((((Dottie and Baby)))))

I am sending you prayers to get through this, whichever path Baby takes. She knows you love her and are doing the best for her every day.

I'm so sorry and know how worried you are. We went through this exact situation with our dear kitty Senorita. (We used to call her "The Baby," too!!) The vet told us it's very serious when a cat won't eat. I'm surprised the pills did not make her eat. We gave Senorita something called Cypro (or was it Cipro--anyway, NOT the antibiotic, but a drug for cats. It might be an antihistamine which causes them to have an apetite. I really cannot remember).

Definitely get her to the vet tomorrow if you can possibly do it. If you cannot get out, then call the vet.

She is probably getting dehydrated. If she is dehydrated the vet can put some fluids under her skin which might help her. S/he might also suggest you can do this at home every other day or so. We did this and it wasn't too bad.

In the end, we were giving Senorita so many pills it was really horrible. We extended her life, but I don't think she felt well, and much as I hate to admit it, she did suffer in the end. Good for you for not letting her suffer. It truly is an act of love, even though it is heartbreaking.

I'm so sorry. Give your Baby a little scratch on the head from CA.

Susan

I am so sorry, I know how hard this is. It has not been long since I went through this with one of our elder kitties. If you have any diuretics for her, you should give them to her so she can eliminate, just in case she is having trouble.

Furbaby hugs for you.

Trin

Hugs to you & your kitty!

Donna (^_^)

Try some milk. Sometimes they will drink milk and that helps.

Dottie, I'm sorry you and your baby are going through this tough time. I hope you can get her to a vet real soon. hugs
Linda

My daughter went through this with her Kitty (her cat's name was actually 'Kitty') a few years ago. She was a young cat but suffered kidney failure. She had kidney stones and I paid for them to be able to have surgery for her but she didn't recover. She wouldn't eat or drink either, and in the end my daughter and son in law had to make that decision too. Kitty was still at the vet's (after surgery) and they went in and held and cuddled her and told her goodbye. It's one of the hardest things a loving pet owner has to do. I'm sorry you have to go through it. I think your Baby had been a very lucky and happy cat to have had you for 18 years to love and to be loved by. My heart goes out to all of you.

I've had several cats with kidney failure. If she's dehydrated, the vet can help with Intra-Venous fluids. I did that twice with my cat Sparky who was 20 years old. It helped for months, but at some point I realized there wasn't any chance she was getting better, and I was keeping her alive for myself. So I let her go peacefully to Rainbow Bridge. My current cat, Whisper, is 17 and has kidney, liver and thyroid failure. She's very thin and doesn't groom herself, so she's a mess, but she has a good appetite and is very affectionate. I know, based on her appearance and past experiences with cats, that she's not going to be with me much longer. Hope your cat gets good medical care soon. I'm sorry she's not well. God bless you both.

(((((Dottie))))))

I am going through that with my Tikki now. At least she started eating and drinking again but she is so thin. She has hyperthyroid and kidney failure. I am waiting until DS arrives on Wednesday to make any decisions. I was giving her fluids under her skin.

I know you will make lthe right decision if the time comes.....I so regret that I didn't with my old cat, Madame. Her last few days were not quality.

I'm very sorry, Dottie. I know how hard this is. I hope you can get her to the vet tomorrow.

We did what Jannie did with the IV fluids and it kept two old kitties with us for some extra time.

Until you can get her to the vet, please consider hand feeding her some room temperature or warm water with a couple of grains of salt in it. I've had luck putting water into kitty's mouth by spooning it in from a cup while she sits on a towel in my lap. (I used a plastic spoon in case it bumped into kitty's teeth.)

She'll let you know if and when it's time to let her go. My good thoughts are with you.

Small update on Baby....she has been drinking this afternoon. We have a little water fountain and she has been drinking from that. No food, though. I was thinking of trying milk but was afraid it would give her the runs and dehydrate her more. Maybe I will try giving her a teaspoon full and see how that goes. Thanks for kind thoughts. I know many of you have gone through this with your furbabies. Isn't it amazing how such a little creature can fill up our hearts. Dottie

Oh that's good to hear. Either way, I can tell you dehydration is a terrible thing. I was dehydrated about a year and a half ago and it's unbelievable. I never want to go through that again. Not eating is bad, but better than no fluids. One thought is possibly some wet bread? Might do double duty.

I've been where you are and it's so tough. I know you're a great person and will do what's right. My best to both of you. I know how it was when my little dog died and I only had him for a couple years. I felt like someone took a knife and gutted me! I tend to get too attached to animals too quickly. They do get us wrapped around their little paws, don't they? But they're such great company!

Hope the weather lets up so you can get around safely. Drive carefully!

You could try mashing up canned food real well and then swiping a bit inside her cheek. We had to do that with Senorita. It might kick-start the appetite.

Good to hear she's drinking.

You know I just went through the illness and loss of my cat, Spider. When he refused to eat anything else, he would eat baby food, the pureed meats, and enjoy it.

My heart is with you. I hope this is temporary so you can cuddle your furbaby a lot longer. If not, we are all holding your hand for moral support.

She may be nauseated from the buildup of toxins in her blood that the kidneys aren't flushing out.

Try giving her 1/4 tablet of regular Pepcid A/C. (Not the kind with the additional Calcium)

And you should talk to your vet about doing Subcutaneous fluids at home. Giving her the additional water will help keep her kidneys flushing the toxins out and make her feel better.

You can't cure kidney failure, but you can make it a whole lot better by keeping her hydrated and peeing out the toxins before they build up to the point of making her nauseous.

Good luck!

I'm sorry to hear that, Dotmom, but glad she's at least drinking now. I've had to treat a lot of sick animals and one thing that I can almost always count on them eating is boiled chicken. I even keep a few cans of chicken baby food on hand all the time. I put my finger in it and wipe it off on the roof of their mouth. If they won't eat that, then it is just about hopeless and time to make "the decision". I know it's hard. It is an act of kindness on your part tho.

I am so sorry to hear that your kitty is not feeling well. I think the fact that she's drinking now could be a good sign! Have you checked her litterbox? Has she been using it normally? Have you seen any blood?

(((((Baby and Dottie))))

Again, Thank you for your posts and advice. I gave baby a little milk last night and she licked some of that, then this mornign DH said she acted like she wanted to eat, and he gave her a little canned cat food and he said she ate some of it and when I got up she followed me into the kitchen and I gave her milk and she lapped at that. I'm going up to the store, as soon as our APT parking lot is plowed put and get some baby food. She has used the litter box, so guess her plumbing is working. I'm going to give the baby food a try and if there is not much improvement, I'll call the Vet. I know he will say bring her in, but his office call is almost $50. so, will have to try what I can for her before I take her in. Dottie

Keeping my fingers crossed that she just keeps improving with every hour Dottie. You are a very good Mom. It sounds encouraging that she's eating a little and drinking also. I'll be keeping a good thought for Baby.

Dottie,
I know firsthand how expensive the vet bills can be. From the symptoms you are describing, I think a vet visit is warranted. My friend's 21 year old cat just had the same symptoms. They took her to the vet and had a x-ray done. The cat had a lot of fluid in her lungs. It's important to know what's wrong so the animal doesn't have to suffer. Cat's are very good at hiding pain.
I hope it turns out to be nothing serious.
Donna

I had to check in and see how Baby's doing. Been wondering. Thanks for the update. Please keep us posted on how the little critter is doing. I'm glad to hear there's at least a little thirst and even appetite. I forgot all about baby food. I guess a pet owner should keep some around the house! Just in case.

Here's hoping for a speedy recovery and that Baby's soon demanding attention, food and drink! :)

And a hug to you too. And a soft pet and backrub to Baby.

Baby food is a great idea; a friend of mine did that for her Baby (kitty) for quite awhile and it worked well. Good luck to you, Dotmom. Her behavior sounds promising today!

I worked for a vet for several years...this does sound like maybe kidney trouble. 18 is a ripe age for a kitty. If she isn't drinking, she's in trouble. At this age I wouln't suggest that you put her through the terrible stress of having work done at the vet's office. It might be her time. Try to get some liquid into her. Food isn't as big a deal for a few days. Keep her warm. If she won't drink for more than 2 days you really do have to see a vet and you may be faced with a heart wrenching decision.

My thoughts are with you and your furry buddy.

Another thing I do when Tikki won't eat is to put some very warm water in a little dish and add a spoonful of canned food. The liquidy mixture seems to appeal to her. This was a suggestion from my vet. I always try to keep a little can of Prescription Science Diet A/D on hand. It is for sick cats.

You & Baby are in my thoughts. Glad she seems to be feeling a little better.

Glads she's drinking, even a little helps. Try some baby food, the pasty meat kind. That tempted my cat Sparky when she was near the end of life. God bless you both.

We have a 20 year old frail cat who goes through phases of eating/not eating. Often a change of food type helps.
If you give millk, give her lactose free milk. Motley used to be able to drink regular milk (cats are naturally lactose intolerant) but the last few years regular milk upsets her digestion horribly. She loves lactose-free milk, though and it doesn't seem to cause the internal upsets that regular does.

Well, its 1:00 AM and I can't sleep. We have decided to call the Vet in the morning. Baby has not eaten now, for four days. She has only drank some milk today. I braved the cold Monday morning (30 below) and went to the store and bought baby food, and she just sniffed at it. Later on in the day, I forced some in her but she struggled as much as she could, but she is so weak. Unless he has a miracle pill, it will be time. Thanks for all the kind words and advice. Dottie

Oh I know how that can spoil a night and many days. My thoughts are with you both. Still hoping for the best.

Oh Dottie. Keep us posted and good luck at the vets! Sometimes they do have a miracle pill.
(((Dottie)))

Dotmom
I'm saying a prayer for you and your baby. I know how hard it is....our pets are so vunerable and depend on us for everything.

(HUGS))
SamKaren
your resident DJ