Televets

• Home
• »
• Pet Questions
• »
• View Question

Cat sudden weight loss and lack of appetite

Hello, our cat had renal failure last August, we took "Teddy" to a animal hospital and they gave him tests and lactate ringers solution to get rehydrated. All the levels came back to just about normal. This past week, my wife noticed Teddy getting dehydrated again so she took him to the vet and they gave him more fluid and additional blood work. When she brought him home, Teddy was very alert and active. Now, he has not eaten for the last few days as we continue to give him the ringers fluid. The vet put potassium fluid in the bag for preventative reasons due to a low/normal range of 3.7. We have given him 2.5 mgs of pepsid twice a day, but still no appetite. We have tried baby food with no results. What can we do to make him eat to gain his weight back? Teddy weighed approx. 11.7 lbs a month ago now as of a few days ago he weighs 8.75 lbs. Please help!!! Dave and Julie of NY

•   Donna Sammond says:

  February 01st, 2009 at 05:33 PM

  Hi - I know how hard it is to get cats with kidney disease to eat.  Some of the things the doctors I've worked with have tried:

  1) Amphogel or pepsid to help with the nausea

  2) Warming his food and then syringe feeding to start out.  Hill's a/d is great for syringe feeding.  Also, have you tried offering dry k/d...sometimes cats that usually like canned food will now like dry.

  3) cyproheptidine - it's an antihistamine but sometimes helps with appetite

  4) one of my cats with kidney disease loved turkey - but it had to be freshly baked!

  5) Does your cat respond to catnip?  Sometimes this will at least make him feel better.

  6) If your cat's blood pressure is high, ace inhibitors such as enalapril may be beneficial

  Hope your kitty feels better.  Good luck

   

  Current Rating:

  Rate This Answer:

  
  Sea Island Animal Hospital

  Sea Island Animal Hospital in Beaufort, SC is a full service companion animal hospital. It is our commitment to provide quality veterinary care throughout the life of your pet. Our services and facilities are designed to assist in routine preventive care for young, healthy pets; early detection and treatment of disease as your pet ages; and complete medical and surgical care as necessary during his or her lifetime.