Cat's teeth removed - won't eat

[meow]

My cat is 13 y.o. Her whole life she ate dry cat food (royal canin). She unexpectedly had to have all her top teeth removed due to some kitty tooth disease and was in the hospital for 2 weeks. Her vet is a dental surgeon expert. He said her mouth is healing nicely and sent her home. Each day she has been home she is eating less and less. Vet thinks she is "playing for sympathy from me" hoping she will get her dry cat food -- which she can never have again.

She liked human baby food - chicken. So I took her dry food, soaked it in water so it would turn soft, put the baby chicken food in it and warmed it. she ate it yeserday and won't eat today. she won't eat anything else either.

Vet told me to get a dog crate that looks like a jail, put her in it with litter box and food and a bed and keep her in there with no contact from me for 8 hours. Then check if she ate anything and call him. He is convinced she is being a brat and just hoping i will give in and give her dry food (which i won't/can't).

HELP!

[sugarcatmom]

Originally Posted by meow

He is convinced she is being a brat and just hoping i will give in and give her dry food (which i won't/can't).

Uh-oh. I'm not liking this vet's mentality about this. Cats have to eat, they aren't like dogs that can down-regulate their metabolism, and they also don't just stop eating because they're "being a brat". I also don't like his suggestion to lock her in a cage for 8 hours without contact. This is only going to increase her stress and make it even less likely that she eats, not more.

Couple questions: is your cat on antibiotics? What about pain-killers?

[meow]

Originally Posted by sugarcatmom

Uh-oh. I'm not liking this vet's mentality about this. Cats have to eat, they aren't like dogs that can down-regulate their metabolism, and they also don't just stop eating because they're "being a brat". I also don't like his suggestion to lock her in a cage for 8 hours without contact. This is only going to increase her stress and make it even less likely that she eats, not more.

Couple questions: is your cat on antibiotics? What about pain-killers?

she was on anitbiotics but not now. vet thinks she was tasting it in her food and it made her stop eating.she was on pain killers. not now.

[chico2]

OMG,that vet has to learn a few things about cat-behavior,not only is her mouth probably sore,but ignoring her in a cage for 8 hours is outrageous.
I would get her some Wellness canned food,if she likes Chicken baby-food,maybe she'll eat the Wellness chicken.
I would also get her some more pain-killers..

[clm]

Her mouth may be healing nicely, but still gotta be sore IMO. Contrary to popular belief, cats with no teeth can still eat dry food, after they're gums have hardened, although it's a good opportunity for you to get her onto wet food which is better for her anyway. I would keep doing what you're doing, everything you can to get her to eat and would look into another vet looking at her to see if she needs more antibiotics and painkillers.

Cindy

[Love4himies]

I would get a second opinion with a vet.

A cat should never go more than 24 hours without food as their livers do not metabolize fat energy well. I am shocked that a vet would not consider this .

Also antibiotics are notorious for causing tummy upset in cats (and humans) so that could be another reason your kitty is not eating.

Just imagine if you just got your teeth out? Would your dentist prescribe hard, crunchy food or soft food for a few weeks until you can bear to chew again? I highly recommend a quality canned food such as Wellness, grain free, Natures Variety, Instinct, and Organics by Nature.

I don't think a cat has the mental capability to play on your sympathies. I think your kitty has an upset tummy from the antibiotics or has/has had pain from eating kibble.

[sugarcatmom]

Originally Posted by meow

she was on anitbiotics but not now. vet thinks she was tasting it in her food and it made her stop eating.she was on pain killers. not now.

Antibiotics can definitely interfere with appetite. What food did the vet send home with her? It's possible she's developed a taste aversion to it, so I highly recommend trying other canned foods. Get several flavours of Fancy Feast from the grocery store and see if she's tempted by any of them.

Something else would be to pulverize her old dry food and sprinkle it on top of the canned. Or offer her some low-sodium canned salmon or sardines. Pouring tuna juice on her dry or canned is another trick. You can also get bonito flakes (aka Kitty Kaviar) and crumble it over her food.

She must eat, you can't just starve a cat into eating what you want them to. The vet is terribly mistaken in this regard. If she goes without food for more than 48 hrs, it might be time to use an appetite stimulant.

[meow]

Originally Posted by sugarcatmom

Antibiotics can definitely interfere with appetite. What food did the vet send home with her? It's possible she's developed a taste aversion to it, so I highly recommend trying other canned foods. Get several flavours of Fancy Feast from the grocery store and see if she's tempted by any of them.

Something else would be to pulverize her old dry food and sprinkle it on top of the canned. Or offer her some low-sodium canned salmon or sardines. Pouring tuna juice on her dry or canned is another trick. You can also get bonito flakes (aka Kitty Kaviar) and crumble it over her food.

She must eat, you can't just starve a cat into eating what you want them to. The vet is terribly mistaken in this regard. If she goes without food for more than 48 hrs, it might be time to use an appetite stimulant.

she ate fancy feast extravagant medleys at the vet and meow mix. won't eat it for me. i took her dry food, soaked it in water then mixed the baby food in. she ate that 2x. now she will only eat the baby food, which has no fiber in it so i have to mix fiber in. i tried grinding up her dry food and sprinkling on top wet food. she is too smart and scrapped all the dry off and didn't eat the wet. she won't eat ground up chicken or ground up tuna. i tried. she never liked people food - ever. i put the crate in the basement just now. won't do that again. i don't think the vet thinks it is good to starve her into eating. i think he was trying to get her into a confined area with the food hoping she would eat.

[sugarcatmom]

Originally Posted by meow

now she will only eat the baby food, which has no fiber in it so i have to mix fiber in.

Why does she need the fiber? That's great that she's at least eating baby food. And if she'll eat her dry food on it's own, then let her have that too. Like clm mentioned, cats can often still eat dry even without teeth.

[growler~GateKeeper]

Originally Posted by meow

My cat is 13 y.o. Her whole life she ate dry cat food (royal canin). She unexpectedly had to have all her top teeth removed due to some kitty tooth disease and was in the hospital for 2 weeks. Her vet is a dental surgeon expert. He said her mouth is healing nicely and sent her home.

Why was she in the hospital for 2 weeks? Did they remove part of her jaw bone?

Were the gums sutured closed after the teeth were removed?

My 17yr old cat had 2 large (1 from the top jaw & 1 from the bottom) & 4 tiny front teeth removed & was sent home the same day.

[meow]

I am on coumadin. The vet doesn't want to be sued if I get scratched giving her meds. I agree about the crate. I am NOT putting her in it again. she is sick. my friend went to a pet psychic who said my cat has a scratch in her throat...which is why she is not eating. I took her meds and diluted it in water and put it in a eye dropper and got it in her mouth. I started giving her antibiotics and pain meds starting tonight. The infection in her mouth went into the bone in her mouth so she has to be on anitbiotics for 6 months. I have to get them in her! she was in the hospital for 2 weeks b/c she would not eat. she was on an IV. then she got better and was going to come home and got a sinus infection so she had to stay longer.

[sugarcatmom]

Originally Posted by meow

I started giving her antibiotics and pain meds starting tonight. The infection in her mouth went into the bone in her mouth so she has to be on anitbiotics for 6 months. I have to get them in her!

If she still needs pain medication at this point, a much better option would be a Fentanyl pain patch. Lasts for 5 days and you don't have to mess with getting anything down her throat. As for the antibiotics, there is a long-lasting shot called Covenia that might be an easier option.

[Love4himies]

Antibiotics for 6 months . I would definitely be getting a second opinion. Antibiotics can kill off the good bacteria in the gut causing chronic diarrhea. Perhaps supplementing your kitty daily with some plain yogurt to help replenish the bacteria.

[meow]

yes when she is on antibiotcs for 6 months i have to give her acidopholis. this infection could have killed her. it was very severe. it wasn't just normal teeth extractions.
she was extremely difficult with the vet. satan kitty. she is not like that with me. she is like that with all vets. it wasn't just him. she is a 1 person indoor cat. the vet owns 2 cats. i think he likes cats. i think he is judging by her "satan" behavior at the hospital and he is thinking she acts like that all the times when approached with meds, etc.

[growler~GateKeeper]

Mixing in a couple of teaspoons of warm water to the canned food may also tempt her to eat. You can also try a tiny bit of melted butter on top, or sprinkle a little bit of catnip on the canned.

[meow]

she is eating gerber baby food-chicken flavor.

[kiara]

Your vet sounds harsh, please don't listen to his advice. Cat's gums heal quickly, but you have to consider that this is a very elderly cat and had all his top teeth removed and needs some time to recouperate. Is he on pain medication? If not, I would request it. Maybe you could try some new treats soaked in water and tuna without salt, some cooked chicken. Also lots of love and gentle petting goes a long way.

[rainbow]

I just read this entire thread now and just wanted to give you a hug for all you've been through ....you are a really great kitty mom.

So glad that your girl is finally eating ....you must be so relieved.

Originally Posted by meow

thank you. i wonder if i bought pure pumpkin. it was in a can. she didn't like it.

If you ever need to use the pure pumpkin again try baby food butternut squash instead.....cats often like that much better.

[meow]

Thanks everyone. Kitty ate 1x and stopped. she has not eaten in 6 days with her mouth. she is still on the Etube. I asked new vet and ICU vet if that hurt and they both say it shouldnt. i am trying EVERY canned food i can....different varieites and flavors. nothing. she won't drink water. she ate and drank when she came home and then stopped so the etube was put in. monday i had a scare b/c she vomitted profusely so we went back to i.d. food.
it has been 1 month since her surgery. new vet and icu vet don't think she needs pain meds anymore. i dunno. kitty let the icu vet touch her gums with no meds/sedative. kitty is starting to act like herself and look more alert. what can i do to get her to eat? she is on an appetite stimulant. nothing.
any ideas? she won't eat baby food, cat food, her dry cat food soaked in water....nothing. it scares me.


I love my kitty with all my heart. I hired a pet sitter to check on her and pet her at lunch when i am at work and to report to me b/c i was worried sick. it has helped. he is professional and nice and they all know him at my new vet.

thank you for your help so far.

[sugarcatmom]

Originally Posted by meow

what can i do to get her to eat? she is on an appetite stimulant. nothing.
any ideas? she won't eat baby food, cat food, her dry cat food soaked in water....nothing. it scares me.

It may just take some time. She's been through a lot and her little body has to recuperate from everything. It's a very good sign that she's looking more alert. The previous times that I've had to use a feeding tube, it took 3 months before my cats would eat on their own. I know of another person who's cat had one in for 7 months. That was several years ago and the cat is doing great today. So even though it might seem hopeless, don't give up. As long as your girl is otherwise improving, that's something to go on.

How are the feedings going?

Originally Posted by meow

I hired a pet sitter to check on her and pet her at lunch when i am at work and to report to me b/c i was worried sick. it has helped.

That's a fabulous idea. I used to drive home at lunch everyday but it was pretty exhausting.

Hang in there, you're doing awesome.

[Love4himies]

A previous boss of mine had to have her cat put on an eating tube and it took months before her kitty ate, that was about 10 years ago and her cat is healthy and happy today.

for you and sending some for your kitty to start eating on her own.

[meow]

[QUOTE=sugarcatmom;732399]

How are the feedings going?

QUOTE]
she is very compliant. she lays in my lap and lets me do it. as soon as we are done she wants to run out of the bathroom though. I sit in the bathroom and do it so if it makes a mess it is on tile. also i take her collar off and if she bolts i don't want her going anywhere and hiding and pulling out the tube. she usually purrs when i do the tube feeding and i can tell she knows i am helping her. she is an