Great news about Simon

[janelle]

No I don't think I will know if he stops pulling until the hair starts to grow back in. Only time will tell on that.

I really don't care if he needs to do that if it easies his anxiety or whatever just as long as he starts to gain weight, which he should if he keeps his food down. Thanks so much.

[janelle]

Well Simon is off his food again. Now he is skin and bones. Took him back to the vet 3 days ago. They gave him a shot of steroids. If he had IBS it should make the inflammation go away and he will start to eat again. So far he isn't so we are force feeling him. We are also giving him a tab of steroids but so far haven't seen any improvement. He hasn't had liver issues so can be thankful about that.

I guess I need to know just how much doctoring I should put him through. I told my hubby as long as we can help him I think we should do it but we can't be out a lot of money and him not getting better at all. I think surgery would be out since it is so expensive.

He hates to be forced fed and hides. Tonight we could hardly find him, he hides in a new place so we can't find him easy. It breaks my heart to force him to take meds and food but still see him whither away.

What have you done when you were faced with this---anyone?

[Medusa]

I've not had to force feed any of my cats so far but I just wanted to give you my encouragement. I know how rough it must be for you and Simon. Keep the faythe.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm sorry to hear this. I had a cat,Starr, who had IBD with severe diarrhea and he was on the pill form of prednisolone. Sadly I had to end up putting him down on 7-1-09 because his poor little body was starting to give out.

Now my oldest cat Storm who will be 14 in Jan. has also been diagnosed with IBD but he vomits. He's also been taking pred in pill form but was still having some problems until I also started giving him pepcid at night. All if his blood work, x-rays, ultrasound looked fine so my vet is still a bit puzzled over why he was continuing to vomit. He's on 5mg of pred in the morning and 5mg of pepcid at night. The pred makes his very hungry. My vet doesn't like giving steroid shots in cases with IBD because she says they don't work as well as the pill form.

I've had to force feed a few cats in the past and it's not an easy thing to do. I've used Hills A/D which you can easily mix with water and then use a large syringe to squeeze it into the cats mouth. Usually more food goes on you and the cat than in their mouth though. I hope that things will get better. Good luck. Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are being sent your way.

[janelle]

I feel like I am just waiting until Simon's body gives out as well. So far he won't eat and hides when we go to give him meds. He is so smart he knows when it is time for them. Last night we looked all through the house for him and finally found him behind the desk in a little opening. He hates being forced fed so much. He weighs 8 pounds now down from 12 or more. A lot for a cat.

I opened a can of tuna (his favorite) a while ago but he won't even drink the liquid. He doesn't act like he is in pain though and just wants to hide away and sleep.

The vet looked at the inside of his ears and his third eyelid to see if it is turning yellow which means liver damage. So far it isn't.

He is on Hills A/D. We got the can food and force feeding him that. He still talks to us and is not in bad shape so I hate to end it for him. I hope he can perk up or the vet can do something for him. Thanks for the prayers and thoughts. It helps.