Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Not feeling well

So things have headed in the wrong direction since my last post. I am no longer eating and really scaring the begeevies out of mom. She is now syringe feeding me because I refuse to eat. I am being a good kitty and letting her syringe feed me without spitting out too much of it. Mom and the vet are confused as to why I won't eat. My lab work is good. The thyroid level is a little high (5.2) compared to my last test so they are adjusting my medication. All my other lab work is good including my white blood cell count that was a little out of whack at last test. The other test they were keeping an eye on is my liver enzyme as it was slightly elevated last time but was within normal limits this time. My biggest issues right now are not eating and a snotty nose that doesn't want to clear up. The nose issue is actually why my vet and mom think i won't eat but that doesn't lessen the concern any. I am down to 6.2 pounds which is the lightest I have ever been. If anyone has suggestions for mom on food that is good to syringe feed me we would appreciate it! We are currently trying baby food because it is easy to get through the syringe and I am tolerating it.

Thanks pals!

Love CJ

56 comments:

  1. I am so sorry to read this and am amping up the healing purrz. Can the not eating and possibly the snotty nose be a side effect of one of the meds. You didn't by chance get Convenia antibiotic, did you?? Are your teeth OK? Just throwing things out there. I have allergies so I can't always smell. I prefer stinky fish like Weruva Pumpkin Jack Splash.

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  2. Oh CJ. We're sorry you aren't eating. There's a prescription food called a/d that has lots of calories and is used for cats recovering from illness, etc. It's supposed to be pretty tasty. Your mom could try feeding you that. She would have to water it down a little bit to syringe it.

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  3. CJ, I am very worried about you too, and purring lots for you! I wish I had some helpful suggestions, but I just don't. It sounds like your human and vet are doing everything they can.

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  4. Our mom would always syringe feed those kitties who needed it with baby food and pate cat food watered down to work easily with the syringe. She loved doing it as it was a great bonding experience for her and the kitties loved it too. She was very slow and talked softly to them while she did it.

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  5. We are all concerned for you CJ!!! Please eat little buddy!! We have no helpful suggestions, but send much POTP and loads of gentle purrs x0x0x

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  6. Wish I had some ideas for you - I get baby food because Mom sneaks my ground up thyroid pill in it twice a day for me and I love baby food. Very tasty. I guess if you like it, and are eating it, it's sure better than nothing. I should think almost any food that your Mom can mix with water will work for syringe feeding but I know we all wish you'd eat as normal and not lose more weight!

    Love, Sammy

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  7. Has your Vet tried an appetite stimulant? I have forgotten the name of the one the Admiral had been prescribed. But it worked great. Also, for some reason Royal Canin foods seem to work like a charm at least some of the time through they are expensive. They are VERY stinky and kitties can smell it and love it generally. PLEASE get better darling boy.

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    1. Is it Nutrigel ? That is what we use in Australia xx

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  8. dood....therz an ole saying....a cat will knot eat what a cat can knot smell.... yur mom & vet R rite.....and all de suggestionz listed heer R grate....tell yur mom ta get de stinkiest food on de planet; if itz all reddy ina can her can water it down ta pass thru de syringe; ore her can grind it up; like ina blender kinda what cha call it; N water it down two.....sardeenz; if ewe can eat em...werk prettee good...once yur ap a tite pix back up, hope full lee it stayz ther.... & yur next post iz bout how much weight ya gained........st francis's best & 984 paws crossed for ewe dood.... ♥♥♥♥♥

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    1. And slightly heat the food so the smell intensifies xx

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  9. Hi CJ. So sorry you are not eating. We see the Island Cats recommended A/D. This is a really great food to syringe feed with. It is solid looking but zips right up the syringe and is tasty. Our Einstein was on this when he was tiny and very sick. It pulled him through. Our Buddy has some physical issues and he took a steroid shot that got him eating again. Hope something works little friend. We are purring and praying fur you
    Timmy, Dad and Furs

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  10. Dear CJ,
    We send our most fervent purrrrrrrsssss and prayers that you recover soon and are back to your own self again. Beaucoodles of {{{{hugs}}}} and purrrrrrssssss and prayers.

    Love,
    Grace & Company
    and Marilynn (their secretary)

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  11. Stopped by to offer some purrs for dear little CJ. Have you tried honest Kitchen powdered goat's milk? We always use it on this end for sick times.- Crepes and Alana.

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  12. CJ we're purring loud and hard for you. We hope they figure out what's wrong and you start eating soon.

    The Florida Furkids

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  13. We are sorry ya arent feelin right CJ! But we unnerstand that foods dont smell like foods when yer nose is all cloggy. TBT sometimes smears some cream cheese on our teeth when we dont eat right.

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  14. CJJ we are no experts with the good, but we can see there is some good advice here. We think of you every day, so if Mum wakes up in the night, it might br us hoping you get better.

    CJ you are so very much loved by so many people. I am hoping that you will eat for your Mum. PLEASE LITTLE GUY.

    Marjorie and the Dash Kitten Crew.

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  15. We meant with the FOOD (sorry)

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  16. We are hoping that you can begin eating and get to feeling better real soon! Hugs to you!

    All of us at Forty Paws and Maw

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  17. Ann sent us a badge for you and we wanted you to know we have put up a POTP post here
    https://blogvillepotp.blogspot.com/2016/05/potp-for-cja-fighter-and-survivor.html?showComment=1462392344174#c7220653333350901230

    Mom was thinking maybe putting canned tuna or salmon through a blender so that it will go in a syringe...but I bet you have already tried that.
    Hugs madi and mom

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  18. We're so sorry you're not feeling well. We've had to deal with loss of appetite here on occasion and have found that FortiFlora (only on a temporary basis) works wonders. It comes in little packets you can sprinkle over your food.
    (((purrs)))

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  19. A runny nose can really interfere with the desire to eat. With kitties, eating is connected to smell. If you can't smell the food, you don't have an appetite. If you haven;t tried it, maybe what Madi suggested will work as the aroma is very strong. You remain in our purrs and prayers, C.J. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo

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  20. oh Kathi I can feel your worry in my heart....your precious CJ is probably not feeling like eating because of the snotty nose issue...smell is a big factor in even wanting to eat.
    Please know how much we care during this worrisome time you are having...many good wishes for you both from the cozy cottage kitties and mom Karla

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  21. Aw CJ, so sorry you're not feeling good still. You're a good boy to let your Mom syringe feed you. Purrs and prayers and ducky hugs from all of us at the House of the Mostly Black Cats

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  22. We learned from Ann about you. Fortunately we have never dealt with a kitty with an upper respiratory infection. But we have watched our grandson having the snot cleared from his nose with a sucky tube thing made for babies and it seems to work well. Not the bulb type but one where the Mom or Dad actually sucks on a tube.

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  23. We are sending lots and lots of purrs, prayers, and love your way, CJ!

    I'm glad you're trying baby food, and the suggestion of a/d food is also great. I'm sure you already know this, but if you're having trouble syringing any of the food, try watering it down, which will also help give CJ some extra hydration.

    Has the vet suggested or tried pepcid? Many illnesses can give kitties upset stomachs and ulcers, and pepcid can help with that. 2.5 mg of pepcid per day is a typical amount given to cats, and can be given orally (such as during a syringe feeding session) using over-the-counter pepcid - you can break a 10 mg tablet into quarters and give 1/4 tablet daily. Perhaps your vet even has an injectable version of pepcid.

    What about subcutaneous fluids at home? Dehydration can make a kitty feel pretty nasty, and even getting fluids under the skin (which can be done at home) can help to relieve that.

    And did the vet give any vitamin injections to help with the fact that CJ is not eating? For example, getting a thiamine or B12 injection can give an inappetant kitty a bit of a boost.

    As for the respiratory/nasal issue, since that may be why CJ is so averse to food right now, has the vet mentioned giving CJ L-lysine, in case of a URI? More so, has the vet recommended giving CJ any nasal drops? You can even use over-the-counter children's nasal decongestant drops, such as Little Noses/Little Remedies. Also, to help relieve CJ's congestion, try putting a humidifier near where she is resting. Or, you can get your bathroom steamy by running hot water and sitting in there with her for a while. Also be sure to use a warm cloth to remove fresh as well as any dried mucus, and do so as frequently as you can in order to help keep her nasal passages clear.

    And, as another commenter mentioned, you could go the route of appetite stimulants, such as mirtazapine.

    I'm sorry for the length of this comment. I used to work at a cat clinic, and I'm trying to think of any and every solution I've known used for kitties like CJ. Please keep us updated, and we will certainly continuing our purrs and prayers for sweet CJ!

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  24. Wow, lots of great suggestions. We are so sorry CJ is not eating. It is just so hard when they stop eating. I believe that the stuffed nose may be one of he reasons. If they can't smell, sometimes they won't eat. Also, I have found that the cheap canned cat food sometimes has a strong smell. Especially the fishy stuff.
    We send all kinds of purrs and good thoughts that CJ will start eating really soon.

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  25. THAT is what I was trying to remember...Mirtazapine!

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  26. We are sorry that CJ is not feeling well.
    We purr very hard that some treatment will help him want to eat again.
    We send him BIG purrs and hope they help.

    Purrs Georgia and Julie,
    Treasure and JJ

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  27. Poor Cj, this snotty nose could be the thing you know. Could your Mummy warm your food a little or maybe add some of your most special and favourite treats? The good smells might get through to your eating juices!

    Sometimes (and sorry CJ the human is making us type this) putting the kitty into an open type carrier, in the bathroom, with the shower or bath water running hot (door shut) and the steam will help clear that little nosey. About ten mins can be enough to help.

    A bowl of boiling water placed near a little kitty nose is useful too, but always be between CJ and the hot water.

    Even a wrung out and really damp flannel draped over a radiator can raise the humidity up enough to help clear that nose.

    So, CJ, apologies for the bathroom suggestion, but we do hope you feel better and start chomping again soon.

    Love to you little one

    Mungo, Jet and Jane the Ape xxx

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  28. CJ we are so sorry you don't feel like eating. We think along with so many others it's the fact that you can't smell the food. We sure hope that the Vet can get your nose to work again and that might make all your food worries go away. Until then we will do our best purrs for you.

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  29. Hi CJ, you don't know us, but we are so sorry that you are not feeling well. We unite ourselves with every furry in the catblogging community in sending good vibes and best healing purrs for you.

    Emma and Buster

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  30. Dear CJ, we've kept up with your story for a long time and we're all sending you love, purrs and prayers.

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  31. Oh sweetie! Sending purrs and lots of prayers for you to get better and get the appetite back. Prayers for your wonderful mom to stay strong!

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  32. We sure hope your nose will clear up so you will want to eat again. Feel better!

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  33. We are praying for you CJ. Baby food is good and pure. I hope you feel better soon!

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  34. Purrs and prayers coming your way sweetie. Has the vet suggested an appetite stimulant pill? If not, you might ask him/her about that, although I would think they would have already talked about that.

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    1. After reading the comments, I see you have lots of suggestions, including the names of a couple of appetite stimulants. I'm hoping one of those work. Know that we love you and are purring and praying so hard for you. You are one special kitty who survived a bad fire (how well I remember that night when seeing a couple of Tweets from Lisa stating there was a fire in your building). You just have to pull through from this pal.

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  35. Thank you for all the suggestions! Some we have tried already with not much success (appetite stimulant, humidifier, steamy bathroom, warming food) and some are new ideas that mom will certainly try. Thank you for all the purrs and positive thoughts! Love, CJ

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  36. Many prayers coming your way for sweet CJ...hope you feel better real soon!
    Chloe and LadyBug

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  37. I had a cat with a feeding tube in her for liver issues and fed her Hills Science Diet urgent care a/d which is high in calories and nutrition for seriously ill cats. It goes in a syringe easy and gives the highest nutrition until she will eat on her own. The vet should have it. Good luck. She needs to eat so we are purring big time for her. I have been thru this many times.

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  38. There are lots of really good suggestions here, we hope you will be on the road to recovery very soon.

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  39. I see everyone has given you great recommendations of baby food and the A/D. I am praying for you.

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  40. we are sending some pug prayers for you!
    hug
    Mr Bailey, Hazel & Mabel

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  41. We've only just heard about CJ and hope he will feel better very soon.

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  42. If you has a snotty nose you can't smell your food, thus you won't eat it. Silly peeps eat stuffs without smelling it so they don't always know this about us. You can mix the A/D food with water to make it soupy enough to syringe feed. http://www.hillspet.com/en/us/products/pd-canine-feline-ad-canned

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  43. Oh we meant to say we are sending healing purrs your way CJ.

    PS: Iffn you has hyperthyroid and you takes the pill that may be the problem. Socks stopped eating because of the pills he was on for hyperthyroidism. But it sounds like your snotty nose is the culprit. Socks explains why he can't take thyroid medicine here http://atcad.blogspot.com/2016/04/thyroid-thirst-tachycardia-and.html

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  44. We are purring and purring and purring and purring and mashing our heads against the dogs (who don't understand AT ALL why we are doing it) and purring more for you that you find your appetite and that you start eating with gusto anything your Mom suggests/proposes to you. You need to eat, Sweet CJ!! Please!! Don't scare your Mama...that is not a good thing to do because then she might get sick, too as Moms tend to do when they worry so much about us. We are thinking of you...so go on...eat. Now. Thank you!! Much love, Elioth and Chouchou and Ginger and Ellwood at WeezDaBadCats & DaMeenDawgs

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  45. When my cats are in that situation, I use Recovery. It is a tinned food for convalescents, but is good for cats who simply aren't eating, too. It is high in calories and everything else a cat may not be getting by refusing to eat. I buy it from veterinarians or animal hospitals.

    Good luck to CJ!

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  46. We come to bring Healing Pawkisses and Purrayers and hope you feel better soon and eat again <3 <3 <3

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  47. Well we was gonna suggest da Gerber Ham and ham gravy baby food. It's yummy and always does da trick. Egg yolk or white egg poder is also full of protein and is usually tolerated. It can be added to just 'bout anythin' too. We's sendin' lots and lots of purrayers.

    Luv ya'

    Dezi

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  48. I am not sure if this has been mentioned yet but have you tried a holistic approach such as from Pet Wellbeing? I gave this to my two CKD kitties and I swear to you they began eating on their own again. My sister's cat was also just diagnosed with CKD and she order it after I mentioned it to her too. And they are using with positive results as well. They have a hyperthyroid solution as well as others. Being a veterinary professional I would never recommend anything unless I truly believed in it. We are purraying for you and CJ. Please let us know if we can do anything to help. The website is www.petwellbeing.com Love, hugs, and purrayers. Jacinda and the Purrjamm cats

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  49. CJ, you've gotten lots of great advice, so we just wanted to let you kno0w we're purring and praying for you, and sending all good thoughts. <3

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  50. Sending big purrs and lotsa headbonks, Obi (a friend of Timmy Tomcat and fam)

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