Stray Starving Kitty?

Question

We picked up this kitty in the middle of our town. He was emaciated so we took him to the vet asap. He had a clean bill of health other than an absess on his neck (healed), an awful smell, an ear infection, and severe malnourishment. He's on antibiotics and kitten food supplemented with wet food. For the past week and a half he has slowly but surely begun to improve and look more lively. Today he ate all his wet food, some dry food and drank all his water! However, he is still all skin and bones. Is there anything else I can do to ensure his speedy recovery?

Answer 1

You can get a supplement called Nutrical that will provide extra calories,but really,if the kitty is eating,he should be OK.It will just take a little time for him to put on weight.I would leave dry kitten food down for him at all times and feed wet 2 or 3 times a day.You are to be commended for saving the cat's life and you are doing just fine on getting him back to good health.

Answer 2

I think you are doing everything you can. You have done more than most people would, and you have saved this poor kitty's life.

It takes time to gain back lost weight. I would continue to follow your vets instructions.

I would suggest you find a food that does not have corn, wheat, or soy. These ingredients can cause health problems in cats.

Although it is expensive, wet food is far better than dry food for cats. I would suggest leaning more towards canned, and at least continue to mix in the canned with the dry. Here is a good link about cat food.
http://www.catinfo.org/

Thank you for doing so much for this little kitty.

Answer 3

It's not clear what kind of help or advice you're asking for; but thank you for taking in this homeless kitty. It's even harder to make suggestions without knowing his age or specific condition, but if starvation is the major issue then simple feeding and TLC may work wonders. Although it might be a stretch for your budget, $37 for an office visit is actually lower than the national average. The cat will need a rabies vaccine - they are required by law almost everywhere - and distemper for its own protection. It will also need a feline leukemia vaccination if you plan to keep letting it outside. It probably needs deworming and flea treatment too, if not done already. I highly recommend testing for FIV and leukemia - neither is an instant death sentence if he turns up positive; but you need to know to plan his future health care, and know if he needs to stay separate from other cats. And, of course, he needs to be neutered if not already done. All of this costs money, of course - there's no way around that; but, you can reduce some of your costs. Many areas, for example, have low-cost neutering programs; your vet might not know or might not want to suggest these, but local shelters would know if there are any. If you have a PETCO nearby, ask if they get visits from "Luv My Pet" (most do) - this is a good way to get basic vaccinations, testing, and flea treatment (Frontline or Advantage) cheaper than your vet. Quality dewormers (pyrantel for roundworms and praziquantel fo tapeworms) are available over the counter. Good luck with your kitty. (PS - Checked the Luv My Pet site - they don't do clinics in VW but they do serve PETCOS in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia - so if there's one over the border not too far away you can still go there. You didn't say which panhandle you're in (north or east) so I gave you the location link.)

Answer 4

Your cat needs some time until he can put on some more weight to cover up those bones. Since you notice that he is improving then it looks like he is ok. From what I read you are doing everything to help him be a healthy cat. Ask your vet if you can give him some vitamin supplements, it will help him have a healthy coat and it's good for his bones. Don't worry about him as I told you just needs time.

Answer 5

I adopted a kitty in the same condition. Just keep doing what your doing and he will get better. I also continued with wet food and sardines (a friend suggested those) until I could see a noticeable difference in his weight. He is healthy and adjusted and only eats dry food with the occasional treat of wet food. Good Luck!

Answer 6

You can get him some vitamins either at a pet store or the vet (vet is more expensive). They come in tubes and the cats I've had love it like it's some sort of treat. I've never been really particular about brand and that hasn't seemed to matter.

Answer 7

If he is nothing but skin and bones, I would give him lots of the wet cat food. In general cats seem to perfer it over the dry stuff and will eat more.

Answer 8

you have already done the best thing which is get him help. You can give him raw egg and some oily fish, but you are doing all the right things. Only time will completely heal him. You are a kind a giving person. Keep it up.

Answer 9

Nope...just keep giving him positive attention, because you have no idea what kind of living situation he was in before....abused pets take a little more convincing to come around to and trust humans again. Positive reinforcement and a good balanced diet, and he'll be fat n fluffy in no time.

Answer 10

you have done ur very best already and i am sure he is really fine. however, if u want him to get fat and big asap, let him have lots of sunshine. its the same way with my cats. i have 5 inside the house which dont really get any bigger than their outdoor counterparts. the ones i have outdoors, with same ages as those inside the house are much more bigger and fatter.