Panther is acting wierd..updated..not good

[Craftlady]

I'm guessing there is a very slight hint of onion powder in the baby food. It does surprise me that it's even in there in first place.

You can also try a can of stinky wet food (fish flavor).

I actually just used cooked rice and mixed it with a small amount of wet food and fed it to Skinny. His appetite came back within 2 days. Now he looks at me like "arent you hand feeding me anymore mom" LOL

[fragrancehound]

He won't eat. I've tried wet food, dry food, and Gerber sweet potato baby food (it didn't contain any onion powder) Right now I am force feeding him water with a dropper. I want to make sure he stays hydrated. He only threw up once since he has been home so I am hopeful that he is done with vomiting.

[Craftlady]

He won't eat. I've tried wet food, dry food, and Gerber sweet potato baby food (it didn't contain any onion powder) Right now I am force feeding him water with a dropper. I want to make sure he stays hydrated. He only threw up once since he has been home so I am hopeful that he is done with vomiting.

I had to force hand feed Skinny, he'd take couple bites at a time. Try that.

[fragrancehound]

Sorry for the stupid question but how do you force hand feed a cat?

I tried putting some wet food on a spoon and he turned away. I then tried puting just a dab on top of his nose and did lick it off but when I tried it again he wiped his nose.

Any tips would greatly be appreciated.

[Craftlady]

Sorry for the stupid question but how do you force hand feed a cat?

I tried putting some wet food on a spoon and he turned away. I then tried puting just a dab on top of his nose and did lick it off but when I tried it again he wiped his nose.

Any tips would greatly be appreciated.

Take small amount of food and put it in cats mouth, it will get alittle messy and watch your fingers, keep putting what falls out back in the cats mouth eventually they figure out the food tastes pretty good.

[fragrancehound]

Looks like I will be headed back to the vet tomorrow. Panther will not eat or drink and he threw up again. I've been force feeding him water through a dropper. I couldn't get any food in him. My poor baby has been through so much.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so sorry to hear this. I've been reading your thread about him but I haven't replied until now. I sure hope that the vet will be able to find out what is wrong with him. Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are being sent his way.

[fragrancehound]

Panther did eat a few pieces of dry food this morning but not much. He has not thrown up since yesterday so I'm hoping he is doing better.

I did take him to my vet today. She gave him more fluids and a pill to help increase his appetite. He has lost almost 1 lb. since Friday from him not eating.

The bloodwork and x-rays are coming back fine but she is concerned that there might be something else going on with his health, maybe even related to the tumor that was just removed. I might have to take him back to the specialty vet to have an ultrasound.

[fragrancehound]

It's not looking too good for Panther. I spent the entire day at the specialty vet clinic and they performed a series of tests including an ultrasound, urinalysis, checkup, and bloodwork. Panther is dehydrated and anemic from all the vomiting and loss of appetite. They think he either has IBD or stomach cancer but can't tell until a biopsy is done. They wanted to keep him overnight to run more tests and put him on an iv but it was going to cost me between $1,200 to $2,400 not including the biopsy which would have cost an additional $1,000. I just could not afford it. I have spent over $3,000 in the last 2 months with vet bills and I am broke. My credit cards are almost maxed out with this latest set of health problems. My bf is having some of his own unexpected financial problems and couldn't loan me the money either. In any event they gave Panther several injections including pepcid, fluids to keep him hydrated, and an anti-nausea injection. He is home with me now but is so lethargic and he threw up again. I gave him some pedilyte so I hope that helps.

I am so upset. I just don't know what to do. If he doesn't eat or drink his liver is going to have trouble. I've been crying all night long. All the injections and pills given to him are temporary band aids that aren't even working. What else can I do to keep him hydrated and increase his appetite?

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so sorry to hear that Panther is still very sick. This brings back some sad memories of my RB Pepper. I tried everything for him and he just couldn't keep anything down and he was getting worse. I finally made the difficult decision to have him put to sleep. He was almost 6 years old so he was still a very young cat. My vet even did a free necropsy and he still couldn't find out what had caused his illness.

You can give Panther some sub-q fluids to help keep him hydrated. If he wasn't vomiting so much I'd also suggest some appetite stimulant pills to help his appetite but he probably wouldn't be able to keep these down. Have you tried to force feed him yet? My vet recommend using Hills Prescription A/D wet food and diluting it with water. Then you can fill a few large syringes with it and squirt these into your cats mouth. You usually get more on the cat than in the cat though. I really don't know what else to tell you. I hope that Panther will start improving soon. Lots more prayers and positive thoughts are being sent your way. Please take care.

[fragrancehound]

I can't sleep. Panther has received several SQ Fluids injections but I don't think that is enough to keep him hydrated.

Where can I find sub-q fluids to give him? Also, where can I buy syringes? I never thought about adding water to wet cat food. I will have to try that tomorrow.

Sorry for all the questions but my head is spinning and my heart is heavy right now. I'm sure you understand.