Help Please! Cat won't eat

Kittylover2 · New member Joined: 26 Sep 2006 Posts: 7

Hello...I have a precious Himalayan male, 11 yrs old that just quit eating.... then he got a horrible infestation of fleas...looks like we got the flea problem taken care of but he still won't eat..goes to his bowl..loooks at it like he wants to take bit and backs off...he sounds hoarse when he meows but the Vet said he had no sores or bad throat...any suggestions would be appreciated....I am trying NOT to have him put down, and he is just skin and bones under that beautiful fur.

Chezza · Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 9:16 am Post subject:

Where did he get the flea infestation from Question

Poor mite.. Mmm if he hasnt got a soar throat, maybe a tummy upset, has he eaten anything outside, or something poiseness maybe..Maybe the vet can get a blood test done, to make sure alls ok with that bit... Has there been any changes in his diet???
Being that age, thay should of done a all round check for him..
Maybe get a second opinion.. Hope he gets better..

Kittylover2 · New member Joined: 26 Sep 2006 Posts: 7

Thank You for your Reply, Chezza! Have no idea where the fleas came from but I am fighting them ALL OVER the house....(we had stray kittens I bathed in the house and they may have come from that a few weeks ago!! they had them...I should have done it OUTSIDE!) He's been at the Vet for 5 days...they said he was s**k dry and no blood!! he had a transfusion as a last resort and bounced back but still will NOT EAT...he tries, so he still has an WILL to eat but backs off.....He WILL drink and piddle...no other in about a week now......he has a bad habit of eating PLASTIC....and I see holes in 2 plastic tableclothes ...could be the dye in them???? I noticed white before in his litter (he won't use his box...only paper next to it (on top of plastic) ...he would chew on a lot of WEIRD stuff but I can't keep the house empty of "weird" stuff....
The VET seemed to have checked him for all other ills....2nd opinion might be in order, you are right....while we have him..... I lost 2 long-hair domestic to that liver disease when they stopped eating......
thanks again....

Kittylover2 · New member Joined: 26 Sep 2006 Posts: 7

Just wanted you to know, with the flea problem...We tried the natural way.....didn't work, so used that carpet flea powder....later even SEVIN...when it bothered US....I vacumned and vacumed, changed the bag...(lots were in it) and a new one...then got some KNOCKOUT from the Vet's office....it is to good for 7 months...but has the Natural ingred in it...then put the bright light over the soapy white dish during the night to see how it did...still fleas in it...less, but still was a surprise.....the Vet said we had a hatch and the KNOCKOUT killed the eggs too.....we are trying...NEXT will be the exterminator!!!!!!!

These hot days....I should have been bathing the cats OUTSIDE.....this poor cat has been treated for months with FRONTLINE....so maybe he was weak to begin with???? I am so glad they had his records from 6 yrs ago and could see how he regressed but pray he will survive...I fear it has gone too long now.

Chessmind · Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 4:05 pm Post subject:

Hi. Welcome to Auspet. Sorry your cat is not doing well. If your vet doesn't know what is wrong with him, I would take him to another vet. If he's not eating that is very serious. Please get him to another vet right away.

Kittylover2 · New member Joined: 26 Sep 2006 Posts: 7

thank you for your help....my vet just says he is too weak to test...but severely anemic....I brought him home today...he goes to his food but won't eat...I am afraid he is shutting down. I lost a lovely long-haired Domestic years ago to Leukemia and this one is acting very similar and has NOT had his shots...he had too much of a reaction to them so hasn't had shots in years....he just wants to be quiet and let alone....he finally realized he WAS home. Thanks for the suggestions...

Chezza · Posted: Wed Sep 27, 2006 5:00 am Post subject:

Im so sorry to hear all this, please let us know what happens, I really hope he will pull up and be ok...
Maybe take him to another vet???Have you checked him for ticks, them b.uggers can hide in places that are hard to see..Like in ears, gums, under there legs.

Kittylover2 · New member Joined: 26 Sep 2006 Posts: 7

Thanks for the suggestions....No ticks....fleas are gone now.....tried all day and night to use a dropper to get ANYTHING down him ...he really fought it and spit it out....Vet said his mouth was NOT sore...sure seemed suspicious....but he didn't use his box ALL DAY...(nothing in - of course, nothing out)....it seemed to take him 6 hrs to realize he was HOME...and when he saw the kitchen light on...he walked and went up and down 2 flights of stairs........this cat wouldn't take more than 4 steps now in a week!!! We just loved him and petted him all day and night til he acted like "give me some peace"...(which was often).....this am he is still breathing but like a little limp rag....my heart is just breaking.....you mentioned another vet....the only one w/i 50 miles is one I lost another cat too....and refused to ever go back...that cat was mis-diagnosed and I warned them if he got alert he would die of a heart attack being surrounded by all the dogs....and he did!!!! so a $174 bill and my cat back in a box...never go there again.... they took a blood test yesterday and to call me back with results...maybe it will show kidney failure or leukemia THIS time????? We have 4 other cats..a red tabby, lovely tiger mixture with the extra toes (we got from the animal shelter) ....a long-hair domestic calico , 6 toes- 18 yrs old (her three brothers died of the liver disease one was 30 lbs and 7 toes), and a stray muted calico LEFT.... so I WILL be on the forum more often....thanks so much.....I AM so glad I found you all....people just don't understand unless they are cat lovers....

Chezza · Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2006 5:53 am Post subject:

How are the blood tests going?????? Did they find out anything???
Did anything show up... I hope he has managed to eat something, he cant go on much longer not eating, he'l lose all his strength, if he still isnt eating, maybe they thats the vets can keep him in and put him on sort of drip, or feeder.. Question

Kittylover2 · New member Joined: 26 Sep 2006 Posts: 7

well...the blood tests show he is holding his own, but NOT improving...still not making new red blood cells...but not slipping as expected either...they will wait a couple of days to see...I took him in today for an IV....didn't think the dropper every two hrs I have been giving him was enough....he did urinate today...but not in h is litter box....inside his carrier! He's been on a drip since he went in last week....the vet says the only thing to do is a feeding tube, but it would be for the rest of his life......IF he continues NOT to eat. (he's down to 7.7 lbs) My cousin just wrote me she had a cat do that and it was because he had a stroke and couldn't swallow afterwards!!! I notice I have to let his antibotic and water and chicken soup, etc. SLIDE down his throat...he won't swallow...and I sure don't want to stress him out....but right now seems to be the ONLY alternative to???? I am wondering if it is the FEline leukemia....in humans, if not making red blood cells or lack thereof...usually is a sign...right? Vet said he was very anemic and may have been for some time. So I still have a day or two to tryyyyy...unless he gets in pain. Thanks!

Chezza · Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2006 7:56 am Post subject:

Im so sorry, this is so sad, my sympathies are with you, it must be so hard to watch him not being well..
My thoughts are with you..