Appetite Stimulation - need ideas desperately

[Russian Blue]

My first thought after what you described is to make sure Nipo knows she is in a safe environment first. As someone already mentioned, what about secluding her to one safe small area or room? What about adding something calming like Bach's Rescue Remedies or a Feliway diffuser? Modifing the behaviour will be one step in helping your cat to get back to a regular routine.
Remember also, that cats are very sensitive creatures. So if you are frustrated to tears your cat will pick up on these vibes from you as well.

It seems you are doing everything in your power to make the changes that are needed, please keep us updated on what your vet suggests. Sending calming vibes to the both of you.

[Uniqueviking]

I also recommend the Feliway diffuser.

It really helped my babies when they were mourning the loss of Beans (relieved stress and soothed).

[Lizzie]

I've been through this also and I know how your life becomes utterly focused on getting your beloved cat to eat. I agree with Jen that moving to a more aggressive treatment of force feeding may well kick-start Nipo into eating by herself. This could take 4-5 days, a week, perhaps two. I use A/D and try to get down one can a day. This takes about 3 feedings of 50-60cc a day depending on how fluid you want to make the mix. I've done this several times and it's always worked for me, even when it's taken a couple of weeks of feeding and I was near despair. Have you checked her liver values? A depressed appetite can lead to a fatty liver and then it's really hard to get a cat to start eating again.

A friend of mine always uses baby food and swears by it though it's never worked for me. I also heard of a cat that was brought back to eating by being given cheesecake, the only thing it would eat. All the rules about what a cat should and shouldn't eat go out of the window when you are faced with one who is starving itself.

As others have suggested, can you put her in a room by herself with a variety of foods, something I've also done with success. If she likes being in your bedroom, can you shut her in there during the day with several dishes of food? Using this method also stops you from hovering over her, watching every morsel she eats and may reduce the stress on both of you.

I sincerely hope you can pull Nipo out of this. She's very beautiful and reminds me of my Shahdee.
Good luck!

[AbbyMom]

My little RB Quasar lost interest in eating, too. Finally resorted to Winstrol, a type of steroid. The vet initially gave a shot of some type of steroid and then I put the Winstrol in her food for the rest of her life, I think about six years, until I lost her to kidney failure. These days, the vets have better ideas about why cats don't feel like eating, but back then they didn't. They just treated the symptoms. But it did work.

Good luck to you.

[Kater]

Nipo will have a "squeezed in" appt. later this afternoon. (Dr. A is booked solid as one of our vets is currently out of town.) Thanks for all your responses – I have compiled some notes with my ideas, your ideas and other ideas I found online. You have all given me lots of great suggestions! I will try to respond individually later.
I hope to have a positive update posted soon! *feeling more hopeful*
Kater

[Queen of Poop]

I don't have a cat (wish I did), so don't have any first hand experience. But with my ferret (hurting from the loss of his life buddy almost 1 month ago) Sebastian I'm giving him "duck soup". He has gone completely off of his ferret kibble, treats, etc. He will however eat the "duck soup". This consists of one jar of chicken broth baby food, one can of vanilla ensure and one cup of whipping cream, not whipped. I also add ferret vitamins to help keep him healthy. He loves this stuff and cannot say no to it. Perhaps this mix might be sweet and rich enough to entice your sweet baby to try some. I'm sorry, I cannot offer more than this but I send prayers for you both.

[barncat]

Some of mine have liked cream of chicken soup... Often something with a strong scent will interest them.... good luck.

[kb2yjx]

Hve you tried BUTTER??? Good luck, you are dong all you can do nd will be sending prayers your way!