2 Things...

1st, thanks for all of your great replies!  You guys are the best :)  It is nice to have so much input, suggestions, tips, and positive feedback!

2nd, my cat hasn't eaten in 3 days.  She is clearly sick.  We brought her to the vet, she is on antibiotics, but still won't eat.  I've called over there, and I'm getting the impression that they could really care less.  I'm starting to really stress.  They suggested that we leave her there so she could get IVs, but at $750 we couldn't do it :( I'm wondering if that is why they aren't being very helpful.  She looks like she is wasting away.  Do any of you have any suggestions as to what I can try?

Today I tried tuna - she drank almost all of the "water" in the can, and I'm hoping she got some flakes in there.  I read suggestions to put dollops of baby food on the paw to see if that helps.  I think the antibiotics have started to bring her fever down (106!), her eyes aren't gross anymore... but she won't eat.  Any tips would be appreciated!

Comments

[elisa]

I'd probably also suggest a second opinion if kitty hasn't gotten better soon. Hopefully the cost of a visit won't be too prohibitive, and maybe they'll have a better bedside manner. Good luck with kitty!

[megan]

ok..I have no idea if this will work or if its even medically sound-so take it for what its worth.

at pet stores, they sell kitten 'formula' that might be even better than water for your kitty since it contains all the nutrients for a kitten to grow. (i used it once to nurse an abandoned kitten back to health) you mix it just like baby formula...

I hope something works for her!

[Cass]

As long as she's getting liquids, and urinating, don't stress too much yet. You can use a syringe to give her water every few hours, that way you can measure how much she's getting. Just hold her in the football hold and squirt it down her throat. You can even use broth instead of water, but water really is the biggest thing with cats, their organs shut down so quickly with dehydration. Just hang in there, but if she's not taking water, and not urinating, take her back to the vet.
(((((hugs)))))

[Erin]

Tuna juice is good, anything to get liquids into her. Perhaps try some really finely pureed wet cat food mixed with water. Warm that up a bit in the microwave. Cats won't eat what they can't smell and something warmed up has a bit more of an odor to it.

I once had to hand feed a cat of mine because he wasn't eating anything. He didn't have the symptoms your cat has though.

Good luck, I hope this helps.