my cat wont eat...?

Question

last week she had alot of coughing episodes, we were thinking a hairball that she cant get up. well its been 5 days and she still wont eat ANYTHING. she started drinking water again, but nothing else. she has definatly lost weight. ive already taken her to the vet and the estimate to find out what was wrong with her was over 700$.. im sorry but i wouldnt even pay that much for ME to go to a doctor. im a college student and cant afford it. shes doing alot better but still not eating. any adivice? i was told to give her gatoraid but she doesnt like the flavor. i dont want stupid responces like "u need to take her to a vet.." already have,... and no stupid remarks, if you dont know anything on the topic. i dont have time with her to waste on silling answers, its been 5 days with out food remember... thanks!

Answer 1

You can try changing her food. Cats can be very picky and their tastes can change. However it's definitely a serious problem since it's been going on for this many days. You can attempt to force feed her. Take some soft canned food (a type without chunks in it) and mix it with a small amount of warm (not hot) water. Mix it up in a blender until it's about the consistency of a milk shake. Use a syringe to feed her the slurry. Feed her slowly and in small amounts. Watch for any vomiting or regurgitation. If this doesn't work I'm sorry to say that seeing the vet can be the only solution if you want to find out what's wrong. She may have some kind of blockage. Has she been going to the bathroom normally? Please consider taking her back to the vet if feeding her by hand doesn't work. I'm sure your vet will suggest a way to make the cost easier for you to pay. Good luck and hope she gets better.

Answer 2

Who in the bloody heck told you to give her gatorade? That isn't healthy for humans, let alone animals. Maybe they meant Pedialyte? It's a liquid supplement for babies and children. There are flavors, but get the regular stuff. It's less than 10.00 a bottle- BIG bottle. Use a medecine syringe (the pharmacist may give you one if you explain the situation, they usually have a few behind the counter). The Pedialyte will help keep up the electrolytes and sugars she needs. If you are concerned about the taste, try adding some chicken or beef broth (less than 1.00 per can at the grocery store, should last you a few days). Don't give her too much at once, or she may throw it back up. DO NOT give her tuna juice, it is notorious for causing crystals (like kidney stones for humans). You could also try watered down can food, too, in a couple of days. Just remember, small amounts, or it'll be too much for her tummy.

You could also buy a tube of vitamins from the vet. Last time I bought this stuff, it was 12.00 (a few years ago, in Nova Scotia). As I recall, I had no problem getting my cat to eat it, she loved the taste of it.

Good luck.

Answer 3

To start with I would buy some baby formula and a dropper and make her eat that. Since she is drinking water she might take the formula on her own. I have had many cats that I have nursed back to health this way. The baby formula is pretty much the same thing as kitten formula except a lot cheaper. If your cat is prone to hairballs I would suggest a food that prevents them. I would suggest Purina One Hair Ball Formula. I have a long haired cat that used to get hairballs constantly but after eating that food he has not had even a sign of one. I would also suggets the paste hairball treatment until this one is gone. I hope all goes well for you and kitty. Good Luck.

Answer 4

If she'll drink, try getting her some nutrients in the water. Drain the water off a can of tuna and let her drink that. Next time, add just a tiny bit of fish oil--like cod liver oil. Try a little raw egg. Maybe you can gradually get her to work back up to food with some TLC. As for your vet, it seems to me there are plenty of things that can be tried without spending $700! I went through something similar with my cat recently, and it was nowhere near that much. Unfortunately, my cat had feline leukemia, and soon died. This probably isn't the case with your cat if she's feeling better, since once they get really sick with that, they don't usually get much better. Could you try another vet? It would be a shame if your cat died of something that is easily treated for a fee you can afford.

Answer 5

Try wet food or human tuna that is not in salt water, but fresh water, and don't give her any liquid, just fish out the tuna and give that to her. I'm sorry she is not eating, I can only imagine the amount of stress you are going through. Animals are much like humans in that if there is something wrong and her body is fighting it then you just have to let her fight it until she's ready. Just keep food out for her and let her eat when she and her body are ready. I know when I get sick or get food poisoning I don't want to eat or drink anything, this could be the same thing. I say wait a few more days and just see what happens. I'm sorry and good luck.

Answer 6

How old is your cat? If it's in the 6 mos to a year range he could just be I na growth spurt and so the weight loss wouldn't be abnormal. And what were his eating habits before you noticed his weight loss? Some animals eat very little throughout the day. You've tried wet food? raw meats?
were her temperature and heart rate normal when you went to the vet? have you thought of depression? if she was a farm cat who you've recently brought to live in an apartment, or if a pal that she had is gone now due to whatever reasons ,she may be depressed.
these are just a few ideas.. since i have no idea of it's history, or age and general health prior to the occurrences.. these are my best guesses :) good luck with everything

Answer 7

Hey the cat could be hydrophobic.All my cats had ended up by refusing food and constantly sitting near water.During this spell of illness, they also drool a lot from their mouth.Most of them ended up this way,but recently one of my tom cat exhibited same symptoms,but surprisingly became healthy within a week on its own.Hydrophobia necessarily doesnt mean that the cat has to become violent.This can be passive hydrophobia.Since it is already more then 5-6 days and the cat is still living,hydrophobia can be ruled out safely,because rabies takes its toll within 7 to 10 days.You cannot do anything much.Just pray and wait for it to get healthy.Try giving the cat the food which it liked.Good luck.

Answer 8

I know this isn't the type of thing you like to hear but can't you at least take her to the vet for an x-ray?An x-ray doesn't cost that much and can tell you a lot of things.Go to the vet and tell him you don't have that kind of money and if you can maybe do only the very necessery examinations and not the thorough.It isn't normal for her not to eat for this long and there is really no way of knowing what's wrong with her without an examination.Sorry I know this isn't what you want to hear but it's the best I can do.if you cant afford her maybe u can find a new home for her where they can.

Answer 9

Have you tried eggs? Cats can have raw or cooked eggs (just lightly beat the raw eggs & scramble to cook). That will give her some protein in liquid form that she can get down.
There is a hair ball solution at the pet store that comes in a tube & they lick it off a spoon or your finger that you could try, or give her about a 1/4 tsp. of flax seed oil (once a day) to try and see if you can help her pass whatever is bothering her.

I think $700 is a ridiculous amount of money for a vet to charge you and I can understand your dilemma. I wouldn't be able to pay that amount either.

Answer 10

What was the vet going to do that cost $700? If its a hair ball ? Go to a Pet store and ask them for a tube of hair ball meds for cats ,also buy cat food that helps with hair balls.If you fill that she is extremely ill get a second opinion and see if they will work out payments with you.