posted 01-23-2003 10:43 PM           

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Our family adopted a female Siamese from the SPCA about 2 weeks ago-she is 3 years old. She was immediately affectionate with everyone, has always used the litter box & within the first 3 days she was eating but after she went to her first vet visit 4 days after coming to our home she was sick. They gave her rabies shot, vitamin shot, she is negative for AIDS & leukemia & everything that was tested was fine but the next day she was slobbering, VERY runny nose, lethargic. Called vet, they prescribed antibiotics & said it was upper respiratory but since then I don't think she's eaten once (about 2 weeks). She has improved as far as the upper respiratory, she is very responsive to everyone, affectionate, not lethargic but she will not eat a thing. She drinks lots of water though. Took to the vet again & they gave us pedialyte & also some type of caloric gel that is force fed into the cat's mouth but the vet doesn't sound very helpful with solutions. I have a hard time understanding what happened & why she doesn't want to eat or what can be done. I can't fathom putting this cat to sleep, although I know she has to eat. She acts like she shows interest, even when she sees someone eating, she will jump in your lap & get in your face but will only "rub her face" on the food. Does anyone have any ideas? I have suggested to get a second opinion from another vet (I am not the head of household so I don't handle the finances of the vet).

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posted 01-24-2003 11:29 PM         

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I agree with getting a second opinion. Do you feed her dry or canned food? Have her teeth been checked? Sometimes cats wont eat if they have a soar mouth from gum problems or bad teeth. It made sense to me that she stopped eating when you said she had a respiratory infection because that may have caused a stuffy nose causing lack of interest in food. Cats dont like to eat what they cant smell. If the infection is all cleared up - her appetite should be back. Is she at least eating the calorie gel? Does she like it or do you have to force her to eat it? If she likes it then maybe she just became picky and in not interested in other food. Have you tried giving her canned food? Canned food is usually very strong smelling and very appealing to many cats.

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posted 01-25-2003 10:26 PM         

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Sounds to me like your vet is right on target, is doing everything in his power to strengthen the cat, make it healthy, so it can go on.
First off, any new home change upsets an animal. It's stressful, it weakens an immune system, and they oftentimes have a fungal outbreak like ringworm or show respiratory problems, for example. No biggee. You say you aren't sure if he hasn't eaten?? Aren't you watching the food? If dry, it will show some gone. Now if other members of the family sneaked some chicken or dinner food to it, it's eaten. Just watch, wait, and see. I suggest you stick to cat food, or this cat will have you doing cartwheels!
You speak of putting this cat to sleep already, without resolving what seems a simple cold due to stress, very normal. I suggest you either read online, or get a cat book, and this can bring you more hours of enjoyment to take the place of the sadness right now, and you will understand this cold and situation better. Don't rush things. All good things come to those who wait...let kitty relax in the home and regain it's livlihood. You say the cat is affectionate, etc. I think that is a wonderful cat for doing this so quickly, really! And it is negative as you say, so that is great too. Stay positive! God bless.

[This message has been edited by Pauline (edited 02-02-2003).]

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posted 01-26-2003 11:39 PM           

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Hello Pauline, just to clarify--it was the vet who insisted that the cat was going to either "die" or have to be put to sleep if she didn't eat soon, not I or my family which is why I wanted her taken to another vet because that didn't sound like a very positive or reassuring way of thinking. And I believed leukemia to be cancer so I was not aware that AIDS and leukemia were one in the same for cats. And when I said that I didn't think the cat had eaten I have been watching the food and have not noticed any eaten, I meant whether she had even taken a bite or two which could go unnoticed but would still be good for the cat to even have that much. We should be visiting the vet this week, if not another vet, so we will see! Thank you both for your replies, they were helpful!

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posted 01-27-2003 07:50 AM         

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I too would be leary of a veterinarian who suggests putting a cat to sleep because it has been poorly eating, yet, has made improvement by way of upper respiratory infection and is loveable. He or she doesn't seem too positive, or has asked limited questions which lead to a negative outlook. Gotta look at the big picture I say.

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posted 01-27-2003 06:30 PM         

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Just to clarify -
FIV - Feline Immunodeficiency Virus or Feline AIDS
FeLV - Feline Leukemia Virus

These are two different diseases - not the same thing.

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posted 01-28-2003 10:37 AM         

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I have printed this summary- they are synonymous in cause and effect, and here is why: courtesy of vetinfo.com:

"Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) are
retroviruses. These are viruses that attack the immune system and weaken
it. This can lead to severe infections or even cancer in cats infected
with these viruses. There is no vaccine for FIV at this time."

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