Cat is not eating

[LaRue]

Hi,

Since we got back home, 2 weeks ago from a 4 days trip, I noticed that my cat is eating very little. I'd generally feed him a scoop a day of dry food, Purina for indoor cats. Now he eats 2 to 4 pellets and doesn't eat again for hours. I tried changing foods to the ones he likes best and had no effect.
We had traveled before and always ask a neighbor or a friend to come over to feed and make him company. I have no clue of what's going on with him. We live in an apartment, so it's not that he would have gone out and contracted something.
Can you help? thanks, LaRue

[Cat&Dog mom]

Hmm... have you tried giving him some tuna or something to regain his appetite? Our his litter habits normal? Is he drinking enough water? Has he lost weight? I know they can easily get stressed when their human leaves for a period of time, I know mine do, but 2 weeks does seem a bit long. Don't let it go to long before contacting your vet and seeking his/her advice, on whether to take him in or not. Keep us posted.

[LaRue]

Hi, thanks for the response. I've scheduled an appointment with the vet, but still have to wait over a week for the date. He drinks water all right, just doesn't eat enough and I found out this can damage his liver. I've tried tuna fish (in water), but he only drinks a bit of the juices. I'm also giving him a variety of cat treats and he eats one or two, then i've to wait another hr or so... his liter was changed a couple of days ago... and he hasn't used it yet. I guess he's constipaited.
:confused:

[Cat&Dog mom]

OMG! he hasn't used the box in a couple of days? Please don't wait a week to take him to the vet, explain to them what you have told us especially not using the box in a couple of days, and they should get you in immediately, if they can't get you in immediately call somehwere that will. I don't think this is a situation you have any time to spare, he could have swallowed something and his intestines could be all tied up or blocked, and could be poisoning him, he could have a urinary tract infection, or a number of other things. But PLEASE take him in immediately!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My cat had a urinary tract infection one time and I did'nt know it and he had a seizure right infront of me, I so glad he woke me up early that morning, he wouldn't leave me alone, about 2 minutes after I got out of bed he had a seizure, I took him to an emergency vet that day cause it was on a Sunday, and I'm so glad I did, and we foolowed up with our normal vet on Mon. let us know what happens.

[LaRue]

I came back from the vet and had to leave my cat in the hospital for x-rays, blood and other exams. The doctor called me and said he had fluid around his lungs and that may be caused by cancer or heart problems. Terrible news... The vet said that he would need an ultrasound, but the prognostics are not good. He suggested me to put him to sleep ... I'll go back there tomorrow to see how he is doing. The vet also felt a mass on his intestines and that he would give him have an enema. He told me that since he's having problems breathing, that he wouldn't have much energy to eat or defecate. He also said that the ultra sound would cost around $300.
I'm at a loss here and not sure of what to do, but appreciate your replies and concern.

[Cat&Dog mom]

I'm so sorry to hear about your kitty today, that is horrible. Did you get any results from the test at the emergency vet? If I were you I would let that emer. vet hear what your vet found and express your dissatisfaction of his services, I can not believe that vet found nothing, sorry, just really angry, and rambling. Did the vet think the mass is from not going to the bathroom? Did the x-rays show an enlarged heart? A few months ago one of my cats was having breathing problems, (cozmo of course) I noticed over about a two week period that his breathing pattern had changed, not a big deal at first it was just something I noticed, of course my husband though I was crazy, then he started having to rest during playing, and started breathing heavier after any activity, so I started getting concerned, and made a vet appointment for Mon. The vet couldn't find anything on the x-ray of any concern, and nothing else, and though his breathing was ok. Well by Wed. and Thurs. he was really having a hard time breathing, I stayed up all night with him worried he was not going to make it,so I rushed him back to the vet on fri. Took new x-rays and found just a little fluid around his lungs and a hair ball or something like that in his intestines, but should not have been enough to cause this problem, but as I explained to my vet that my friend had his sister, she died to years ago (age 4) from a blood clot and that was my biggest concern, so he was also concerned and said he would keep him overnight and give some meds. If these meds did not work and he was not better in a week he would send us to get an ultrasound of his heart. Thankfully he got better in that week and has been fine every since. So we chalked it up to a respitory infection or something along those lines, since he had no fever or anything else. I guess i'm just trying to give you some hope here, since the problems seem just a little bit similiar, i'm not suggesting anything, as your vet will know best. Also, how old is your cat and what breed/mix is he? Cozmo is 6 yrs, and is, well looks part main coon, which i've read are known to have heart problems. I wish you and your kitty luck, please keep me posted.

[macassie]

LaRue,

I sorry to hear about your kitty. Cat&DogMom is right - maybe it's a combo of more manageable things that your kitty has going on. Please keep us posted. We'll all be hoping and praying for good news.

[LaRue]

I'm very sorry to say that my cat Lui was put to sleep, following his vet recommendation, on June 3. He was 10 years old. We first met in the back yard of the building I live, in downtown Manhattan, when he was 9 to 10 mo old. I believe he was from a litter of alley cats that lived in an abandoned building next to ours. Only one very tough german lady, on her 70s, used to live in that building and she would feed several cats.
When I met Lui, he was hungry and very friendly, so I decided to bring him home. Then, I also had a problem with mice, which since then have disappeared. He wasn't an easy cat, would take so much petting and many times scratched guests despite warnings. Still, he would know the moment I arrived home and opened the door to the street, 2 flights bellow. He was always waiting for me when I got home. He used to follow me all around and in time and we developed a mutual understanding, love and respect. He would signal with his tail when was time to leave him alone and would jump down from the kitchen counter when I threatened to throw something at him.
When my partner and I went to see him thursday morning, the vet showed us 2 set of X-rays. On the first, he pointed to a small dark area saying it was Lui's lungs. He told us he had taken 150 cc of fluid from his pleura. On the second X-ray, that area had double, but the doctor still couldn't see Lui's heart. He told us that Lui wasn't responding and may not leave until monday. He also said, that Lui may have either heart disease or cancer.
I asked to go see him and they took us to the small room with about 20 cages. At first, we couldn't find him. The assistant came in and showed us the cage, on the lower left side of the room. I looked down and saw my cat. I also notice the stand in front of the cage, holding 2 bags with solutions, which were being giving him through the vein on the the back of his neck. We called him and tried to make eye contact, but he barely moved his head... I felt he was totally drained. After talking one more time with the vet, I gave him the consent to put Lui to sleep. My partner was consoling me, when 10 minutes the Doctor came back with Luis's body in his carrier.
We came back home, I went to buy a box and later my lover helped me bury Lui, on the rear of the backyard, between a blue pine and a peach tree. On top of his grave, I planted an azalea with red flowers... I hope i will survive NY's winter.
Some of those alley cats are still around, climbing trees and making a lot of noise on nights with a full moon. The older lady still lives in the neighborhood, but has moved to another place, when the building she used to live was renovated.
In A way, I feel that a cycle has come to an end and I also feel glad a brought Lui home that chilly day in october 10 years ago. I will miss him .
Thanks you very much Cat&Dog mom , macassie and all of you , who read these notes and shared our feelings. I've attached a picture I took of Lui, some 4 springs ago.
Be well and good luck, La Rue

[Cat&Dog mom]

LaRue, I'm so sorry to hear about Lui, it's never easy to say goodbye. Thank you for sharing the story of Lui with us, he was a very handsome boy. And it sounds like a beautiful place you gave him for his final resting place, i'm sure the azalea will make it thru the winter. Best wishes.

[macassie]

LaRue,

I'm sorry to hear about Lui. Making that final decision is the hardest, but most selfless thing we can do for our beloved pets. I hope your heart finds peace soon.

He sure was a beautiful kitty.