Need advice for Abby shutting down

[BenMax]

Listen - question for you all. I have a 7 year old female foster abby that I took from the shelter before her scheduled euthanasia. When I looked at her I realized that I really should have left her there, but I just couldn't. I was given drugs and sub q fluids. She has rhino pretty bad and will not eat. I have tried EVERYTHING. Opened up different brands of wet and dry, mixing, not mixing etc, raw, cooked, fresh fish, tuna, sardines...you name it. 2 days ago I sat on the floor with her trying to coax her to eat and she wanted my honey nut cherios with milk - which I just gave her since it was something. Anyways, yesterday I went and bought Cat Milk which she is actually drinking but I know it is no good for her.

Can I continue with whatever she wants? It is a miracle that she is still alive.

The vet does not have much hope for her, but I cannot give up. I do realize there is a fine line on what is humane and what is not. I have to tell you that she will walk to me and give me those Abby headbutts. I just cannot think of the alternative and want to keep plugging away at this.

Please - your input is so very important and suggestions, opinions, comments are very welcomed.

Thanks All!

Forgot to mention - she has been to the vets and they prescribed the meds and sub q. They are just not optimistic.

[Love4himies]

Sometimes cats can get anorexia when they become ill and is very difficult to get them to start eating again. Has your vet suggested a feeding tube? appetite stimulant? L-lysine? Is she able to smell her food?

If she like milk, try some plain yogurt or get some KMR from the vet to mix with her food. It will be more nutritional than cat milk.

Good luck!!!!!

[BenMax]

Originally Posted by Love4himies

Sometimes cats can get anorexia when they become ill and is very difficult to get them to start eating again. Has your vet suggested a feeding tube? appetite stimulant? L-lysine? Is she able to smell her food?

If she like milk, try some plain yogurt or get some KMR from the vet to mix with her food. It will be more nutritional than cat milk.

Good luck!!!!!

Yes she is given L-Lysine and I also have Forti Flora in the food. I thought maybe it was that she would not eat so I have several 'sample' foods out there for her to try. Looks like a buffet.

My neighbour did some 'energy' thing on her and then gave her a few kibbles of something and she ate a few...so that is progress. However, when back in the house, she retreats again and it looks depressed. For this reason the BF took a day off to keep her outside with him as much as possible to try and keep her moving forward.

Cpietra- I just cannot give up hope just yet.

[Love4himies]

Are you able to syringe feed her? Kitten Wellness I found was the easiest cat food to mix with water so I could get it through the syringe.

[BenMax]

Originally Posted by Love4himies

Are you able to syringe feed her? Kitten Wellness I found was the easiest cat food to mix with water so I could get it through the syringe.

Yes - I am force feeding but she clamps down so hard that it is very difficult. I get in what I can. If I force too much she goes limp and I realize that she is using all her energy fighting me. But - yes - I am getting in what I can. I have wellness along with other brands.

[Love4himies]

Originally Posted by BenMax

Yes - I am force feeding but she clamps down so hard that it is very difficult. I get in what I can. If I force too much she goes limp and I realize that she is using all her energy fighting me. But - yes - I am getting in what I can. I have wellness along with other brands.

Poor girl. I imagine it would have to be done very slowly so she can breathe in between

[cpietra16]

Originally Posted by BenMax

Cpietra- I just cannot give up hope just yet.

Thats what I mean....if I had given up on Nickie 16 years ago....at the age a few days old...I would have missed all these years with her...do not give up, especially if the kitty is no where close to giving up.

[BenMax]

Originally Posted by cpietra16

Thats what I mean....if I had given up on Nickie 16 years ago....at the age a few days old...I would have missed all these years with her...do not give up, especially if the kitty is no where close to giving up.

Thanks Cpietra. I will continue. I was hoping that being at my place would do her some good. I truly feel that at the clinic she was declining more rapidly and showed no life whatsoever regardless of the efforts made. Sometimes just the reassurance that they have a place boosts them somewhat. Frenchy currently is fostering Daisy which was in the same condition. I kept her until she was healthy and she recovered incredibly fast. I am keeping his in mind for this little Abby.

[BenMax]

Leaving now. Hopefully on Monday I will have good news.

Thank you for all your suggestions, opinions and good wishes. Please say an extra prayer for this little angel.

[cpietra16]

I don't know about Abbey's condition, but 16 years ago when they almost forced me to put Nickie down, I fought against.. the rest is history.
She too had Rhino, and everything else...I am not telling you wha tto do, but if she is not suffering and is eating, even if its human food....just wait. Miracles do happen..

[ownedbycats]

If she is not suffering, and you are willing to put in the time, effort and money required to nurse a sick cat, then no, letting her live in not inhumane (in fact it requires lots of and )

[BenMax]

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

If she is not suffering, and you are willing to put in the time, effort and money required to nurse a sick cat, then no, letting her live in not inhumane (in fact it requires lots of and )

Thank you ownedbycats, but I did remove her from another clinic as they felt it more humane to let her go. I just couldn't do it and decided to try myself. She has been with me now for 3 days and she has not improved at all. I do realize that her system may be shutting down yet when I bring her outside I see alot of life in her. She scratches her non existance nails on the concrete, catches bugs and eats them, and follows me wherever I go. This is what is keeping me going.

2 nights ago, I took her out at midnight for 45 minutes as I thought it would be her last night with me. But - she was up in the morning.

[diandpat]

Aw poor Abby...Ziggy had rhino/uri when I adopted him and was just miserable too. It does not say how long you have had Abby but it took a solid month to get Ziggy on the mend.

Other than the Lysine I would suggest when trying to feed her (whatever she will eat...Ziggy liked scramble eggs and cheese!) do it from an elevated dish. Ziggy ate much better that way...seemed more comfortable.

Also, from the yahoo group of feline herpes, they suggested Loratadine which is a decongestant that will get rid of some of the mucus so that she can smell what she is trying to eat.

Bless you for once again going the extra mile for a poor soul. Hope she can get some food in her soon and begin to enjoy life Chez Benmax