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

[kate & kobi]

oh Holographic ... I'm so sorry! I've been reading your posts but haven't had any advice to give ... my thoughts are with you and Boomer on his journey over the bridge.

**hugs**

kate

[MA]

I too have been following this post, and I am sorry for your loss. Boomer's purring was more than likely from pain, as cats purr when they are in pain as well as when they are content. I am glad his pain has ended and sorry that yours has begun.

[Guest]

Thanks for the kind wishes. I am just suprised that nothing more could be done with him. Prior to all of this decline, he was showing tell tale signs of having a hyper-thyroid. Very vocal, odd behavior, very boney. So we took him into the vet for a complete physical. Results came back fine, other than being diagnosed with the hyperthyroidism. We put him on Tapazol and did this for 2-3 weeks, but after reducing the dosage as recommended, he begain to go downhill. Behavior changed, looked very dull in the eyes, slept in odd places, and most noticably gradually lost his appetite. We took him in, b/c we thought the meds. were upsetting his stomach. Tests were run, and we discontinued medication, he was subsequently diagnosed as having heart disease. Also, his liver had begun to take on fat and had a high count. We brought him home and was advised to try and feed him for 5 days. We tried so hard to coerce him into eating, trying everything from A/D to salmon to tuna on a spoon. He would show little interest, but would occasionaly lick the spoon and eat a small small portion. When water was presented in his face, he would lap up some. These were all encouraging signs to me. Mean while we were force feeding him via syringe to keep him alive, because of no interest on his part. His eyes stayed dull, he showed very little interest in anything, and didn't recognize us at all, although he would purr when petted. He had become a totally different cat.

I spent time with him today, hopelessly tempting him with food. I showered him with petting and praise. Hoping for the best. We took him to the vets and inquired about a feeding tube. His liver enzyme count was off the chart and the vet said nothing more could be done. There was no option for any type of sedation, as Boomer had a very low heart rate (diagnosed heart murmur). So any type of surgical procedures/steroids would have been out of the question. Having a feeding tube in him would've been a long shot according to the vet, and would've caused more stress than good, so we decided to put him down.

My only concern is that maybe more could have been done. But when do you draw the line? I feel guilty b/c we may have induced this sudden decline in health from giving him the Tapazol. The vet seems to think that the Tapazol corrected the thyroid, and thru this correction other problems manifested such as the heart disease. I'm just wondering what exactely caused him to stop eating, and could it have been reversed. Did the Tapazol cause his death? Would his appetite have ever come back?

These question I ask myself


I loved that cat dearly, and had a special bond with him that no one else in the family had. He was obdient/loyal to me like a dog. I can still remember the day we bought him in 1987 when I was 9 yrs. old, and the thrill of bringing him home. It's funny how much you become attached to a pet. The unconditional love is addiciting.

Any thoughts/feedback welcomed.

Love you Boomer!

[Traci]

I'm wondering why the tapazole was ceased, rather than simply reduce the dosage. It could have been a reaction to the cessation, combined with stress of the other problems. Or, that another secondary condition was surfacing and was just too much stress on his ability to heal. (i.e, maybe the heart)

Dont want to step on your vet's toes, but at the first sign of anorexia, I would have opted for a feeding tube right away, and as mentioned earlier, the naso-gastric tube doesn't require anesthesia, it can be placed within a matter of minutes, only requires gentle restraint.

Without seeing/feeling/examining your kitty, and seeing lab results, it's nearly impossible to guess here. It sounds like multiple problems occured and that as hard as he might have fought, he just may not have had the strength to endure.

Please don't beat yourself up over this, I'm sure Boomer knew you were doing everything you possibly could. Sometimes we just do not have control over what will be. I hope you can find peace in your heart that you shared many wonderful years with him....

[Guest]

Re. the Tapazol. The dosage was decreased, and immediately following that is when we noticed the lethargy and no appetite. We ended the Tapazol, and took him in, and everything went downhill.

I just hope we didn't contribute to his decline.

[Geoff]

we recently had two deaths in the family.. Greybear.. our 9 month old had Feline Leukemia when we got her. about a month before she died she started having liver problems. Her enzymes were all out of whack. in the end it came down to complete liver necropsy. (and we just found out earlier this week that it in fact was FIP). we had an esophigal feeding tube placed because she wouldnt even look at food. Though we forced a/d down her throat, it didnt do any good. she wasted away to nothingness. The same happened with Gabriel, our 5 month old Feluke, except we didnt put a feeding tube in, we just couldnt bare to put him through something that wouldnt help. They both died a week apart from each other.

point is. There comes a point when you have to draw the line and say enough is enough. The suffering has to end. As a parent to a furrbaby its your duty to kitty to make that decision. Upon making that decision, i know and im sure everybody else here knows that it was very hard and only come to after all other options had been explored.

Dont beat yourself up over the what-if's. Kitty is now in a place where there is no pain and suffering, watching over you. As we like to put it, The only place better than our home. You should feel that way too. Kitty is in the only place better than your home. Keep the memories alive and remember the good times. You gave kitty a very good life and he knows he was loved.

-Geoff-

[Guest]

Thanks for everyones kind words. It's just tough after 16 yrs. of having a pet, to just let go, even if it is just a pet. As previously mentioned, I remember the day we bought Boomer in 1987, I was just 16 years old. I can vividly rememeber him walking around/on the cash register, with his paws hitting various buttons. I grew up with the cat, and with his passing it's almost like the last bit of my childhood is ending. Very sad.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to my questions on this board.


RIP Boomer: 1987-2003

[jason]

It's just tough after 16 yrs. of having a pet, to just let go, even if it is just a pet. As previously mentioned, I remember the day we bought Boomer in 1987, I was just 16 years old.

RIP Boomer: 1987-2003

all of us are thinking of you...having been there as well myself. do take care and keep in touch.

[oconnorjoy]

My condolences go out to you. It can be so hard letting go of our pets. You did everything you could for him, with love...Bommer will live in your heart forever.