Food aversion in cat post hospitalisation

Re: Food aversion in cat post hospitalisation

Michael Woodhouse — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 01:13:47 GMT

[quote user="nikki"]Think we're going to end up putting the feeding tube back in tomorrow if still not eating.[/quote]

Diazepam first.

Re: Food aversion in cat post hospitalisation

Louise6732 — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 22:51:04 GMT

I would second the buprenorphine, a lot of the time these cats have a low grade pain. I wouldn't syringe feed as I think it might worsen the inappetance. If the cat isn't eating for a few days, tube feeding again is a strong consideration, I think we really under estimate nutrition in these cases. Louise

Re: Food aversion in cat post hospitalisation

nikki — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 22:43:40 GMT

The owners were trying to syringe feed it at home but it seemed to be becoming less interested in food the more they forced the matter. It is unremarkable on clinical exam and has normal bloods now. Abdo is soft and comfy. Cat seems bright, just wont eat. It was hospitalised for a week and has now been home for 10days but has lost weight in that time (not surprisingly). I guess I could repeat the abdo scan but it was fairly unremarkable to start with so unsure if that will shed much light. Owners aren't the most competant with it so reluctant to give them too much in the way of medication to try and give it as think it will probably stress the cat out more. Think we're going to end up putting the feeding tube back in tomorrow if still not eating.

Re: Food aversion in cat post hospitalisation

Rob Loxley — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 22:28:03 GMT

[quote user="Anthony Dennison"]Would syringe feeding not worsen the food aversion?[/quote]

It can do, but my point was more are we sure it is food aversion rather the original problem grumbling on? and we need to get nutrition in. IME syringe feeding in compliant cats can be of use.

Re: Food aversion in cat post hospitalisation

Linda Filshie — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 21:06:27 GMT

I like the FAB guide to cat friendly clinic's very simple guide to nutrition (hey, I'm a simple person!).

Try page 18-21 of http://www.fabcats.org/catfriendlypractice/cat%20friendly%2032pp.pdf

Edit: tried to make that a link but failed miserably. Sorry.

Re: Food aversion in cat post hospitalisation

Anthony Dennison — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 16:52:41 GMT

Would syringe feeding not worsen the food aversion?

Re: Food aversion in cat post hospitalisation

Rob Loxley — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 13:42:35 GMT

Some thoughts:
Can she not be syringe fed?
Have we got to the bottom of what caused the initial problem; is it still grumbling on?
Rpt oesophagostomy tube would be my go-to if she wont eat and can't be syringe fed.

Re: Food aversion in cat post hospitalisation

Michael Woodhouse — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 13:13:27 GMT

Periactin listed on HS database. We also get odd things from a human wholesaler and they show periactin in stock.

Re: Food aversion in cat post hospitalisation

Anthony Dennison — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 12:49:48 GMT

Ah, fair point. One of our vets got a box or two a while ago and hid it so it will only be used sparingly.

Re: Food aversion in cat post hospitalisation

nikki — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 11:31:15 GMT

We don't seem to be able to get periactin anymore - used to work great. We have got mirtazepine though so I could try that.

Re: Food aversion in cat post hospitalisation

Anthony Dennison — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 10:58:10 GMT

+1 for periactin. We had a cat that had split it's hard palate after an RTA and refused to eat, couldn't place an oesophagostomy tube due to cost constraints.

Cat had half a tablet and sent home with more if needed. Within the same day was eating like an absolute horse, didn't need any more meds.

Re: Food aversion in cat post hospitalisation

Allie Woodward — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 06:50:14 GMT

I agree with Michael, 0.1ml (10 mg/2 ml) diazepam per cat by iv injection. (Not through catheter/giving set), if the cat goes to sleep rather than eats the prognosis is less good in my (anecdotal) experience. Periactin, Mirtazipine and oral oxazepam can also be helpful individually in some cases.

Re: Food aversion in cat post hospitalisation

Michael Woodhouse — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 00:20:51 GMT

The diazepam IV trick is fantastic, and can often get you out of this spiral.

I know out of fashion.

Re: Food aversion in cat post hospitalisation

James Laidlaw — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 00:05:01 GMT

Pain relief/antacids/sucralfate if possibility of oesophagitis? Just thinking out loud...

Re: Food aversion in cat post hospitalisation

John Flynn — Mon, 05 Aug 2013 22:48:22 GMT

[quote user="nikki"]She hasn't had any appetite stimulants as generally they seem to be relatively contraindicated in liver problems. Should I try them anyway now[/quote]

I'd probably try 1/8th (roughly) of mirtazapine 15mg tablet flushed down with little water, followed by tempt feeding; if not eaten in an hour, I'd give another 1/8th tablet and tempt again; failing that I'd put on drip but without feeding tube for 24hrs; failing that back to feeding tube for few days hopsitalised.

0.02mg/kg buprenorphine q8hrs either SC or "intra-oral" couldn't go amiss either.