Hello,
I am new here and just wondered if anybody has 2 cents to put in to my situation. I'll try and keep this as short as possible. About a week ago our cat went through a major procedure in which half of his tongue was removed due to a cancerous growth. He is 13 and very full of life but when he eats it's very messy and he can no longer lap water. His grooming is also bad but he tries so hard! The vet obviously suggested we put him to sleep as his quality of life without half a tongue will suffer. We didn't want to give up that easy as he is still alert and very alive. My questions: Anybody out there ever been through this? If so, does anyone want to share any techniques (other than syringes or tubes) for getting some water into him? This seems to be his biggest frustration. He sits at the water bowl and just looks at it. Then I catch him in the toilet! He wants to be able to have a drink so bad! Can a cat lead a relatively normal life with half of a tongue? Will he somehow adapt to his disability and be able to drink on his own? This is so heart-wrenching! Any ideas?
Our cat just had half of his tongue removed! (glossectomy)
i thinkk this " he is still alert and very alive"c
very well...there is not a darn thing you can do about the situation except help the cat to learn..i have seen two cats like this and they finally learned to "suck " fluids in...there is no protocal for this except to take it day by day....cats are tough critters and he shall survive (with your help of course)
I concur with Davet, I've treated many cats with less of a tongue and they do seem to be able to learn, in time, you have to be patient, and willing to work with them, almost like teaching how to eat again.
Try providing very shallow dishes, for both food and water, this will lessen the need for his mouth having to 'reach'. Also try canned food instead of dry, especially during the recovery stage. Hill's Rx A/D is perfect for this, but your kitty will let you know what he prefers.
At this point in time, during recovery, you will need to use the syringes to ensure he is getting adequate amounts, to ensure his hydration and nutritional status. Don't get discouraged, he will be willing to learn when the time is right for him. Messy doesn't mean anything right now, you have to expect messy for alittle while, just gently clean the outside of his mouth after each meal so that he doesn't develop sores or feline acne.
Hang in there, and if ever in doubt, maybe see another vet.
Try providing very shallow dishes, for both food and water, this will lessen the need for his mouth having to 'reach'. Also try canned food instead of dry, especially during the recovery stage. Hill's Rx A/D is perfect for this, but your kitty will let you know what he prefers.
At this point in time, during recovery, you will need to use the syringes to ensure he is getting adequate amounts, to ensure his hydration and nutritional status. Don't get discouraged, he will be willing to learn when the time is right for him. Messy doesn't mean anything right now, you have to expect messy for alittle while, just gently clean the outside of his mouth after each meal so that he doesn't develop sores or feline acne.
Hang in there, and if ever in doubt, maybe see another vet.
..........Traci
A question for Traci and davet.....
Would letting the cat learn how to drink from the kitchen fawcet be easier for it to drink than lapping from a bowl? I mean, if the water is running downward with the force of gravity would it be easier for a disabled cat to actually get the water in it's mouth and drink this way? Just a thought. 3 of mine really love drinking from a gently running stream of water from the sink and I often thought to myself it must be easier and funner than lapping from a bowl and bringing it up into the mouth from that angle. Also this disabled cat might be encouraged to try because cats seem to love the motion of the water. I do know somebody who rescued an abused cat with a split tongue and it eats and drinks fine.
Poor kitty.
Sara
Poor kitty.
Sara
Sara and her 6 kitties. Clover , Saharan, Mona, Negrito, Nando and Silvestre (Vest/The Vest).
I'm so sorry about your kitty. I hope things will improve and he will adapt just fine, they are amazing creatures.
Have you tried an eye dropper rather than a syringe? I used to give one of my cats who needed additional water (and refused to drink it for a while) droppers full of water on and off throughout the day, he got very used to the idea of just kind of letting it dribble ...my Vet at the time even suggested a water bottle (the kind they put in hamster cages) hung somewhere he could easily get to...he didn't go for it but they are very inexpensive and might work for your kitty.
Keep trying, I hope all will be ok.
Have you tried an eye dropper rather than a syringe? I used to give one of my cats who needed additional water (and refused to drink it for a while) droppers full of water on and off throughout the day, he got very used to the idea of just kind of letting it dribble ...my Vet at the time even suggested a water bottle (the kind they put in hamster cages) hung somewhere he could easily get to...he didn't go for it but they are very inexpensive and might work for your kitty.
Keep trying, I hope all will be ok.
Traci,
Just a short update, (he is asleep in my lap as I write this) He seems to be eating his wet food just fine. However, if I don't catch him and clean his mouth before he starts his grooming routine, he smears food all over himself. I have been brushing and wiping his face down with a washcloth but it doesn't seem to do much. The fur around his face is becoming very sticky, matted and stinky. Are there any products out there that you would suggest I might use to help him keep clean around his mouth? I don't want to just put anything around there. As far as keeping him hydrated, I heard him about a half hour ago meowing, I got up to see what was up, and there he was sitting on the toilet seat looking frustrated that he couldn't get a drink. I've watched him at the water bowl and he is going through the motions but not getting any water. I am trying to teach him to drink from the tap in the sink but he just stares at the running water. I'm hoping he'll eventually stick his mouth down there and try to catch some! He is very smart! We have 3 other cats in the house and 2 of them already do this to perfection and have done so for a long time, as a matter of fact it's the only way the one of the two will drink! I wish one of his brothers would show him how it's done. I have been getting some water in him with a small syringe and an eye dropper. I do have to hold him against his will to do this and he gets VERY upset with me! I know he'll figure something out on his own sooner or later. No one is giving up! Thanks again for listening and I'll update in a few days.
Just a short update, (he is asleep in my lap as I write this) He seems to be eating his wet food just fine. However, if I don't catch him and clean his mouth before he starts his grooming routine, he smears food all over himself. I have been brushing and wiping his face down with a washcloth but it doesn't seem to do much. The fur around his face is becoming very sticky, matted and stinky. Are there any products out there that you would suggest I might use to help him keep clean around his mouth? I don't want to just put anything around there. As far as keeping him hydrated, I heard him about a half hour ago meowing, I got up to see what was up, and there he was sitting on the toilet seat looking frustrated that he couldn't get a drink. I've watched him at the water bowl and he is going through the motions but not getting any water. I am trying to teach him to drink from the tap in the sink but he just stares at the running water. I'm hoping he'll eventually stick his mouth down there and try to catch some! He is very smart! We have 3 other cats in the house and 2 of them already do this to perfection and have done so for a long time, as a matter of fact it's the only way the one of the two will drink! I wish one of his brothers would show him how it's done. I have been getting some water in him with a small syringe and an eye dropper. I do have to hold him against his will to do this and he gets VERY upset with me! I know he'll figure something out on his own sooner or later. No one is giving up! Thanks again for listening and I'll update in a few days.