I’m the proud cat mum of a little girl who’ll be 12 at the end of the month – we call her Belette!!!
On Tuesday 25th Jan, we were having a little cuddle and when I put her back down on the floor, I noticed she was losing her balance and then started limping slightly!! At first, I thought she must have just hurt herself while having a mad half-hour... I kept a close eye on my Belette and sure enough, I saw she had a small wound on her back right leg (on the side of the 'knee')!! I cleaned it up a bit with some antiseptic and told myself it was something to watch!!!
The next day, Belette was limping even more than the day before... to me, it’s not normal for a tiny wound to make her limp that much... so I decided to book an appointment with her vet!!!
On Thursday we went to the appointment... and the news was a shock... that little wound was actually a tumour that had created a lump in her thigh!!
The vet strongly recommended surgery as soon as possible to remove the mass, as it’s clearly bothering her terribly, and to have it analysed to find out if it’s a benign tumour or not!
My Belette is on anti-inflammatories while we wait for her surgery!
The following Monday was surgery day... I picked her up in the afternoon... the operation went well and we should have the results for the tumour within 15 days max!!!
She’s on antibiotics and anti-inflammatories for 5 days post-op!!!
On Tuesday and Wednesday, she was slowly recovering... she ate a tiny bit... drank some water and a few drops of milk as a well-deserved treat, as she’s been so brave these last two weeks!!!
On Thursday, she tried to use her litter tray... she was scratching at the litter... arching her back... straining, but nothing was happening!!
Oh no, she looks constipated... she’s vomited bile 5 times... I called the clinic straight away, but they can’t see her until tomorrow!! On the vet's advice, the receptionist told me not to give her the antibiotics or anti-inflammatories until our appointment (it could be those that are upsetting her little tummy) and to give her some sugar water in the meantime to help keep her going!!
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It just goes to show it’s better to have a slightly overweight cat than the other way around, because when they get poorly, the weight drops off them so quickly. At least in this case, he had some reserves to fall back on, which is a very good thing.
If I’m not mistaken, though, not eating is actually more dangerous for an overweight cat. This is because their body starts using up fat stores which then build up in the liver and release triglycerides, and there’s a real risk of hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease).
It just goes to show it’s better to have an overweight cat than the other way around, because when they have health issues, the weight drops off so quickly. But at least she had some reserves, which is a really good thing. She might also just be feeling a bit rough after the operation, and her appetite will pick up bit by bit. Right after surgery, the painkillers are still in effect; it’s usually after a few days that things take a bit of a dip when they start feeling the pain. As for her throat, maybe it’s a bit of irritation from being intubated? Give the vet a ring tomorrow morning—they’ll tell you if you need to take her back in or not. That’ll save you a wasted journey if they don’t think anything’s out of the ordinary.
It’s never easy leaving them alone at times like this, but she’ll mostly just sleep. Leave an item of clothing you’ve worn in her bed; she’ll be able to smell you, and it’ll help keep her calm.
On the other hand, if she isn't pooing, that's fairly normal considering she isn't eating. As long as you don't see her hunched up in a corner with a glazed expression, she's hanging in there, and who knows, maybe she nibbles a bit at night or when you're not looking. Has she lost much weight since the op? Cats can have strange reactions after major surgery; maybe you just need to give it time while making sure she gets a little something down. Keep us posted and don't lose hope—cats have incredible resilience.
She ate a tiny bit during the two days following the surgery, but nothing at all since then... she used to be an overweight kitty, about 13 lbs... last September the vet ordered us to put her on a diet for her health... it was so hard having to cut back her food... but there was progress!! Looking back, I'm kicking myself for not opening my eyes sooner... her weight loss was actually due to the tumour... she weighed about 8 lbs for the operation... I must admit I haven't thought to weigh her since... I'll do it in a bit when I wake her up to try and feed her!!!
I'm almost certain she hasn't touched her bowls... I arrange the food so I can see if it's been moved, and nothing seems to have budged!!
She gets up now and then to go and lie in the warmth by the stove for ten minutes or so... then goes back to her bed!!! She only goes to hide behind the sofa when I'm pestering her to force her to eat, but she never stays there very long!!! Her eyes don't look glazed over either!!!
However, I get the impression she's having trouble swallowing (even her own saliva), a bit like when we humans have a sore throat!!
I know she's very brave, but sometimes that isn't enough... I have to go to work tonight... and it's making me feel sick having to leave her alone at a time like this!!
Thanks again for your help... I'll keep you updated on how she's doing, of course!!
Mind you, if she’s not pooing, it’s fairly normal given that she isn't eating. As long as she isn’t hunched up in a corner with a glazed look in her eyes, she’s hanging in there—and who knows, she might be picking at a bit of food during the night or when you’re not around. Has she lost much weight since her op? Cats can react quite strangely after major surgery, so it might just be a case of giving it some time while making sure she’s getting at least a little something down her. Keep us posted and don’t lose hope; cats are incredibly resilient.
I had exactly this problem with my girl and for no apparent reason, from one day to the next, she just refused to eat. I had no choice but to syringe-feed her. I know it’s not easy with some cats, but you have to try and restrain her while you're sitting down—hold her like a baby with her bum on your lap, use your arm to pin her front paws and tuck her head into the crook of your elbow. Then, with your other hand, try to get the syringe or the Nutri-Plus gel in. Having a cat who is difficult to the extreme, I know it’s quite a task, but you’ll get there in the end—wear leather gloves if you have to. If you really can’t manage it, the best thing is to take her back to the vet if you see she’s looking really poorly. You don’t even need to open her mouth; just put the syringe into the side of her mouth where there's a little gap, and then you can squeeze in the food or water. Good luck, I know exactly what it’s like with my latest cat; I’d never had any trouble with the others, so I understand better now why some people find it so hard. Even if she’s just lapped up a bit of milk, that’s better than nothing. If you want to check if she’s dehydrated, pinch the skin on her neck or her leg; if the skin stays pinched, she’s dehydrated, but if it snaps back straight away, she’s fine.
Thanks Ulalie, thank you so much for your great advice, I’m going to try and follow it all to the letter...
I pinched her skin and it seems to go back, so she doesn’t seem to be dehydrated!!!
I won't use gloves because I don’t want to stress her out... but it’s a good idea... and anyway, she already bit me on Friday at the vet’s during her injection for abdominal pain (apparently that one stings) and I’d never hold it against her, I know she’s suffering much more!!!
I’m definitely calling the vet first thing tomorrow morning as I’m far too worried about her!!!
I just hope I’ll be effective enough for her to hang in there until tomorrow!!!
Thanks a million for taking the time to give me advice!!
I had exactly the same problem with my girl. For no apparent reason, she just stopped eating overnight and I had no choice but to syringe-feed her. I know it isn't easy with some cats, but you have to try and keep her still. When you're sitting down, hold her like a baby with her bottom on your lap; use one arm to pin her front paws and cradle her head in the crook of your elbow, then use your other hand to give her the syringe or some Nutri-Plus gel. Having a cat that’s incredibly stubborn, I know it can be quite a struggle, but you’ll get the hang of it in the end—wear leather gloves if you have to! If you really can’t manage it, the best thing to do is take her back to the vet if she looks like she's in a bad way.
You don’t even need to open her mouth; just put the syringe into the side of her mouth—there’s a little gap there where you can squeeze in the food or water. Best of luck, I know exactly what it’s like. With my latest cat, I finally realised why some people find it so difficult, as I’d never had any trouble with my others.
The fact she’s lapped up a bit of milk is better than nothing. If you want to check if she’s dehydrated, pinch the skin on her neck or her leg; if the skin stays pinched, she’s dehydrated, but if it snaps back immediately, she’s okay.
On top of syringe-feeding her some mush—making sure to go in through the side of her mouth and going very slowly, bit by bit—and doing the same with water (to make sure it doesn't go down the wrong way), you can give her some Nutri-plus gel. It’s very palatable and full of essential vitamins and nutrients; it really helps to stimulate their appetite. Give her about a 2cm squeeze directly into her mouth, morning and evening, until her appetite comes back. Just put it on your finger and that's it! If she spits a little bit out, it doesn't matter, she’ll still have swallowed some. You can get it at the vet's, or you can order it through a pharmacy or pet websites. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for little Belette and hope it’s nothing too serious.
Thanks Ulalie, I’ll try and follow your advice... Being all on my own with little Belette, it’s so difficult to hold her, get her mouth open and use the syringe!! I’m doing my absolute best... but how can I tell if the tiny amount she’s swallowed is enough to keep her alive until tomorrow!!!
She had two tiny laps of milk this morning... is that enough to keep her from getting dehydrated??? I’m absolutely devastated... I’m watching my little baby just give up... it’s heartbreaking!!!
As well as syringe-feeding her some mush—making sure to go in through the side of her mouth and taking it very slowly, millimetre by millimetre—and doing the same with water (to stop it going down the wrong way), you can give her some Nutri-plus gel. It’s very palatable and packed with all the necessary vitamins and nutrients; plus, it helps get their appetite back. Give her about a 2cm strip directly into her mouth, morning and night, until she starts eating again. Just put it on your finger and—there you go!—in it goes. Don’t worry if she spits a little bit out, she’ll still have swallowed some of it anyway. You can get it from the vet, or you can order it through a pharmacy or from pet websites.
I’ve got my fingers crossed for little Belette and hope it’s nothing too serious.
Hi, my kitty was hospitalised for a day after she was poisoned. When I picked her up the next day she didn't eat a thing, and didn't for the next few days either. I took her to another emergency vet, who syringe-fed her some Hill's Restorative Care wet food and gave her another jab. For home, he gave me the same wet food to mix with a bit of water and syringe-feed her, along with a mild calming supplement called Alphazium (it's over-the-counter) because the trauma and stress from being in the hospital meant she just wouldn't eat. After four days, she finally started eating again. I’d definitely get back in touch with the vet because it can get dangerous quite quickly when a cat stops eating. Hang in there, I hope everything works out.
Thanks for the advice, Yume... the vet did tell me that just like humans, cats can have a few tummy issues after an operation!!
She did eat a little bit for the first two days after the surgery... I’m definitely going to call the vet on Monday to see what they think!!!
But I’m worried that taking her to the vet so often lately (twice in the last fortnight) (and she has to go back again in a week to have her stitches out) will just cause extra stress, which won’t help her appetite or recovery at all (she’s not used to the car at all)!!
Especially since her last vet appointment didn’t go very well... she really suffered with that injection for her stomach pain (which the vet said stings a lot) and she gave us a proper bite!!
I’m going to try syringe-feeding her some wet food and water in the meantime!!
Thanks for the support.
Hi there, my girl was hospitalised for a day after a poisoning scare. When I picked her up the next day, she wouldn't eat a thing, and she still wasn't eating for the next few days. I took her to an emergency vet, who syringe-fed her some Hill's Restorative Care wet food and gave her another injection. For at home, they gave me more of the same wet food, which I mixed with a bit of water to syringe-feed her, along with a mild calming supplement called Alphazium (you can get it over the counter). The vet thought the trauma and stress of being at the clinic was why she wasn't eating. After four days, she finally started eating again. I’d definitely get back in touch with the vet, as it can get dangerous very quickly when a cat stops eating. Hang in there, I really hope everything turns out okay.
