Cat won't eat

[Mumwithbaggage]

Till a day or so ago our tiny cat was eating just fine. She did lots of throwing up yesterday and I took her to the vet this morning. Was up till 4 giving her tiny bits of water every 30 mins. Apparently has hypothyroidism which was fine when last full bloods were done but makes sense as she's tiny. Given v expensive drops. Vet just said she won't eat if feeling unwell. She's had a bit of water and cat milk today but will eat nothing. Seems lethargic but she must be very hungry. She's 13.

Any ideas? Dd is beside herself and trying to force feed her to avoid fatty liver disease. I know it doesn't look good.

Have you tried her with something tasty like sardines?

Could also try Lick-e-lix which is sort of like cat yogurt, so runny, but nutritious.

Will look for that tomorrow if she's still going. Dd has just warmed up some cat food to try to get her interested. We tried tuna - no sardines in the house sadly.

Has the vet given her any anti sickness medication? Penelope had Mirtazipine when she didn’t eat or drink for 5 days after her teeth out. It worked miracles. She also had a nasogastric tube but she did t need it when the mirtazipine kicked in. I was really worried about liver disease.

Try a beaten egg

Now I'm home and they are closed for the night I think the vet was rubbish today. I made the appointment because she wasn't eating and they diagnosed something else but the problem wasn't addressed. Cross with myself too. No appetite enhancing or anti sickness drugs given. Just come back in a month. She won't be here if she doesn't eat soon.

Ah I was going to suggest tuna, if not chicken, salmon or lick-e-licks. I have freaked myself out about the liver thing when my cat decides to fast, which she does in got weather and she has always been fine. Whenever she is poorly or not eating I jump up like it is Christmas morning to check her bowl and see if she has eaten.

Sorry you are so worried and I hope she perks up soon 💐

I've liquidised a bit of cat food with boiled water and put it in an icing syringe. Just would like a bit of something in her tummy tonight.

You can get the runny cat soup. I'd try that. I'd also try smearing a little cat yogurt on a plate and see if she tries it. Failing that if not eaten for over 2 days you need to get kitten milk and syringe feed a little into her mouth every 4 hours.

@MumwithbaggageHope she’s taken some of that…how is she?

Came on to say try cat soup @caringcarer. We gave it to our 23 yo when she stopped eating and she took it for a while. I think OP 's got a good idea.

OP did the vet look at her teeth and gums? Sometimes cats are reluctant to eat due to gum disease.

Generally I don’t recommend syringe feeding cats - they find it stressful, especially if they feel nauseous, and it can make them food averse. It’s fine to tempt them every hour or so, usually with warmed smelly food like fish, or lick-e-lix, but don’t leave the food out if they don’t fancy it.

I would recommend going back to the vet - hyperthyroidism doesn’t usually present with them being off their food (although it can in some cases) so I’d be looking for other issues. Short term dehydration is more of a concern than not eating, so they might want to put her on a drip while trying drugs to support appetite.

Hope she is feeling better soon.

I wouldn’t syringe either. Cats wont eat if they’re in pain or unwell. My girl was poorly last year, took her a few weeks to eat properly again.
The lick e lix treats were a dream for getting her meds in her and her appetite came back slowly but surely. I agree with pp, dehydration is more of a concern, my girl had to be on a drip and the vet recommended wet food only, even adding slightly more water into it or like someone else suggested the cat soups. Of course if you’re still concerned go back to the vet for another opinion. Good luck op.

Thanks for all the advice. She's had a few licks of water and a bit more cat milk. Can't bring myself to upset her with the syringe, poor little thing. Will find some cat soup and lick e lix this morning and try tempting her. She normally eats really well and it was very sudden so yes, the hyperthyroidism doesn't seem to explain that.

Dd adores the cat (we all do, but you know what I mean) and I know she's very realistic but it makes me sad.

Little Dink died at around 11.20pm. She was very much adored and died peacefully in her sleep. The vets didn't address the issue at all. I will be discussing their care with them. OK, she may very well have died anyway but I probably didn't need to spend £97 on a bottle of Thiamacare that retails on line for £23! Wouldn't even mind that if they'd given me some support about the issue I booked with - severe vomiting and not eating for 24 hours.

As I said before, thank you for all the advice and kind words. It means a lot x

Oh I'm so sorry to hear this. You must all be devastated to lose your precious kitty.

At least she went peacefully. Very sorry for your loss.

It sounds as if she had hyperthyroidism not hypothyroidism. The medication is to bring the thyroid levels down.
Unfortunately having very high thyroid hormone can cause all sorts of symptoms including vomiting and diarrhoea, but it also causes major changes to the heart muscle which can be reversed over time with the medicine, but unfortunately sometimes the heart doesn’t have time for the medicine to work and everything can decline really quickly.
It sounds as if she was very poorly but I don’t think your vet gave the wrong treatment. I’m sorry for your loss.

I’m so sorry…love to you and your family.

@AsideFromThis yes I meant hyperthyroidism. Sorry.

Lovely little cat. I'm pleased she hasn't seemed too distressed the last two days.DD has come to terms with it and her bf is here (she's 22) and he's a cat lover too so all will be well xx

Oh I'm so sorry.

So sorry for your loss. You obviously did all you could and sounds like she had a lovely life

So sorry. But at least it was peaceful, and with the people she loved.