Talk me out of getting a new cat

[Jackiemohro]

Yes please have her mouth and teeth checked.

Is she nauseous? Maybe start CBD drops. Our Petco now sells them. Our sick cat of cancer didn’t eat but wanted to. But then he licked the good and immediately walked away. CBd made him very hungry! And, not a long term solution, but till you know what’s going on, maybe try Gerbers Baby food. Only thing our cat was attracted too (again, his situation was different but it seemed to smell more). Some days I still had to follow with a spoon (before the CBD). There is also some „rescue“ food from the vet (after surgeries, one of these prescription brands). Very smelly and high nutrition. Have you tried temptation treats? Not healthy, I know, but again if she eats it would be a start. You can worry about a transition to something healthy later.

[hiero2]

Originally Posted by poopycat

. . .
I think I will take her to a different vet tomorrow. . . .

Hehehehe, so, you got owned! LOL, ok then!

But now you've got these issues to deal with. Hmmmm - I'm thinking I like your idea to get a 2nd vet opinion. I'm no stranger to vet-hopping to find one I like talking with and discussing our issues. I've found very few "bad" vets, and a few that were probably technically "better" - but finding one I can talk to is very very high on my priorities. I've got to feel comfortable that they share my concerns, or at least hear them.

You know, for many years I had cats, and not dogs, because I worked a job where I was gone for days (and then home for days). I never got a pet-sitter, and my cats always seemed happy and content. Usually only had one at a time. Occasionally had 2, and once had 3 (literally rescues - they were feral and dumpster diving*). So I'm in the chorus that says good on you for getting back to being a cat's person.

But the appetite is concerning. Ten years is not all that old for a cat. Normally, you'd say "when they get hungry, they'll eat" - but this doesn't sound like that is the issue. All I can say is good luck! And don't be afraid to talk to different vets.

*There's a small story about one of those guys, a male orange tabby, lean and lanky and full of energy. Found him dumpster-diving. He was happy to have a home, but he was happier outside. And, he always had the runs, no matter what he ate. Every last poop was mostly liquid. The vet guessed that he had eaten something in his feral days that damaged his digestive system. He was also more devoted to his humans than most cats - when it was time for some attention. Because of his issues, though, my lifestyle (work) wasn't a good fit for him. So, I knew a guy at work who had a farmstead out in the country. He agreed to adopt the cat. And, he became something of a character at the farm. He'd come in for 15 minutes or so at a time, just to check and make sure everything was still in place. After running his check, he'd go back out into the fields until night came. And he lived out his life that way. It was a good answer, he got his home, and fields to do whatever it was he would do.

[poopycat]

Sorry I haven’t checked in lately, it’s been a busy week. I took her to a different vet that I felt more comfortable with. She ran blood work - fine. Urine - all good. I took her for X rays one morning this week and her little belly was full! I found a type of food Sofia likes, lickable mousse. Tiki Cat makes one that is highly regarded. I had fed her the night before. But the vet said there appeared to be kibble in there too! While it did look like she had touched the dry food, it didn’t look like she had made a sizable dent. They kept her and did X rays at the end of the day to make sure it wasn’t a foreign object in there and sure enough, her stomach emptied. She didn’t eat overnight at the vet, but she did eat half a cup of dry kibble while she was waiting for me to pick her up.

When we got home, I tried another lickable brand. And she threw it up. I think I gave her too much. That night, she finished the dry food I had placed in the bowl for her. I’d prefer that she eat wet food, but at this point I just want her eating.

The vet arranged for an ultrasound the week after next and ordered a different brand of appetite stimulant. She said Sofia is a mystery; she may still have an underlying issue that could be picked up in the ultrasound or she could be a supremely picky eater. She said that if her appetite picked up, we could cancel the ultrasound. I’d like to cancel because I don’t want to put Sofia through anymore stress, but if she’s still not eating normally, I’ll go through with it for peace of mind.

I might be imagining it but I feel like she’s improving. I’ve done a lot of the things recommended on this thread: fresh chicken, tuna, heating up the food...to no avail except for a messed up and stinky microwave. But she does seem to like the lickable Tiki Cat mousse and treats, so if I can keep getting her to eat those and occasionally supplement with kibble, I will be happy. Hopefully her interest in other foods will expand over time.