Freddie still isn't eating :(

[Fuzzymum1]

A week ago Fat Freddie went in to have his teeth cleaned.

As I posted at the time, he had a bad reaction to the anaesthetic and although he ate fairly well for the first couple of days he's been off his food since sunday. This is very worrying as he is normally very greedy food motivated.

He saw the vet again on monday who gave him antibiotics and asked me to take him back today.

He's still refusing food though will swallow a few dreamies whole! Today he had blood tests to rule out kidney issues to ensure it was safe to give him Metacam. He had an injection this morning but is still not really interested in food.

We've tried various wet and dry foods, small pieces of chicken, pureed chicken, pureed chicken with lactol mixed in. At best he manages a few teaspoons but usually barely enough to mix his antibiotics in.

If he's still not eating on Friday the vet will do more comprehensive blood tests to try to get to the bottom of it.

He's dropped so much weight through not eating that he'll soon be just Freddie again instead of Fat Freddie - he's dropped from 6.25kg to 5.6kg in a week!

Any ideas of things to temp him? He's not a big fan of fish but I'm contemplating pilchards for him.

[thecatneuterer]

I think you need to be syringe feeding. Can you get a/d food and some syringes from the vet this evening/tomorrow?

[chockbic]

His mouth sounds sore to me, if he's not chewing the Dreamies.

Did he have any teeth extracted?

[Fuzzymum1]

We've tried syringe feeding but he's gets really stressed. He did have 2 teeth out but the vet says he unusually reluctant to eat. I should have said he's always swallowed dreamies whole.

[cozietoesie]

Is he using his tray? (I'm wondering because Seniorboy has occasionally gone off his food if he's a bit constipated.)

[Fuzzymum1]

Thankfully, he's finally started eating again :D I think the metacam finally made him feel a bit more comfortable. He's not eating huge amounts but he is willingly eating and enjoying small amounts of food. It's a massive relief after a very worrying few days.

[cozietoesie]

That's better news. Little and often, varying the flavours, is a good tactic.

[chockbic]

That's good to hear. You can warm the food up a bit to release the aroma

[RubbishMantra]

Ooh yes to warming up the food. I like to use some hot water from the kettle. As well as warming up the foodie-smells, you're also getting some water into your cat. Cats don't have much of a thirst-trigger, and he'll need more liquid if he's fighting an infection.