I don't know what to do about my starving cat.

[EFerrari]

This kitty was a rescue and as it was explained to me, her mouth was allergic to her teeth.

So, she'd get these horrible infections that couldn't be solved by any anti biotic - we tried them ALL. And she wasted. :(

So, on the vet's rec, I had her teeth removed and for a while, she did okay. But, she's now back to square one. She can't eat without pain and she's wasting.

Today, I bought some kitten formula (Just Born) because she seems to be able to drink without running away screaming in pain.

I'm hating this. My poor Friday. :(

Has anyone seen this?

[EstimatedProphet]

1. I've never heard of that

Maybe milk would help?

[EFerrari]

2. Milk gives cats diarrhea.

That's why I got the kitten formula.

:(

[EstimatedProphet]

14. Really?

I didn't know that.

[EFerrari]

16. Yeah. It tastes good to them but they have trouble digesting it.

[Richard Steele]

28. They make "cat milk" that doesn't cause that problem.

I guess they remove whatever causes the digestion difficulties,
but what's left still tastes like milk. Our cats love it.

[EFerrari]

42. Cool! I didn't know that!

[cynatnite]

3. I haven't heard of that...

poor kitty. :hug:

[EFerrari]

5. Her poor mouth is like bloody hamburger.

I don't really understand it but the vet told me, it happens.

I noticed that she could drink cool liquids so I was hoping that the formula would help her.

[cynatnite]

7. What about pedialite?

Would that help? I don't think it's high in acidity. I'm not sure if cats could drink it, but at least if the vet says it's okay, then maybe she can at least keep some nutrients in her until she gets better.

I don't own pets, but it just breaks my heart when I hear about sick ones like this.

[EFerrari]

9. I don't know what that is. n/t

[cynatnite]

10. Babies and young children get it when they're sick and dehydrated...

It's wonderful stuff. It's full of electrolytes and all that. I gave it to my kids when they were babies if they were sick or couldn't keep anything down. I'm just not sure how it would be for animals.

[cynatnite]

11. Here is something that might be helpful...

http://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070629184817AAsLFQs

[EFerrari]

13. Thank you!

[SeattleGirl]

4. I haven't heard of that.

Poor baby. I hope you can figure out a solution soon.

:hug:

[EFerrari]

8. She's a little gargoyle (which is why she wasn't adopted

when I was fostering) and a very sweet girl. She looks just like Groucho Marx's mustache. lol

This is so strange. If I have to, I know how to give her nutrition via an IV but, it's so frustrating that this condition doesn't really have a protocol, let alone a solution.

The vets I talked to are all familiar with this condition but none of them really had an answer. :(

[Flaxbee]

6. could she maybe eat pureed baby food?

I have NEVER heard of such a problem, your poor Friday girl. I'm so sorry. :hug:

Maybe she could lick some pureed baby food? If you put it in a food processor and liquified it?

[EFerrari]

12. I've made her food into soup and she still avoided eating

altogether. Her mouth is hell.

Today, after I set out the kitten formula for her, I had to put her paw into it so she'd have to lick it off. She's been in a lot of pain. :(

I don't know what this condition is called but my vets seemed to be very familiar with it.

If worse comes to worse, I will beg, borrow or steal an IV. :(

[EFerrari]

15. I just tried to give her some formula and she ran away screaming.

F#ck me.

The vet has no answer. It's going to have to be an IV or something that doesn't go through her mouth.

[Maddy McCall]

17. Oh, that's terrible.

I don't even know what to say. :hug:

[EFerrari]

18. I don't know what to do.

I was so hoping that the surgery would work. :(

She's the ugliest, dearest kitty.

I guess tomorrow I have to find an IV for her, somehow, because this is serious now. She's perfectly healthy but she has this hell in her mouth that nothing seems to fix.

Thanks, Maddy. :hug:

[NewWaveChick1981]

19. Is there something your vet or you can do intravenously?

It would be a temporary solution, of course, but it would definitely help. :) I feel terrible for your poor kitty. :hug:

[EFerrari]

21. I don't know. I'm calling the office as soon as it opens.

I've given fluids before but have never had to manage an IV.

[achtung_circus]

20. I hate doing this

but I'm going to put on my uniform and say that at some point you, as the animal's caregiver, have to make a decision about quality of life.

If the veterinarians have done their best and are not able to relieve the distress, it falls to you to make that very difficult decision.

Intravenous anything is a very short-term solution and if it is not resolving the situation, but merely extending the cat's pain then it may be time to fish or cut bait.

IV is generally for fluid replacement and maintaining hydration. It will not provide the nutrient, the energy, protein, macro and micro nutrients required to maintain life.

[bicentennial_baby]

22. Agreed.

:(

[LeftyMom]

23. That's what I'm thinking

That's no way to live, if there's no solution or end in sight.

[EFerrari]

24. You're right, of course. We're running out of solutions here.

We're not there yet but it won't be long if we don't find something soon. My guys have four great vets at the clinic that I trust.

I got Friday one Friday with a foster litter and she was too ugly to adopt out, lol. So, I went over my two cat limit and she stayed with us. A very sweet girl who'd obviously had a rough time at her previous home. She's had six good years that she wouldn't have had if my rescue group hadn't bailed her out of jail. At least, that's something.

[Brigid]

25. This is so sad.

Poor little kitty. My heart goes out to you both. :(

[Rosemary2205]

26. I hate to agree.

Poor little kittie.

[AtomicKitten]

27. quality of life

So underestimated.

I saw a piece on Animal Planet where a family put their beautiful Golden Retriever through the most aggressive cancer treatments. Ultimately his heart failed and the family insisted they try to resuscitate. The vets were in tears pounding on this magnificent creature, thank god to no avail and he passed, finally, peacefully.

[flvegan]

29. Is this feline stomatitis (sp?)?

How long ago were the teeth removed and what was she eating up to this point?

[EFerrari]

30. She couldn't eat because she kept getting these terrible infections.

That's why we had the teeth removed. I don't know the technical name of this condition.

It's been about three months since her surgery. For a while, she seemed to be doing fine. :(

[flvegan]

31. It sounds like feline stomatitis.

It's an allergy to the plaque on the teeth. If that's what it is, has your vet tried interferon?

[EFerrari]

33. I don't recognize that name so I don't think so.

[merh]

36. Wow, check out this link

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pointe/9352/stomatitis.html

As someone that has lived with herpes stomatitis since I was a babe, I can tell you that lysine is the only effective treatment I have found. They say it is helpful in treating cats with the feline stomatitis.

Good luck, sweety. I know you are giving Friday the best of care and loving her madly. :hug:

:loveya:

[EFerrari]

38. I will! Thanks so much, merh.

:hug:

I'm trying to stay calm and just observe her. Her problem doesn't seem to be all over her mouth the way it was when she had her teeth. It seems to be only in one or two specific spots.

But, she reacts to the pain as if it was all over -- the way it used to be -- and then, she avoids eating for a time. So, she can eat SOMETIMES without pain but it's a crapshoot for the poor thing.

I'm gonna go read that link!

:loveya:

[merh]

45. if she has feline herpes in addition to the stomatitis

then yes she is screaming, take it from me, the flare ups are painful as all hell.

Take this article to your vets and ask them about the interferon. Both the lysine and the interferon brought the author's baby relief.

God bless you my friend for loving Friday and for caring. St. Francis is working with you, I know he is. :hug:

:loveya:

[EFerrari]

40. On my way to the healthfood store!

:toast:

[msanthrope]

32. Have a cat who has the same problem--

Her complete teeth removal was successful--

Thing is, I was told that the problem can come back, in a different part of the mouth or the eyes or ears,----it is essentially an autoimmune disorder, so if decides to attack another part of her body, there's little that can be done.

Like yours, my kitty is a rescue kitty who experienced a panoply of health problems while being shifted from shelter to shelter.

Best of luck, and remember, with this disorder, there is little you can do. It's not your fault.

[Kali]

34. I have never seen it but have to agree with AC and others.

If she is in pain and cannot eat it is probably time to let her go.

[RedCappedBandit]

35. I'm sorry I have no advice, but...

I wish you two the best of luck. :hug:

[xchrom]

37. i have no answers -- but i want to send

my very best wishes to you and for your beloved pet.

[EFerrari]

43. Thank you!

[otohara]

39. Yogurt - w/ Cream Top

my cat loves Stony Brook PLAIN - especially the top part which tastes all yummy and she could use the fat. Her mouth might also hurt from a ph imbalance from antibiotics, some probiotics from yogurt will help. This brand of cat food has a high content of liquid and is easy to eat. http://www.weruva.com/Cusine%20Menu%20Main%20Page.html

Hope she gets better soon.

PS. Smart Water has electrolytes and minerals

[EFerrari]

41. Thank you!

:hi:

[musette_sf]

44. the yogurt suggestion was great

and i don't want to hijack sfexpat's thread - sending healing vibes for her baby -

but i am always on the lookout for new cat foods since the China debacle, and i must say that Weruva does not pass my quality test.

Weruva is a subsidiary of Forman Industries. on the Forman website it states the following:

"Forman Industries is an international holding company specializing in the food industry and the Far East. Our wholly owned subsidiaries import and export a wide array of goods and services throughout the world, with a focus on the People's Republic of China." (empahsis mine)

The Weruva factory is in Thailand. Their website clearly states that they use food products sourced from all around the world. sorry, but there is NO WAY i would feed these products to my guys. i WILL NOT feed anything that is made anywhere in Asia any more.

what is the worst is finding out on the back end that a brand that i THOUGHT was high quality and made here, is just more Chinese poison. i was feeding Avoderm Breeder's Choice Select Cuts (little cans), and I trusted Avoderm as a good company. i ordered a case of one of the flavors, to find a giant "MADE IN CHINA" stamp on the box.

please, don't trust your pet's health to ANY company that tries to sneak Chinese made food by you. i no longer feed Avoderm, not even the varieties made in the US.

[otohara]

46. Thanks, I'll Be Calling or E-mailing Tomorrow

another product my cat loves (Fromma) is Made in China. I called the company and said, the only reason I can see for a USA/Canadian company to move it's manufacturing to China was for profit. She tells me, they couldn't find a US or Canadian company to make their products to their specifications. Fromma she said could be eaten by humans and they have very strict guidelines and they have their people in China inspecting all the time.

They would move it here if someone would make it and are always looking to do that. They had hundreds of calls after the food recall, even though they weren't on the lists. At least they put on their cans Made in China. I just looked at a can of Weruvaya and they don't.

[otohara]

48. Here's Another Thought - Emu Oil

I give my cat Emu Oil. She loves it because of it's mild chicken smell, it helps with hair balls, and her coat is like silk. Emu Oil has Omega 3, Omega 6 and Omega 9 essential fatty acids for overall health and the oil would help heal her poor little mouth. Some health food stores have it, but I buy it on the Internets from this guy.
http://emuoildepot.com/pets.html

Since she's a baby, I would give her small amounts through out the day (1/8 tsp) My cat licks it up from a small dish I have, or you could put it on her food. But because her mouth is the issue, I would do it by its self through out the day. Too much might give her diarrhea,

I take it too, gel-caps - my hair, skin and some other areas are much happier. I'm sold on Emu for my cat, she will forever be on it.

[bicentennial_baby]

47. We use Wellness:

http://www.oldmotherhubbard.com/

[otohara]

49. Here's Another Thought - Emu Oil

I give my cat Emu Oil once per day. She loves it because of it's mild chicken smell, it helps with hair balls, and her coat is like silk. Emu Oil has Omega 3, Omega 6 and Omega 9 essential fatty acids for overall health and the oil would help heal her poor little mouth. Some health food stores have it, but I buy it on the Internets from this guy.
http://emuoildepot.com/pets.html

Since she's a baby, I would give her small amounts through out the day (1/8 tsp) My cat licks it up from a small dish I have, or you could put it on her food. But because her mouth is the issue, I would do it by its self through out the day. Too much might give her diarrhea,

I take it too, gel-caps - my hair, skin and some other areas are much happier. I'm sold on Emu for my cat, she will forever be on it.