Food for foster question

**Randy_K** · 05-30-2006, 02:51 AM

Many of the cats adopted by my family as I was growing up were cats whose owners had died and the family or whomever cleaned out the house left these older cats to fend for themselves. Like, "Sorry, kid. Your home is gone." It must be hard on them to loose everything all at once but they respond to the slightest kindness with true affection and become the best pets. They still have a lot of life left in them if someone cares.

**CultureJunky** · 05-30-2006, 03:08 AM

Oh I'm so glad you've adopted him though, fancy putting a cat down because of it's age, that's just so annoying

It's the same with old people, people think they're not worth anything anymore, grrrrrrrrrrrr.
Could we see a pictures of your new friend by any chance?

**kitten645** · 05-30-2006, 05:24 AM

His pic is posted above...too big I know but I couldn't figure out how to resize it

Bit of a cyber dummy here...LOL. Thanks all for your good wishes. He is a sweet guy.

Kitten

**emily_the_spoiled** · 05-30-2006, 09:39 AM

You might want to give the 9-lives tuna a try. It has a consistency that is rather mushy and the cats seem to just lick it rather than having to chew on anything.

**Lizzie** · 05-30-2006, 10:35 AM

Thank you for snatching Smudgie from the jaws of death and taking him home.

It's amazing how much cats will eat even when they are in extreme mouth pain, so I also think there are other issues. I adopted an elderly FIV+ cat recently that had a bloody mouth full of rotten teeth and it was nearly a week before they could remove them all. He was put on antibiotics for the mouth infection and that really helped after a few days. He ate from the start, but his mouth seemed to hurt less once the antibiotics kicked in. Can your vet prescribe Amoxi to use while you wait for surgery? I used Fancy Feast also, the gourmet selection so there are no pieces, and I mushed it up with plenty of hot water. A/D, which you will need to get from the vet, is very high calorie and most cats really like it. When I'm force feeding it to one of my cats, the other cats stand around trying to lick up the mess.

I tried the gravy, not one cat out of 9 liked it. It didn't look all that good either when I poured it over the food so I wasn't surprised.

Did the vet say there was thyroid enlargement? Sometimes even the T4 test won't show the true level of hyperthyroidism, but most of the time it's correct.

Smudgie is a flame point so has plenty of Siamese in him, which does mean that his feelings are very keen. I adopted a Siamese in her teens last year (fortunately the shelter removed most of her rotten teeth) and she was frighteningly thin. Even during the first week in my home, while she was in isolation, she ate only enough to keep herself alive. But once the shocks of losing her home, life in a shelter, moving to my home wore off, she really blossomed. Given time, care and attention (which you are already providing), I am sure that Smudge will blossom also.

**kitten645** · 05-30-2006, 07:55 PM

It could be he's still upset. My boys aren't exactly lovey dovey with him but the tolerate him with no hisses etc. I tried 9lives and he ate it for a few cans but then he stopped. I may try it again. I'd like to find one food and stick with it so he doesn't get an upset stomach and I can monitor his poopies more consistently. The woman at Petco told me that different foods produce different bacteria so to try to introduce new foods gradually..unfortunately when he decides he doesn't want something, he doesn't want something period!!

Dr didn't mention an enlarged tyroid but I'll try to call him and ask. Like I said he isn't the most forthcoming with info!! I think I can get amoxi from the shelter.
I had a part siamese before (though he was a tuxie). Thankfully Smudge doesn't talk nearly as much as Jersey did!!
Thanks again everyone!