13 year old cat won't eat

I have an older cat, 13. She won't eat or drink. It's been like this for the past 5 days. I have taken her to the vet. They said her temperature was normal and no sign of illness. She does have a missing tooth, but they didn't think it was infected yet. I had planned on taking her in for the root extraction and cleaning, but they wanted her to begin eating again. They as in the vets did. They gave a shot of water in the back like a lot members' stories here. She was dehydrated like other's. Not drinking of course. She has lost weight too. Most of all she has been very irritable - unlike her normal self - this worries most of all. She has in the past skipped meals, but she's never been quite like this. I took her in last Tuesday to get her checked for her kidneys - her creatinine level was a little high about six months ago - I was suppose to bring her in after for a re-check, which is what I did. The test results from the Tuesday visit showed her kidney levels came down to normal. No kidney problems. Her eating pattern mostly normal before this vet visit. It has slowed somewhat because of the tooth, but it was nothing like this. I'm doing the baby food suggestion, but it only works when I spoon feed her. This is not something that I will be able to do on a normal routine. I took her in for a second visit Friday The doctor said he would do more checks on her blood, but said there was nothing obvious at that point. I had a cat for eighteen years growing up -and I anticipate having her for as long - what do I do now?
My first thought was that the blood extraction for the kidney was the reason for this behavior? Is this possibly why she's not eating? Perhaps the vet office drew too much blood? Now she won't eat or drink.
Somebody with knowledge please help clarify this.


Ps. Do I use a drop feeder to give her water?

and what is this appetite stimulant?

Thank you,
David R.

 

I'm sorry to hear about your cat.

My guess is that the missing tooth or something else in her mouth is likely the problem. I know the vet wanted her to begin eating again before doing the cleaning but if her mouth is part of the problem this is unlikely to happen. Maybe you can just syringe feed (very watered down canned food) until the vet does the cleaning?
I'm not sure about appetite stimulators but maybe another poster will know. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

Hello David and welcome to the forum.

I'm sorry your furbaby is not feeling well. I'm afraid I don't have too much advice for you...I know others here are better on this type of problem....but I do have a few suggestions.

First could you clarify...you stated you took her in Friday...as in yesterday? I ask because you then said the doc would do more checks on her blood. If it was yesterday you should have result back by Monday I would think. If it was last Friday, and he hasn't found anything yet, my suggestion would be to get a second opinion from another vet.

I would do anything to get her hydrated.

As far as food I always suggest what my vet told me when I had a kitten. Boiled chicken and white rice blended to the consistancy of baby food.

I don't know about these but I know others here do. I'm sure they will reply with more advice for you.

I hope she gets better soon and please keep us posted.

 

my kitty otis was given a shot a couple times in his life (he passed away in march) to stimulate his appetite. i dont know what it was, but im 99% sure it was in a shot form. also a/d by hills, wet food can sometimes stimulate their appetite. it is supposed to be very palatable. but otis would never eat that. one time he didnt eat for about five or six days...it was awful. but he was nineteen when that happened.

i would continue to spoon feed....they have to have food...otherwise they could quickly develp fatty liver disease.

welcome...good luck. please keep us updated.

 

I took her in on the 12th of Nov04 for a recheck. They're very quick with results during the weekday, but I guess cause of the weekend, it will be til Monday.

I feel certain like some here suggested that it is her teeth. I attempted to give her cold can cat food and a small piece of dry cat food. She was very irritated by the taste and probably the feel. The nerve ending on her bad tooth must be bothering her. She was willing to eat the warm baby food. However, at times she would still get bothered. I've been watering down the baby food remains as a means of giving her water. With warm water of course. I think it is working, but it doesn't seem to be lifting her spirits. She still hides under the bed and it seems she's having problems sleeping. I guessing she's in pain. I do hope it is just the teeth. Tomorrow, I should get the results of other tests and will keep them posted here.

Thanks for the tips and theories.

David R.

 

if it's anything like an abcessed tooth nothing short of painkillers will make her feel better until the tooth is fixed - I've had many and they hurt like hell. That in itself can be depressing.

I would, for the time being, mix some warmed canned food with pedialyte, NutraCal and get a plastic (never use glass) feeding syringe and make sure you get at least 1/4 cup of that in her per day.

Don't wait long on getting that tooth fixed...if it is an infected tooth it can affect her heart

 

and the entire body system. :shock: Poor baby. Hope she gets well soon. :m10:

 

Thanks for all the responses. They did another blood profile today. Everything came back normal. She did have an infection in the mouth along with additional lost teeth, but the Vet said this was normal and not a valid reason for her behavior.
My question to others here, is this accurate? The blood profile is normal; the only major problem at this point are the teeth and a small infection in the mouth. What other reasons would a cat not want to eat or drink. I hate to think that she might have feline leukemia? Wouldn't this show up in the blood test?
Do cats go crazy? Anyway she's coming home this afternoon. Her teeth were cleaned (whats left of them) and the root extractions were done to the broken teeth. Wish me luck. The next couple of days will be more telling. PS. I plan on going with NutriCal. Thanks for the tip.

 

my current foster kitty, Cleo, has only 4 upper teeth. Imagine my surprise when I looked in her mouth and saw no uppers!!!! But upon my vet checking she found 4 way in the back. No idea why since she was a shelter pull....she eats okay but not great, and she licks her chops a lot.

Cleo was never given canned food according to her paperwork...she does prefer dry food but will quickly eat canned when I offer it to her.

Cat will do okay...I wonder if it just takes awhile for them to adjust to the tooth loss.

There is an appetite stimulant you might want to ask your vet about.

 

How did your baby do? When my Monty came home from extractions, he did not eat well for a couple of days.

 

Doing better

I brought her home on monday and almost that night she tried on her own to eat dry cat food. Not much, but a little. This morning I started with the nutrical. She's begining to eat normal again. Her behavior is improving as well. I do think it was the infection in the mouth that was the main couplrit. Last week she was so uncomfortable that she didn't even want to be near anyone. Thankfully that changing for the better. Thanks everyone for the advice and support.

David R

 

im very happy to hear the news...thank goodness...