My Cat Too Depressed To Eat

[BellaBlinky]

I have a 6 1/2 year old female kitty named Bella. I decided to foster a mother cat and her kittens about a month ago. I noticed the mother cat being very territorial towards Bella a few weeks ago, so Bella started sleeping on higher surfaces such as my desk and even atop a high bookshelf all the while looking frightened and neglected. The mother cat attacked Bella (aggressively chased her) a few times about a week ago at which time I told the rescue group I could no longer foster the cats. On Sunday, after I noticed Bella's appetite diminishing as well, the cats were relocated to another foster home. I thought Bella would revive but today is Wednesday and she still hasn't eaten. I even tried to syringe feed her baby food but she also started vomiting yellow bile on Tuesday evening at which point I took her to the emergency room. Her vitals were stable, blood work ok (they said it was ok but her ALT was 141 on a scale of 12-130 - they said this was insignificant), and she was ever so slightly dehydrated. They gave her anti nausea meds, fluids, and antacid. When she refused to eat Tuesday, I took her to a regular vet at which point they gave her a b12 shot, more anti nausea meds, and more fluids. They said she was in good condition. How is that possible if she hasn't eaten. She also hasn't peed in several day although they said her bladder is full. I feel she has sunk into a deep depression which has killed her appetite and now she is slipping hepatic lipadosis (fatty liver?) They said if she doesn't eat by Thursday, she would have to go to the hospital aaand get tube fed plus more tests. I neglected my little cat by caring for the fosters kittens because they had diarreah and ringworm which was exhausting. However I saw Bella become depressed and withdrawn but took action a week too late. Please pay attention to those small signs so you don't end up where I am! Can anyone help me? I have ONE day to get her to eat AND keep it down. I know she is so nauseous. I don't want her to suffer through the hospital and tube feeding. ANY and all suggestions are appreciated. I have had her since she was ONE day old and her life has been very sheltered. I should have realized how emotionally fragile she was.

[BellaBlinky]

Thank you!I put coconut oil on her paws, which she licked off, then I put the lactulose on her treats, one drop on each, and on some canned food she ate.  Anyway, she had a lovely poo today, unfortunately although no straiing was involved she vomited up about a tablespoon or two of liquid. so far this week she has vomited each time she's had a bowel movement. It was due to the excessive straining, I guess...but she didn't strain today and still vomited. Confusing! I basically stalked her with the med until she got enough! I do have three other cats that she  doesn't mind. She was just so frightened of the mom cat because the mom cat was so mean to her! Bella is on three different kinds of medication: Reglan, Medrol, and micoprozanole. Is that good? She has her follow up on Monday so I am writing a list of questions to ask. I do offer her a buffet of "tempting" food such as tuna, Fancy Feast, chicken and turkey baby food

[Jade59]

Whew, big sigh of relief with the tests!  And how great is Opus with all that info!?  

Keeping you and Bella close in thought, and looking forward to the next update.  

HUGS to you~  

[Piparskeggr]

Yay Bella!

Yay Bella's Mom!

[CML2014]

YAY!! YAY!YAY!!!!

That is the BEST News, BELLA IS BAAAAAACK!!!!

God Bless you for taking such good care of her. I bet you can finally sleep at night. That is so funny that she checked every inch of the house for "Invaders". Guess Mom has found out the hard way Bella is a one women cat.

All the Best to you and YOUR Bella
CML

[opus88]

another thing you could try is UNSALTED BUTTER....not margarine, has to be unsalted butter....put a bit of this on your finger, most cats love the taste and it also helps lube them up a bit...:)) just a dab.

[opus88]

doing a good job there momma!! they are sure our babies aren't they, esp when ill our mother instincts kick into over drive:)

great news abt the tests results too!!!

she is doing great, so glad to hear she is trying to eat more and more on her own...I am hoping the Vet will soon take the e-tube out and make it easier for her.

first of all, will she eat wet canned food? wet food has 78% moisture where dry only has 12%...so it soooo much better for them, and esp. much better for their bowels. can you try that? try different brands to tempt her..this will help alot with the constipation issues.

yes lactulose will work, or should...its not a laxative its a stool softner, I used it for a long time for my Opus, he's been gone awhile and I forget just how much...I am thinking it was 2mls 2x a day...but go by how much your Vet tells you to be safe. but I will add something the Vets don't tell you..and thats to mix a bit of water with it as well...works better. if you are giving 2mls than put 1ml of water with it. Lactulose is very thick and sticky and sweet...most cats will not eat it on their own, it has to be given by dropper..so you will have to give it very carefully for Bella...just slowly and do so on the side of her mouth near the back molars...NOT from the front of her mouth, dont' want to see her chocking on this!!...like I said do it SLOWLY so she has time to take a good swallow after every small squirt into her mouth...

its good shes at least having small movements so shows theres no blockage...the lactulose may not work the first day...

something else you can ask about is Miralax...I need to use this on my Nemo occasionally...don't like to use it all the time b/c of the chemicals but he has severe constipation due to a stricture in his bowel....lactulose doesn't work for him.
My Vet was the one that suggested Miralax and he said 1/4 teas. disolved in a small amount of water and again give via dropper.

so there are some suggestions you can try over the next day or two...before resorting to an enema.
I would really try to get her to eat some wet canned food as well, that alone may make a huge difference for her

good luck and keep us posted:)