Cat Issues Redux

[BrianL]

When my cat is having digestive issues, I pulverize her dry food and mix a bit of jarred baby food (usually beef) in with it.

Yeah, the ultrasound ruled out a lot of things, so now it's really just the tummy issues. She is still on antibiotic - last dose tomorrow - once that's through we hope to see it get back to normal now that any infection is cleared.

Last time she was sick, I tried some turkey based baby-food. She wasn't into it - but, man, was that stuff nasty!

 

[badiggio]

If you haven't already,get some nutri-cal asap for your cat.it replaces the vitamins and minerals your cat is missing and losing when not eating and being nauseous as well as diarrhea.I got some for my cat years ago when we had most of her teeth pulled and she wasn't eating.what a change.now she's 15 and has developed allergies to chicken and probably all poultry,so i avoid going that route.What a nightmare trying to find something that she likes and as someone mentioned already,changing foods constantly will cause nausea and diarhea.could also be the food your cat was eating has changed the formula;companies are notorious for doing that to cut expenses.to help with diarhea we use FIRM UP,once in a while and find it works well when needed.Good Luck

 

[BrianL]

So, here's where we're at. After the course of antibiotics, she seemed to be doing a lot better, but I feel like I have noticed some backsliding. The doctor said that sometimes infections can be persistent. The diarhea is a bit better though as I am noticing more well-formed poo, though maybe not completely. I had mentioned that she drinks a ton of water, and it certainly seems that way, but he asked me to track it specifically, and I found that in the last 24 hourse, she drank 4 oz. which isn't really all that much. She isn't eating her dry food as well, but seems to like wet and treats. She does seem to still "want something" sometimes that I can't give her. Otherwise, she is playful and active - reasonably enough for a cat that age anyway. The vet says we may try a little steroid shot that could help her eat more and straighten out anything else too, but he wanted me to track water consumption for a few days.

 

[Imzadi]

Track how much wet food she is eating too. Many studies say to feed wet foods over dry as cats get most of their liquid intake in via the wet foods.

Your kitty IS showing signs of getting better. She's headed in the right direction, even if there has been some backsliding.

 

[BrianL]

Track how much wet food she is eating too. Many studies say to feed wet foods over dry as cats get most of their liquid intake in via the wet foods.

Your kitty IS showing signs of getting better. She's headed in the right direction, even if there has been some backsliding.

She is still eating her wet food pretty well and likes these new "gooey" treats I got for her. It's the dry she avoids. The vet did look at her teeth and we had a dental recently, so we don't think it's that. She does eat some dry food, just not as much as she used to. The weird thing is, I think she drank less water yesterday since I started measuring it, so I don't know.

We did go through this before - where she was just weridly sick and "off" for weeks, but then just kind of switched back on and got back to normal. I suspected the antibiotic shot last time, but we weren't sure.

 

[BrianL]

She doesn't usually get much wet food other than for "dinner" at about 4 PM and has dry all the time. The thing is, I just gave her a bit of wet food, which she did go after fairly well (though not all of it and it was just a spoonful). Not a minute later though she is whining at me - she wants something. I just don't know what. Something is wrong or bothering her. Even the fact that this plate doesn't look like it came out of the dishwasher it tellinh - little specks left (and it was a fresh can, not from the fridge!). Thats not typical. It's depressing.

 

[disneychrista]

Has the vet checked her teeth? Maybe it is painful to eat the dry food which may be why she is avoiding it.

 

[BrianL]

Has the vet checked her teeth? Maybe it is painful to eat the dry food which may be why she is avoiding it.

He did and didn't see much of anything concerning. . She had a dental less than two years ago. He doesn't think that's a major factor.

 

[mom2rtk]

I think the steroid shot is a good idea. Sometimes it's just hard to know what's going on since they are so good at covering up. Our vets are old school and often will try a steroid shot when we can't pin anything specific down.

 

[BrianL]

I think the steroid shot is a good idea. Sometimes it's just hard to know what's going on since they are so good at covering up. Our vets are old school and often will try a steroid shot when we can't pin anything specific down.

I know steroids work wonders - they do for me! I also know that you can't use them too frequently, but it's been a couple of years since she has had a shot of prednisone. I will check on that - I think that is going to be the direction we go.

 

[Micca]

Thanks for the update Brian. I checked the thread several times over the weekend to see if you had posted any news. Hang in there!

 

[BrianL]

Thanks for the update Brian. I checked the thread several times over the weekend to see if you had posted any news. Hang in there!

Well, it was going better for a while, so I wasn't updating too much.

 

[BrianL]

I haven't updated in a while because things have just kind of been the same. She still seems "off" and yet, I don't know what's really wrong. Maybe she's just old and feeling it. The vet is reasonably happy with her stability. He thinks she is drinking a lot of water, about 6 oz a day. We did do a prednisone shot on Wednesday, and it's only been a few days - I am not sure I am seeing a huge improvement yet though. She is eating more, but still kind of finicky about what. Dry food remains unpopular, though sometimes she goes for it. Her nausea medicine does seem to help - when I hold off on giving it to her she may seem worse, but it's so hard to tell. Cats, man - they just can't be predictable!

My problem these days is feeling that my life is on hold. I can't get away from it, in thoughts nor action. Things like taking a trip are off the table, but then I realize she could be like this for a long time - years. I'd love for her to be around for years too! I'm the one who can't handle it though, and it's driving me a little crazy. In many ways, she's "fine" - but I also know she's not "right" if that makes any sense, and that occupies my mindshare.

 

[Micca]

In the absence of helpful suggestions...get an opinion from another vet? I think your point about her being like this for a long time is a distinct possibility, you shouldn't have to live with constant worry in the meantime. Is there anyone you trust that could come & look in on her if you go out of town, or even leave the house for a day? Try to hang in there.

 

[evilmommie]

You’re doing everything right. She’s stable, she’s eating, and she’s under veterinary care. You don’t have to solve everything today.

One thing that might help ease your mind over time is starting to look for reliable pet sitters who have experience with animals that need special care. You can interview a few while you’re still close to home and actively monitoring her, so you build trust gradually. It doesn’t mean you’re going anywhere right away… it just gives you options and a little more freedom mentally.

 

[BrianL]

You’re doing everything right. She’s stable, she’s eating, and she’s under veterinary care. You don’t have to solve everything today.

One thing that might help ease your mind over time is starting to look for reliable pet sitters who have experience with animals that need special care. You can interview a few while you’re still close to home and actively monitoring her, so you build trust gradually. It doesn’t mean you’re going anywhere right away… it just gives you options and a little more freedom mentally.

Yeah - she just goes through phases. Like earlier she didn't eat much of "dinner" - but she has rounded back over and grazed several times so it's now mostly gone. She just sems to not like the solids too much. Other than just being a little vocal and clingy, she seems okay though. I do know that a lot of the issue is me - in my head. I am a high-anxiety type, and, yeah, peace of mind is elusive. It isn't a bad idea to have someone - it's not that easy to find though.

In the absence of helpful suggestions...get an opinion from another vet? I think your point about her being like this for a long time is a distinct possibility, you shouldn't have to live with constant worry in the meantime. Is there anyone you trust that could come & look in on her if you go out of town, or even leave the house for a day? Try to hang in there.

I really do trust my vet, but there's only so many tests you can do. Initial blood work did indicate an infection, but follow-up work showed that more normal. The water/urine thing is the only thing that is concering. I do leave the house too - I go to the office a couple days a week and all. I jsut don't think I could be "away" too long.

 

[evilmommie]

Yeah - she just goes through phases. Like earlier she didn't eat much of "dinner" - but she has rounded back over and grazed several times so it's now mostly gone. She just sems to not like the solids too much. Other than just being a little vocal and clingy, she seems okay though. I do know that a lot of the issue is me - in my head. I am a high-anxiety type, and, yeah, peace of mind is elusive. It isn't a bad idea to have someone - it's not that easy to find though.

I hear you. I went through something similar with my dog after a severe lung infection…she later developed seizures, and it took me a while to feel comfortable trusting anyone else with her care.

Hang in there, it’s clear how much you care about her. Keep moving forward by asking around for referrals and share your situation with friends as well. It’s great you’re on the Dis letting us know what going on! Having support from people who understand makes a big difference.

 

[Suger Mag]

Yeah - she just goes through phases. Like earlier she didn't eat much of "dinner" - but she has rounded back over and grazed several times so it's now mostly gone. She just sems to not like the solids too much. Other than just being a little vocal and clingy, she seems okay though. I do know that a lot of the issue is me - in my head. I am a high-anxiety type, and, yeah, peace of mind is elusive. It isn't a bad idea to have someone - it's not that easy to find though.



I really do trust my vet, but there's only so many tests you can do. Initial blood work did indicate an infection, but follow-up work showed that more normal. The water/urine thing is the only thing that is concering. I do leave the house too - I go to the office a couple days a week and all. I jsut don't think I could be "away" too long.

Hang in there. it is hard, but we love them and do what we need to. I understand. I have a senior dog (16+) who cannot be boarded or pet sat.... longer or full family vacations have been on hold for a couple of years now as it has to be either myself, my daughter, or my husband watching her.

With cats, sometimes it takes them awhile to get back into the swing of eating, and their "tastes' may change permanently. I had a cat stop eating and after all the vetting, special foods, and anti nausea etc. ..... although she started eating reliably again.... her tastes had changed. She never went back to dry food in the same way... only certain flavors of Fancy Feast would do.

Thank you for the update. I was thinking of you and hoping it was going better.