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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

My big guy's in hospital and I'm so worried

60 replies

NotJustAnyOldCat · 07/01/2015 19:40

He stopped eating and drinking at the weekend and is now spending his second night on iv fluids and anti sickness meds and antibiotics.
He still isn't eating and is so weak.
He was a beautiful big ginger boy and he has shrunk and shrivelled.
He's only 5 Sad. The vets do not know what or why.
They started the antibiotics because his blood tests showed a very slightly raised wbc indicating a minor infection but nothing that would account for the state of him.
I'm heartbroken at the thought of losing him and don't know how to help him.
I visited him today and brought him some comforts and his favourite food and treats but he wouldn't eat a bit.
The nurse offered a perky "oh, he'll eat soon don't worry" but I know he won't. They've been giving him appetite stimulants too but something is causing him to refuse to let anything pass his lips.

Please cross your fingers and paws for my beautiful orange bear.

OP posts:
georgedawes · 08/01/2015 15:33

They can syringe feed, we've done that before. It's not good for their liver when they stop eating so I'd be concerned at what they're suggesting. Hope he is better soon.

cozietoesie · 08/01/2015 15:37

Poor, poor lad.

shaska · 08/01/2015 15:43

I'm not sure if anti-emetics and anti-nausea are different - hopefully someone can say. They're probably the same, but I'd want to make sure. Though if he's nauseous that's a sign that there's still something wrong, and masking it might not help the underlying problem.

I was told once (with a similarly ill cat) that it's very important for cats to eat, and that they often do a weird thing where if they don't eat, they'll sort of forget that it's nice, and then refuse to eat, and then feel sick from hunger and keep refusing because they feel dreadful. Which sounds very catlike. We had to syringe feed ours for a while. She HATED it, but she did remember her appetite eventually. I'm guessing you've tried all sorts on him, but if not then tiny bits of tuna and/or chicken, hand fed, might be worth a shot.

Sounds like you need to wait on further info though - I'd be pushing for the X-ray or a scan at least, and possibly exploratory surgery if they don't find anything and he doesn't get better. I'm not a vet or anything like it though, just so you know.

RubbishMantra · 08/01/2015 16:44

I hope the vet can give you some good news soon.

I think you're right in insisting they keep him in to ascertain what's wrong, it really doesn't sound like he'll just start eating of his own accord.

Poor lad. Sad

annettec01 · 08/01/2015 17:19

This sounds exactly like my friends boy. They ended up doing exploratory surgery just to see if blockage as nothing on X-ray or scans. When opened up his intestines were engorged and had perforated bowel. It hurt to eat that is why he stopped eating. Lost 2kgs. Please get them to check as he had some intestines removed and still not back to full strength as on special sensitive food since before christmas but least back home now.

annettec01 · 08/01/2015 17:21

He also had anti nausea jabs to try and make him eat but masked the symptoms.

cozietoesie · 08/01/2015 17:28

I'd probably be asking about exploratory surgery as well even though it's riskier in a cat who is so poorly.

Original poster
NotJustAnyOldCat · 08/01/2015 23:20

So he's home.
Vet called to say that xray showed nothing other than some constipation so they'd given him oral laxative.
I asked about endoscope and ultrasound and he said these were both possible but neither would be happening today so he really felt that we should take him home as he was so very anxious in hospital. He explained that he feels that my boy is physically well and that whatever caused him to stop eating and start vomiting has resolved but his anxiety is affecting his recovery
He asked that we take him home and see if we can get him to eat and if not bring him back.
He is much brighter than I expected. And although he hasn't eaten, he is reacting much more positively to food. No sign of nausea, no backing away. He has been sniffing and interested in the huge smorgasbord we've been tempting him with. And he is drinking loads.
They did more blood tests and the vet assured me that his organs are fine and that cats can often tolerate long periods without food so there is no panic yet.
If we can't get him to eat tomorrow then we will bring him back for further investigation, but I do feel much more confident that as he settles and once the laxatives work we might be able to get something into him.
So overall feeling much more positive.
Oh - and although he's a little spaced and skinny and wobbly, he's got a lot of energy and has been jumping in and out of windowsill and managed to give me a lovely bite on the cheek while I was giving his appetite stimulant!

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 08/01/2015 23:29

Late to the thread but our old girl was very ill this summer. She lost loads of weight and ended up at the vets on a drip. She wasn't eating and looked half dead.
She rallied but we never found out what was wrong. She had been in a cattery. (Lovely place we have used before.) Perhaps she picked up a virus or infection? Don't know but she's fine now.
Wishing you and puss well.

bettyboop1970 · 08/01/2015 23:57

Hope he soon eats something, hope it all turns out well for you.

QuickSilverFairy · 09/01/2015 00:01

Me and my four felines are sending love and hugs.

NotYouAgainLorna · 09/01/2015 00:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
NotJustAnyOldCat · 09/01/2015 23:31

Thank you all for kind wishes.
It's slow going...he had a couple of nibbles during the night and this morning but nothing since.
He still hasn't pooed but clearly wants to. He gone into his litter tray about 10 times this evening, turns a circle and comes out again without making a deposit.
He's been allowing me to rub his tummy (very unusual).
Going to phone vet in the morning for advice if he still hasn't managed to go.
Its a roller coaster.
We were ecstatic when he had a mouthful of tuna at 3am but tonight we're back to glum and worried.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 09/01/2015 23:35

Oops - sounds like he's badly constipated. (If it sits too long in the gut, it can compact and dry up and become very difficult to pass, leaving aside the issue of whether he had something inside that was causing a problem and which he needs to dispose of.) I know that circling well.

Do you know when he last poo'd?

Original poster
NotJustAnyOldCat · 09/01/2015 23:55

The xray showed he was constipated so they gave him an oral laxative yesterday and we've been giving him lactulose. Vet said he was 'mildly' constipated but going to ask if they'll do an enema tomorrow as he's had 3 lots of lactulose and nothing.
Poor boy can't catch a break Sad

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 10/01/2015 00:02

Keep your fingers crossed for tonight. The circling shows he's getting the urge but it's just not shifting so all he needs is that extra little push or a good slithery bit (sorry if TMI) and he should be on his way. He may do a little one or two followed by a big slog.

Sounds as if that would sort him out and help him to eat. (If his system is all bunged up down below, it will slow up above.)

Best of luck to him and let us know how it goes overnight.

Original poster
NotJustAnyOldCat · 10/01/2015 00:05

Thanks cozie. I agree - I really think that a good poo is what's needed. He's gone upstairs now with dh to bed.
Everything crossed that he goes before morning.
Thanks again for support and advice.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 10/01/2015 00:08

Not called The Litter Tray for nothing - the amount of time people who own cats spend worrying about toileting!

MinceSpy · 10/01/2015 07:26

Has he been able to use the litter tray yet?

Original poster
NotJustAnyOldCat · 10/01/2015 08:27

No, mince. Vet opens at 9 so dh is going to phone for advice and probably take him in. He was expected to go back for a check up a day or two after discharge anyway.
He went downstairs at usual breakfast time this morning and sat down where he gets fed. I put him out some breakfast but he sniffed it and walked away. He has been drinking water this morning.
He's had a wander over to his litter tray but not gone into it today.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 10/01/2015 09:35

He's maybe a bit discouraged after the semi-attempts last night. I'd let things be pretty well now (subject to vet action) although you might keep a gentle eye on his backside for any 'leakage'. Poor lad - such indignities.

Good luck this morning.

flamineckpip · 10/01/2015 11:26

I hope things go well at the vet. Poor boy.

cozietoesie · 10/01/2015 16:25

Any news, Not ?

Original poster
NotJustAnyOldCat · 12/01/2015 10:55

Update on poorly boy:
He had an enema on Saturday morning, came straight home, and within half an hour had a good big bowel movement.
Unfortunately this brought him little relief and for the rest of Saturday he was grumpy and uncomfortable looking and hissed if we went near him. Ate nothing.
On Sunday he was in better form and seemed much more comfortable, lying on cushions in front of the fire. We got a bit more proactive with our feeding efforts and dabbed wet cat food on his lips and nose for him to lick off. He managed this without retching and seemed OK with it but before long was vomiting again Sad. Poor thing vomited 4 times yesterday, yellow bile and then clear froth (sorry). Still not a bite eaten.
All weekend he has been drinking plenty (independently) and, using his litter tray and staying near DH and I for company which was all reassuring. Worryingly, he stopped grooming and is getting a little bit greasy.

So I have taken him back to vet this morning. They are going to carry out further blood tests to check his organs, esp liver, are still OK. They will also check for other, specific disorders inc feline leukaemia and FIV. If nothing shows (as expected), they will start him on steroids today with a view to treating him as if he has inflammatory bowel disease, which can only be diagnosed by stomach biopsy. If he responds to the steroids they will refer us for this biopsy when he is a bit stronger to confirm the ibd. If not, they will refer us for an endoscopy and ultrasound.
I am SO worried that is now 10 days since he has eaten,but the vet was less concerned, saying that so long as his organs are still OK, he is more keen to find the underlying problem than to just get the lad eating again.

He really hates being at the vet hospital but he won't be stopping overnight this time. Hopefully I'll be bringing home a steroid-hungry, comfortable, pain free boy this afternoon.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 12/01/2015 12:09

Ah well - the vet's the man on the ground, here - but so very worrying for you all. Keep us posted.