Cat flu

[EnjoyTheSimpleThingsInLife]

One of my cats has got cat flu. We saw the vet last Monday, he gave him an injection for the temperature, antibiotics, a powder thing, and spray for his food.

He does seem a bit better but he isn't eating at all. He has lost a lot of weight over the last 2 weeks and I am really worried about him.

Can anyone suggest ways I can encourage him to eat please??

How old is he Enjoy ?

PS - how many other cats are there and have they all has their shots regularly?

He is about 7 years old. 1 other cat, who we took in a few months ago, she is about 4 years. She is fine, no flu or anything.

We took Charlie (the cat with flu) to the vets about 4 weeks ago, he had conjunctivitis, that got treated but a week later he started getting really ill and this week we got told he has cat flu but should be okay.

When our cat was ill we were advised to warm food in the microwave a little as it smells more. Also smear a little around the mouth so they lick it off and hopefully become interested in eating. I ended up holding a spoon or fork with food under her nose which helped.
Obviously this advise only helps for wet food....

Thank you Vino I will try that now, he usually only eats wet food anyway, he doesn't really like dry food.

Also, maybe little and often. If he's still not eating your vet could maybe prescribe appetite stimulants?
Hope he's better soon.

We have got another appointment booked for Monday morning, will see what the vet says then.

I have just tried giving him warm salmon but he's still not interested.

Will keep trying, thank you.

If he is not eating you need to resee a vet before Monday cats get in trouble really quickly through not eating.

Has he eaten anything yet? Like Lone said they can become very ill if they don't eat.

Thanks for all your advice.

Charlie still isn't eating, but he has been drinking more.

Just got back from the vets, he has given us steroid tablets to try this week, they should get his appetite up.

He said if they don't work and I can't afford tests to be done, then maybe he will have to put asleep I just can't agree that.

I'm sure he will be fine once he starts eating again.

How's he doing? Am hoping he's picked up and is eating a bit.

His eyes and nose have cleared up, he's still not eating properly but is eating more than he was. He's eating bits of tuna and drinking cat milk.

He has lost so much weight it's shocking hopefully he will eat properly soon!

Tuna is often not real good for them but it sounds as if he's going for the strong flavours - not unusual if he's had problems with his nose which might have impacted his sense of smell and taste.

Sometimes it's a question of getting their systems going again. What other foods have you tried him on?

PS - is he using his tray?

Yay, pleased he's started eating. When ours was ill (completely different illness) it was a case of trying anything to get her to eat so strong smells do help.

One thing to try - if you haven't already.

I've found (with a reuluctant eater) that they can be put off eating their food by all sorts of things including the general situation and whether they feel safe, warm etc etc at their food bowl. Maybe try to ensure that he's offered food in as good a situation as possible, say in a room where you are sitting/close to you and eg when you're eating also - they're not always keen on being observed at their business and you eating at the same time seems to provide them with some form of security/ a model to copy.

I don't understand this entirely but I've noticed that Seniorboy -aka Mr Picky - eats better when I'm doing something like eating at the same time and close to him. It doesn't need to last for ever - just to get his system going again.