Help! 16yr.old cat not eating..has to be force fed

[Traci]

I apologize for being blunt, but I have to ask....why isn't your vet answering these questions for you??

I hope you can understand how difficult it is for us to advise when we don't truly know what your vet is saying or what his treatment approach is. As Davet mentions, the nasogastric tube does not require anesthesia, nor does an ECG or ultrasound. My only concern is the stress on kitty during these diagnostics, this is why stabilization comes first. What we're trying to say is that a nasogastric tube would probably give him much more support than force feeding at home. If kitty is not hospitalized, he needs to be hospitalized, and treated by a competent, caring vet who is committed to resolving these symptoms, getting kitty stabilized for further diagnostics so that nothing is left undetected. At this point, it doesn't sound like your vet even knows where to start, so maybe it's time for a second opinion and immediately at that.

[Guest]

The cat was diagnosed with hyperthyroid and a blocked valve in his heart of some sort, which subsequently causes him to have only a heart rate of 70. We were treating him with Tapazol to control the thyroid, and after controlling the the hyperthyroid apparently, he has now gone into this lethargic/non-eating mode. He is off the Tapazol for about a week now.

He has been in the vets office for 2 days...Ultra Sound, EKG, Blook Work, and X-Rays were performed. He does have elevated liver enzymes b/c he is not eating.

As of today....the cat is drinking water from a spoon, when offered, and does lick/semi-eat salmon when presented.

Tomorrow AM...the vet is being called re. the naso gastric tube. We just need him to get interested in eating on his own.

Any more feedback is much appreciated and welcomed.

Thanks

[Traci]

I suspected the liver enzymes would be elevated, and they can get worse from here, which is why we suggest the nasogastric tube, this bypasses the need for ingestion, chewing, etc, and will provide more nutritional/fluid support more than anything. You need to expect several days with the feeding tube, especially if the liver is compromised. When the tube is in place, you don't need to be concerned about kitty's appetite at this point, within a few days, and depending on his response and followup bloodwork, will determine when the tube should be removed.

My point is, he's not getting sufficient nutrition, probably no fluid support either, while it's good that he is showing slight interest in tuna, water, etc, this is not even nearly enough to support him. The liver can fail quite rapidly if enough protein and calories are not being taken in. Liver failure can occur in a matter of days, so this is why it's SO important to consider a feeding tube. Don't simply call your vet in the morning, demand a recheck and ask your vet to explain what to expect about the feeding tube and other supportive care.

[Holographic77]

The cat is going into the vet this evening for a re-evaluation. A liver enzymes check will be done, and the possibility of a feeding tube will be considered. The cat has been force fed now for almost a week. He does show periodic interest in salmon/tuna on a spoon, but just licks at it. He also drinks water when presented to him. He also purrs quite a bit.
I take these all as encouraging signs.

My questions...how long do you keep force feeding a cat? Will his appetite just jump start one day?

[Erica]

You'll want to force feed the cat until he is eating consistently on his own. Not occasionally taking a bite or two of salmon, but all out normal eating of his cat food. If you do a feeding tube, usually you wait a week or so after the cat is consistently eating. Traci or davet can probably give you more exact numbers and your vet can also tell you what he would recommend. I'm only running off what I was told when I had an esophagal tube placed in my cat, so it may be different with yours. I would very much suggest feeding Hills A/D right now. I know, with anorexic cats there is a risk of hepatic lipidosis, which can result in total liver failure and eventually death if not treated soon. You need to speak with your vet about that as I would hate for it to become one more complication for your cat.

[Holographic77]

Thanks for the reply. I'm really wondering how long it usually takes to "jump-start" a cats appetite again. How long do we go with the feeding tube. It's already been a week now of force feeding, with still no real interest.

[Erica]

On the individual cat & the situation. In my rescue, we had one cat on a feeding tube for...must have been 2 months. SOme cats have it gone in a few weeks. The point is, is that it will mean less stress on kitty (good thing), fewer scratches on you (another good thing) and will help you & the vet know that he is getting the proper amount of nutrition a day (a very good thing). With simple syringe feeding, most people are usually too stressed to worry about exactly how much they got into the cat. With a tube, you measure out a precise amount. In the case with my cat, she got a small amount at first, to adjust her to eating again, and then when she was used to it, she was getting 1 can of A/D spread throughout the day. It was convenient for me because when the vet asked how much has she been eating, I could tell her exactly how much.

[Holographic77]

2 months...whoa! The cat is currently being fed 100cc's a day of A/D cat food. He absolutely hates it, but we have no choice. He does welcome water when he has it in his face. Sleeps all day and is wasting away to nothing, no muscle, very frail.

I'll reply back after he's back from the vets tonite.

[Holographic77]

Sorry to say that we had to put the cat down this evening. His liver enzymes were off the chart, and the vet recommended we do it. Having the tube feeding would have required lots of time and $, and we along with the vet decided against it. It has been a hard past couple of weeks watching his decline. I think it was the right thing to do. He wasnt going to get better. He had shrivled up to nothing, just bones. He was completely dazed and didn't acknowledge us at all. He will me missed.

RIP Boomer: 1987-2003

[Traci]

***Tears*** ....I'm so very very sorry, my heart aches for you. I know you were so devoted to Boomer.

I hope it is comforting to know that you gave him a beautiful life, I'm sure he will take your love with him as he makes his new journey.....(((HUGS)))