was--a chunk of hamburger!

First, the purring is clearly a good sign. That means contentment usually. Some purr for different reasons but you know your friend better than I do. My sister had a cat who would purr when she was stressed out, which was most of the time! But my two purr when they're happy and attention makes them happy. Sounds like most people I know. When you're not feeling well, you often don't have much of an appetite and enjoy a little pampering. A lap and a blanket could be very comforting and a rubdown feels so good! I'd say keep him close if he wants to and give him attention. Try the moist food and see what happens. He should be perking up soon.

I too would caution on adjusting the meds without talking to the vet. Especially if it's pain involved. Face it, can he tell you when he hurts? Well, probably. Mine seem to! But there too, it's probably going to be a short time and he'll be back to his old self. Be sure to give him water though. Don't let him dehydrate! That's bad news and can happen very quickly. And pay attention that he's using the litter box and all seems normal there too. Drinking and the LB are the two important things to make sure he's doing OK.

Give him a scratch under then chin and a rub on the ears for me. Hoping he's feeling well soon!

Cats purr to self-comfort. Talk to the vet about reducing the paid medication dosage, but do it now. Our cat was precribed Valium to calm her down but the dosage was too high and it made her back end wobbly so she staggered around like a drunk, poor thing. Vet said to try adjusting the dosage, which we did.
Cats can make remarkable recoveries even at an old age- ours have. Current cat is 20 and still going.

Don't know if you have tried this, or not. When
my last cat had several teeth pulled, I fed him
baby food - chicken, for a couple of days. He started
eating the dry really fast.

He was about 13 when he had the teeth pulled and he
lived to be a little over 17. So, hang in there and
give him lots of love.

I agree with greengirlreba- she suggested soaking his usual dry food until it's soft and moist. I bet Spider would like that best. Most cats are gobblers, anyway and barely chew their food, I've cleaned up after enough of them to know this true. lol. I know the vet is just trying to avoid your cat cramming food into the empty socket, but nurishment is key to recovery and if he won't eat the other, then let him eat what he will. And yes, he will probably do fine after all this is over and he's healed up and eating normally again. He'll feel a lot better without an infection in his mouth!

Purring is nice and a good sign usually, but when I worked at the vet's office I saw and heard cats purring thru the most horrendous circumstances, so I wouldn't put too much importance on that alone. The fact that he loves your attention is a good thing and will help him recover, I'm sure. Good luck!

How is he today, Stephanie?

This morning I woke up to him crawling on me in bed. ;o) ;o) ;o) That makes me happy b/c yesterday he would not get off the bathroom rug, much less jump up to the bed. So I decided to feed him first, them give him the antibiotic. The pain med was "as needed" and as long as he is moving around, I'm gonna skip it for now. He is eating, about 3 Tbs. of moist cat food this a.m. So that is super good news, too.

I also have to keep up the eye ointment. But now is eye is only pink around the edge, not oozing.

Often, things do look better in the morning! Yippee!

We have had this cat almost all of his 15 years. The cat and DS#1 were about 5 months old when we the cat. DS jokes that the cat was his first sibling, been with him longer than the real brothers and sister. LOL. So, DS and this cat are also very close.

I will probably get some baby food when I go back to the store. I forgot... Spider would eat baby food like a drug when my kids were eating it. We haven't had it around in a while, but when we did he would wait to lick the bowl/spoon/jar... baby's face and hands. LOL. Didn't matter if it was sweet potatoes, he liked it better than the babies did. That is a good idea. He might still consider that a fine delicacy!

Great news, Stephanie! I just knew he would be a bit better today. All my pets have been groggy for a day or so after surgery. But it can be scary especially considering his age!

Wish I could follow you to the grocery store. I would love to stand back while you peruse the baby food and tell passing strangers you're picking out the foods your Spider loves best. :)

Thanks. You would have gotten a laugh last night, too then, while I considered which baby wipe would be best for his fur. ;o)

Hmmm.. might as well pick up a bib or two as well. Can be messy eating after mouth surgery! LOL

All joking aside, I'm really glad he is doing better.

And I hope tomorrow he's even better.