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Original poster

My cat won't eat

34 replies

TheBigPurpleOne25 · 04/05/2025 20:46

Started Wednesday, my cat had been throwing up green bile until yesterday morning, not touching her food, and just not being herself, very withdrawn, keeps hiding and not even responding when we call out. She is usually very playful and affectionate. We took her to the vets yesterday on an emergency appointment because we were concerned, we really don't have the money but we paid the £100 for the appointment. They were a bit stumped and said it feels like she has hard lumps in her tummy, she didnt have a temp, they didn't do any tests and gave some hydration drinks to syringe into her and said if she doesn't get better or pass anything (they think it might be a blockage but they aren't sure) then she will need an operation, the quote was 4k. Which obviously we don't have! We don't have let insurance as I ever got around to taking it out. She is one and a half. We've tried everything but she will not eat a sausage and she hasn't been to the toilet in three days. We can't afford to go back to the vets and we ar scared that if we do take her back they will say that if we can't afford the treatment then they will put her to sleep so she won't suffer. I dont know what to do. We love her and she is part of our family. Does anyone have a similar story that can give me some advice please

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SleepingisanArt · 04/05/2025 21:03

I'm really sorry to hear your cat is suffering. If the vet suspects a blockage you really need to get some tests done to find out what it is and also where it is. The main thing here is that your cat is clearly suffering and it is your responsibility to fix it - either with appropriate treatment after tests or if treatment isn't possible to have her put to sleep.

My elderly cat needed 2 rounds of treatment for gastritis (caused by long term medication for an inflammatory condition) - £200 each time. He's now free of the gastritis but we know we haven't got much longer with him but he's not in pain or suffering yet.

If you are in receipt of any benefits you can approach the Blue Cross for help - if not you have to find a way to pay for tests and treatment. Good luck

Original poster
TheBigPurpleOne25 · 04/05/2025 21:08

SleepingisanArt · 04/05/2025 21:03

I'm really sorry to hear your cat is suffering. If the vet suspects a blockage you really need to get some tests done to find out what it is and also where it is. The main thing here is that your cat is clearly suffering and it is your responsibility to fix it - either with appropriate treatment after tests or if treatment isn't possible to have her put to sleep.

My elderly cat needed 2 rounds of treatment for gastritis (caused by long term medication for an inflammatory condition) - £200 each time. He's now free of the gastritis but we know we haven't got much longer with him but he's not in pain or suffering yet.

If you are in receipt of any benefits you can approach the Blue Cross for help - if not you have to find a way to pay for tests and treatment. Good luck

The blue cross and pdsa won't help, while I receive a qualifying benefit I do not live in an area where they will provide the service. I know we have to find a way and potentially I have a way but just right now, in a couple of weeks would be the earliest I can get the funds. They were reluctant to do tests, they did mention gastritis and gave her an antibiotic injection yesterday.

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SleepingisanArt · 04/05/2025 21:34

Unfortunately she won't last a couple of weeks without food. My vet says it's 5 days without food and 3 days without water. My cat is a fan of mayonnaise so would lick a little if offered it on a teaspoon, or a little bit of chicken (human food not cat food), just enough to tempt him and then he went onto licking all the gravy off his cat food before going back to eating cat food. You could try cat milk too (mine won't touch it). Does she have a favourite cat treat you can tempt her with? You can get probiotics for cats which might be worth trying as there are some formulated to help with gut issues - in liquid form you might get her to take it....

RandomMess · 04/05/2025 21:35

If your cat isn’t eating unfortunately you don’t have long to make a decision. Unlike dogs their bodies can’t cope long without eat meat.

I hope things improve Flowers

Twinstudy · 04/05/2025 21:37

Would your vet agree a payment plan?

Wolfiefan · 04/05/2025 21:38

They won’t do loads of tests at an emergency appointment. This cant be left. She clearly needs tests and treatment. You need to go back. If you can’t afford treatment then you may be lucky enough to find a rescue that will or you’ll have to PTS. This is why pet insurance is so important.

Original poster
TheBigPurpleOne25 · 04/05/2025 21:39

SleepingisanArt · 04/05/2025 21:34

Unfortunately she won't last a couple of weeks without food. My vet says it's 5 days without food and 3 days without water. My cat is a fan of mayonnaise so would lick a little if offered it on a teaspoon, or a little bit of chicken (human food not cat food), just enough to tempt him and then he went onto licking all the gravy off his cat food before going back to eating cat food. You could try cat milk too (mine won't touch it). Does she have a favourite cat treat you can tempt her with? You can get probiotics for cats which might be worth trying as there are some formulated to help with gut issues - in liquid form you might get her to take it....

I've tried all he gave fooda and chicken and ham which she loves and cat milk but no success, she won't even drink water, I've been giving her oralite on the hour every hour. I'm going to go and get her some liquid food tomorrow that I can syringe into her. She hasnt been sick since yesterday morning, and she is now answering to her name which she wasn't doing before. I feel dreadful. She is only a little dot as it is.

OP posts:
pavillion1 · 04/05/2025 21:39

OP start a go fund me

Original poster
TheBigPurpleOne25 · 04/05/2025 21:40

Wolfiefan · 04/05/2025 21:38

They won’t do loads of tests at an emergency appointment. This cant be left. She clearly needs tests and treatment. You need to go back. If you can’t afford treatment then you may be lucky enough to find a rescue that will or you’ll have to PTS. This is why pet insurance is so important.

We are booked into go back Tuesday but they said yesterday they want to do the surgery. We did ask them about a leyment plan and they said they don't do them, but they will provide emergency treatment if she needs and then we can pay what we can afford but they won't do a plan for the cost of the actual surgery if that makes sense.

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Original poster
TheBigPurpleOne25 · 04/05/2025 21:41

pavillion1 · 04/05/2025 21:39

OP start a go fund me

I wanted to do this but my partner said no.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 04/05/2025 21:43

But what’s the prognosis without the surgery? Is she suffering?

pavillion1 · 04/05/2025 21:44

TheBigPurpleOne25 · 04/05/2025 21:41

I wanted to do this but my partner said no.

Show quote history

Oh really ... its a good way to raise the money . People love animals

RandomMess · 04/05/2025 21:45

Liquidise high calorie food. Hopefully you can buy some of the high calorie tinned recovery food to syringe in.

Original poster
TheBigPurpleOne25 · 04/05/2025 21:46

Wolfiefan · 04/05/2025 21:43

But what’s the prognosis without the surgery? Is she suffering?

Well she's not crying, and she doesn't appear to be in pain, she's not making much noise at all really and normally she is very very vocal. She looks angry more than anything, she wants to be left alone and again she is usually very touchy feely. She's sat in the same spot all night and day without moving. Obviously I know she must feel horrid else she wouldn't be the way she is, but I don't think she is in pain.

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Original poster
TheBigPurpleOne25 · 04/05/2025 21:48

Wolfiefan · 04/05/2025 21:43

But what’s the prognosis without the surgery? Is she suffering?

They didn't actually say the prognosis. They just said they suspect it COULD be a blockage because of the symptoms and because they can feel hard lumps in her belly or it could b a gastritis which is why they gave her the injection and fluids and said to watch how she goes, she may pass whatever it is if it is a blockage on her own and if she doesn't she will need the surgery to remove it. They said they would scan her first to confirm.

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legoplaybook · 04/05/2025 21:54

TheBigPurpleOne25 · 04/05/2025 21:46

Well she's not crying, and she doesn't appear to be in pain, she's not making much noise at all really and normally she is very very vocal. She looks angry more than anything, she wants to be left alone and again she is usually very touchy feely. She's sat in the same spot all night and day without moving. Obviously I know she must feel horrid else she wouldn't be the way she is, but I don't think she is in pain.

Show quote history

That all sounds like pain to me.

Wolfiefan · 04/05/2025 21:54

Cats mask pain.
So get her scanned? When is she booked back in?

Original poster
TheBigPurpleOne25 · 04/05/2025 22:03

Wolfiefan · 04/05/2025 21:54

Cats mask pain.
So get her scanned? When is she booked back in?

She's booked to go back Tuesday

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Original poster
TheBigPurpleOne25 · 04/05/2025 22:04

She had a similar thing before where she refused to eat for a couple of days and she howled and yelled and cried non stop which is why I feel I would know if she was in agony.

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Original poster
TheBigPurpleOne25 · 04/05/2025 22:05

TheBigPurpleOne25 · 04/05/2025 22:04

She had a similar thing before where she refused to eat for a couple of days and she howled and yelled and cried non stop which is why I feel I would know if she was in agony.

This time around i feel is worse than that time though and she recovered pretty quickly, the vet was non the wiser what was wrong that time.

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Wolfiefan · 04/05/2025 22:18

Not being in agony is a pretty low bar.

Original poster
TheBigPurpleOne25 · 04/05/2025 22:22

Wolfiefan · 04/05/2025 22:18

Not being in agony is a pretty low bar.

I just mean while people say cats mask lain, mine doesn't, she has always vocally let me know if she's in pain or upset etc but she's barely making any sounds, only purrs when having a chin rub. She has moved from her spot and is having a wonder now which she hasn't done since yesterday but still no joy with eating and drinking.

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lilao · 04/05/2025 22:23

i think she is 100% in pain - and quite a lot if she’s becoming withdrawn. You need to get her to the vets tomorrow (or tonight if you can)

Theunamedcat · 04/05/2025 22:29

Is she peeing?

My cat went off food recently after puking a lot turns out he might have had something hooked in the back of his throat true to form he had managed to get it out himself by the time they sedated and scoped him took almost two weeks of anti nausea meds and painkillers (his tonsils were swollen) to get him back to normal

Original poster
TheBigPurpleOne25 · 04/05/2025 22:33

Theunamedcat · 04/05/2025 22:29

Is she peeing?

My cat went off food recently after puking a lot turns out he might have had something hooked in the back of his throat true to form he had managed to get it out himself by the time they sedated and scoped him took almost two weeks of anti nausea meds and painkillers (his tonsils were swollen) to get him back to normal

No, she hasn't used the toilet at all for three days, I know this because I cl and her tray and it is still clean. The vet didn't check her throat.

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