Sketch’s vet told me that his lungs are clear, he’s bright and active, and he’s looking strong . . . but his kidney levels are still elevated from the lasix, and he isn’t eating.
It really worries me that he’s not eating, but I hope it’s just because he’s tired of being in the hospital, and he wants to come home and sleep on my his bed.
They told me that I should come down and visit him, because maybe he’ll eat for me. Sketch has always been a stubborn cat, but he’s extremely affectionate, and I’m hoping that when I get down there and give him some love, and tell him how excited we all are for him to come home, he’ll perk up and chow down.
I’m scared. I don’t like it that he’s not eating.
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wwooo first to post a comment 😉
i’m sure once you love on him, he’ll eat
our cat is the same way. he’s never been away from us for long, so i don’t know how he would react being away from us for over a day.
i try to at least scratch his head on the way out. and when i have time and not wearing anything i care to get hairy, I will pick him up and hold him and be rewarded with loud purring which is theuroputic to us humans.
Hang in there, Wil. Sketch’s decreased appetite is probably a result of being in a foreign environment and not his home. And I mean c’mon…. hospital food is AWFUL!! He’s just holding out for a nice, home-cooked meal with his loved ones.
–T
Lots of people have sugested that I post a photo of Sketch. I wish I could. I discovered over the weekend that I don’t have many pictures of him, and the few that have are older, non-digital ones.
I’ll take the camera to the vet today, and if he’s looking better, I’ll snap a few and post them.
Thanks for keeping us in your thoughts, everyone.
Roll Sketch a jib. There’s a reason they give it to cancer and AIDS patients: It increases appetitie!
All kidding aside, more Mojo for Mr. Kitty is on the way. Since I’m stuck home sick myself, I might as well spend the day channeling vibes to Sketch. I’d call that a productive sick day!
Get well soon Sketch!
Your presence will probably make a huge difference to him.
hang on wil…be ready for anything…believe that the best will happen.
Wishing all the best, had cats all my life and I know how difficult they can be at times. Be there for him, show him some love, and hope he’s just being stubborn about being away from home and family. Sending my MOJO to you both to get through this as soon as possible.
-Alex H
Hang in there.
We’re all giving out our positive kitty vibes.
Your vet knows what to do and will do all that’s possible. So, sit back and try not to worry.
yeah.
right.
Poor Sketch! If nothing else works, get a couple different flavors of baby food (the stuff with nothing added) and try to spoon-feed it to him. Try them one at a time, starting with either lamb or chicken. Warming it in the microwave can help.
I’ve got a cat that’s had asthma for the last 7 years, so I’m familiar with the fear for the non-eating cat, as Meesi does the same thing when she’s having a bad time of it. I hope he eats for you and I’m sending as much good thoughts out your way as I can!
Give ol’ Sketch a chance–he’s been through a rough patch. I bet he’ll get back in the swing and be okay once he sees you and then gets back home. Best wishes to you all.
Wil,
I have no doubt that your presence will make all the difference. My little Squeaker was completely malnourished when I found her (curled up under my hood to keep warm after a terrifyingly long car ride, no doubt), and is slowly regaining her Super Kitten Powers, hour by hour even. Hell, I even run over to the house for lunch and play with her to see her progress.
I’ve noticed the she wont eat the bulk of what I feed her in the morning, until i get there in the afternoon. Same thing in the evenings. Also, I have a suction-cup mouse on an elastic string thingy set up, and she only goes to town on it when I’m sitting there (It takes her about 5 minutes to get the suction cup off so i have to reset it for her, yet oddly enough it remains completely attached all day, until I return!?).
All this leads me to believe that our presence does make a huge difference. It’s almost like they arent completely comfortable without us, or they really want to show off with their fake-mouse-batting prowess. I admit, I act thoroughly impressed each and every time… 🙂
Sketch and Co. remain in my thoughts and prayers.
~~(__)8>
Wil,
It’s very common for animals to stop eating when they are away from their normal surroundings, or when their homemates (us) are gone for any length of time.
We’ve had creatures of many varieties that have lived many long years with CHF (gods, cats, and humans), in our home. I’m sure once Sketch’s system gets used to the Lasix and to having to pass water practically every minute of the day (j/k), you’ll see him do much better. It must be very traumatic for him to be in this situation, as well as for you and your family.
Keep your head up and he will, too!
Ocean
Don’t worry too bad about the not eating. My cat was in the emergency vet for a full week once and he didn’t eat anything the entire time he was there. They even offered him a full can of tuna (his very favorite thing in the world) and he wouldn’t even go near it. The vet told me that some animals just won’t eat when they’re in the hospital.
Wil,
Take some of his own food to him, they usually eat when they smell the food they are used to coming from their companions. He needs his daddy to bring him some yummie food. Still sending lots of mojo your way.
Tim in Nor Cal
(and Ping, Copper, Mr. Bojangles & Domino)
Wil,
I know that you are scared, but from what I know about animals being a life long pet owner, they do not eat when they are still feeling sick. If you go and visit, which you, Anne, and even the kids should, he may start to perk up. He needs to see some familiar faces. He just went through alot so it may take a few more days, he was VERY sick just a few days ago. He may just need a bit more time. 🙂
Hang in there Wil, you and your family (two and four legged variety)are still in my thoughts. If you even need an ear, I am here! 🙂
Wil….
Go ahead and visit Sketch. Most animals are terrified when they have to stay with a vet. Sometimes just the sight of his human will encourage Sketch to chow down. I like the idea of taking some of his own food to him, too. The vet doesn’t necessarily provide the food he’s used to. Jean-Luc is a very picky kitty, and let’s me know how displeased he is if I try to substitute anything but his favorite food.
Lots more kitty mojo coming his way.
Wendy
[email protected]
I’ve come to enjoy reading your journal since you were my first official ‘crush’ (from the beginnings of my geek days during TNG). Reading about your recent problems, however, prompted me to actually come out of lurking and leave a comment.
I unfortunately understand what you are going through. My cat, Cupcake, turned 18 and stopped eating. She dropped a lot of weight and it was obvious something was wrong. We brought her to the vet and at first, it was suspected kidney failure or possible cancer.
The days between the first visit and getting the results of her blood tests were horrible. I kept crying when I thought about the fact that she might be dying. I told my parents that I wanted her put to sleep at home if it came down to it since she hated the vet so much.
Anyway, after a week or so of planning for the worst, the test results came back in and it turns out she had diabetes. It was a bit rough for the first few weeks but once she got used to the pills, she started gaining weight again. In six months, she was back to normal.
That was two years ago and she’s still wandering around my parents’ house, screaming at them at the top of her lungs when her food dish is empty.
So I hope it works similiarly for Sketch. Sounds like things are going okay so I hope he takes the food from you. I look forward to hearing the next set of news.
My cat Gray had heart problems. When he was one, he was diagnosed with a heart murmur. When he was two, they did an ultrasound on his heart and told us it didn’t look good. They didn’t expect him to last longer than a month. He lasted a year after that. Poor little guy.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Sketch pulls through this. When pets get sick it’s so sad, because you feel so helpless. I agree with the others who suggested bringing in food from home for him. If he has a favorite toy or blankie you might want to bring that too – make him feel more comfortable.
His vet sounds very competent so I’m hoping for the best for him. Sending lots of ~~~healthy kitty mojo~~~.
We used to have two cats before our allergies got so bad we had no choice but to find new homes for them.
I’m so sorry that you’re going through this with your cat. My cats were like furry little children to me, so I know how you feel. Hopefully Sketch will turn the corner. But if it’s his time to go, take comfort in knowing that you provided him with a loving home and did everything you possibly could to help him.
Good luck with Sketch! I know how you feel, all of these medical procedures are hard enough when you can explain to someone what’s happening. I lost my friend Nick recently, he put up a great fight. If he had stopped eating the vet suggested a PEG tube (its used in people too), cats will stop eating for a variety of reasons, but with love and effort they’ll usually recover. I really hope Sketch gets better.
When I was younger we had a cat who got quite sick one winter, and she refused to eat. My mom nursed her back to health by patiently, persistently holding her tight in her arms and forcing warmed chicken broth into her mouth with a plastic syringe. Eventually Gracia got better and started eating on her own. I guess she just didn’t feel like eating before, but after she got some more nourishment into her she felt better? Maybe that’ll be the way it is with Sketch.
Warm sunshine thoughts and best wishes to you, Sketch and the rest of your family.
Wil,
I understand how you’re feeling. I have a dog who’ll be 11 in March. I’ve had her since she was about 3 months old. A couple of weeks ago, she started having seizures. After spending a few hours in the emergency vet office, we found out that she had a tumor. Because she is so old, they don’t want to operate on her, so they gave us some medicine to control the seizures. The vet also assured us that many dogs have this problem and go on to live several more years. The thought of my dog dying makes me incredibly sad. My prayers are with you, your family, and your cat.
Very best wishes to Sketch and to you. I hope he will eat something when you visit him. But I think he will.
Cats are notoriously picky about things they like the comforts of home and the people they love (but about a zillion folks have already told you that) Truth be told, most of us don’t like eating after we’ve been through such a trauma, takes a while to start feeling healthy enough to want to expend the energy to eat. Don’t rush the healing process “you rush a miracle, you get bad miracles” (or something like that). My family’s hearts, minds and mojo’s are still going out to you. It will be alright, Sketch will recover. Lumpkin just came over to say she agrees.
Hugs to you all,
Ellen, Tasha, Carly, and Taffy (the dogs) and Tsally and Lumpkin (the cats)
my kitty merlin became terribly ill about 5 years ago. one vet couldn’t figure it out, and i had to steal him from there and take him to another.
he’d stopped eating due to a cold. apparently when cats are sick and can’t smell, they don’t eat. if they can’t smell the food, they think they are not hungry, even if they are.
he got an ultrasound, and it was due to some sort of liver and kidney problems, and they really thought they were sending him home with me “to make him comfortable” before he died.
i had to force feed him special wet food in a syringe without the needle, and give him a saline drip to keep him hydrated, as well as medication. he’s still here, five years later. the vet is convinced it was the love my boyfriend and myself gave him and i cry sometimes thinking of him not with me.
he just turned 12 this past april.
best of luck to you and yours.
Hello, random stranger here. *waves*
Like others have said, it’s probably that 1) he’s likely feeling pretty crummy right now 2) he’s not in his comfort zone (home, family) 3) wouldn’t be surprised if he’s depressed because of it all.
I’m sure he’ll perk right back up when he gets home, but you might want to see if the vet will give you some vitamin paste to keep him going/entice him to eat if he doesn’t start eating soon. It’s got enough stuff packed in it to keep him alive just eating the paste alone, and most animals will snarf it right up (full of stinky fish oils).
Sending good thoughts Sketch’s way.
Wil,
More Buster fat cat mojo coming your way! Buster lived through a house fire; my parent’s house burned down in Michigan in March of 2002, when it was 17 degrees. From 3:30 when the fire started there was over 86,000 gallons of nearly ice-cold water pouring down on him in his cage in the basement (my Mom hates cats and I was at work). At about 10 pm they pulled him out of the house, which was burned to the ground; and his temp was about 90 degrees, very close to death. He’s bounced back from that so mojo from him isn’t a small thing. Give Sketch some love from us. We’re thinking of him!
Jen & Buster 😉
I don’t know if this idea has any validity, or not. When you visit Sketch, try taking a dirty bath towel or maybe a shirt or pillow case with you. I don’t know if it would help, or not, but it might make Sketch a little more at ease during your visit if you bring something that has your scent on it when you visit him.
We had to put our cat, Cleo, to sleep. (Long story I don’t care to type, again, but here’s some links: 1 and 2.) If at all possible, I wanted her to go out purring, surrounded by scents from home, as well as the love of her “pet humans”. She was at least purring in the waiting room, which is not very common for her. When the doctor was preparing the injection, the idea obviously wasn’t up to the task.
Hopefully it will work better for Sketch.
I don’t know if this idea has any validity, or not. When you visit Sketch, try taking a dirty bath towel or maybe a shirt or pillow case with you. I don’t know if it would help, or not, but it might make Sketch a little more at ease during your visit if you bring something that has your scent on it when you visit him.
We had to put our cat, Cleo, to sleep. (Long story I don’t care to type, again, but here’s some links: 1 and 2.) If at all possible, I wanted her to go out purring, surrounded by scents from home, as well as the love of her “pet humans”. She was at least purring in the waiting room, which is not very common for her. When the doctor was preparing the injection, the idea obviously wasn’t up to the task.
Hopefully it will work better for Sketch.
Wil,
Been a while since I posted, but I read this entry and had to write.
How long since your cat stopped eating? Is that why it’s at the vet?
See, there’s something called Fatty Liver Disease which can occur in overweight or older cats. It usually happens when they experience some form of emotional trauma (a move, a new pet, a anew baby, etc.)
I had a cat that came down with this twice.
The first time I was able to nurse her back to health (it took about 2 months of feeding her by hand, giving her water and medicine by hand).
When it happened the second time, we tried the same course of treatment, but she didn’t get better, and two months later she died.
Now, I mention this NOT to scare you but to educate.
See, the hand feeding method–as I found out later–is good for about a 30% recovery.
There’s another, newer option though, where they temporarily put a shunt in the cats neck and you feed them through that, even when the cat is asleep. This offers about an 80% chance of full recovery.
I don’t know all the details here, but you might wanna ask your vet about Fatty Liver Disease. It’s quite serious, and it’s main noticable symptom is lack of appetite.
Best of luck to you and the kitty.
*sending lots of Kitty Mojo to Sketch
I bet once you get there he will start eating.
Like others have said the reason he is not eating is probably because he is in a different environment, so once he sees someone he knows he will start eatin’ away.
Hang in there Wil!!!!! I know what it is like to sit back and watch something hurt and you feel like you can not do anything. Fortunately that is only what we think. The greatest form of medicine is touch and love. If you make him feel loved and feel good feelings he will come around for you. He knows what it is he wants to live for. Just love the hell out of him. =)
I think if you go down there and spend a couple hours with him, he will feel more comfortable and prolly eat something…
Cheers,
Keith (Xgaming) Dick..
Wil,
Sassy and I send lots of kitty and human mojo! Good luck!
Wil,
It is common for a cat to lose appetite/go on a hunger strike when he/she is experiencing discomfitting emotions.
I don’t know if you have visited Sketch at all, but now that Sketch is feeling better and is no longer distracted by fear and physical discomfort Sketch is likely feeling slightly abandoned. Not eating could simply be a way to demonstrate unwillingness to accept current circumstances. (You did mention that Sketch is stubborn.) A snuggle visit will likely do Sketch good but don’t be surprised if Sketch exhibits some symptons of depression immediately following your departure.
Nothing to worry about. Cats cycle through emotions rather quickly – especially once they are back into their established routine(s).
Kevin.
Much continuing human and kitty mojo. I haven’t posted because I don’t have a cat story to tell, but I’ve had quite a few small animals and it’s hard when they get sick like this. I used to weep for my hamsters as a child so I can only imagine what it must be like for this to happen to a pet that’s been with you so long and is a family member more than an animal. Stay strong. You know we’re all pulling for y’all and Sketch.
{{{{{{{kitty vibes}}}}}}}}
cheers.
If you haven’t already, take his favorite food, and also take a little bit of the Kitty Hooch. It increases saliva production, which will help kickstart his appetite. Yes, it really does work the same way in cats that certain recreational substances work in humans. 🙂
I know it probably wont stop ya, but you shouldn’t worry too much bout him not eating. My dog and cat wont eat food for a good few days even if they just had a small flu. dont worry he’ll eat when hes ready, think of it being his way of clearing out all the stuff in his system. He’ll be fine bud. worst is over.
Hey Wil,
Both you and Sketch might feel better if you or Anne can visit him at least once a day. Also, find an old sweatshirt or t-shirt that you don’t mind the vet possibly losing, wear it for a day or a night so it smells like “you,” and leave it for Sketch to sleep in/with at the vet’s. -You don’t have to do marathon workout in it 😉 Just something that smells like you instead of “Bounce.”
I’m keeping you all in my thoughts. Hang in there.
-Melissa
Charlie and I are still sending lots of kitty mojo.
I bet with you being there Sketch will probably sigh a relief and eat. If he’s a stubborn as you say. I know my Charlie wouldn’t want to eat if he wasn’t in his own house and bitch me out if his dish is empty. He does that every morning and at night. Poor Sketch just wants to go home and try to rule the house..LOL
Cheer up Wil, everything will work out ok and Sketchs will be happy to be home soon.
Morgan and Charlie_The_Cat
Wil: More mojo for Sketch from Puerto Rico.
Do you like to eat hospital food when you have strange people around you, in a bed that’s not your own, in a strange place? I think he’s actions are quite reasonable under the circumstances. Once he sees you he’ll perk up and chow down. If you haven’t seen him since he went into the hospital, he might be having some abandonment issues (that would put me in a hunger strike too).
Hope everything turns out OK.
I hope Sketch starts eating again. I know it’s always very difficult watching a pet get sick. I hope this *Kitty be well mojo* will do good.
Our cat did the same thing when she was first sick–she went 8 days with no food. If he won’t eat for you, ask the vet about 2 things. First, an appetite stimulant. One or two doses and he’ll probably be eating.
2–Nutrapaste. If he absolutely refuses to eat, you can swab a little bit of this in his mouth. It’s a high calorie paste that can get him through until he starts to eat on his own.
Dusty had the same problem with the lasix, too. It’s good that they’re keeping an eye on Sketch’s kidney functions…it’s a wonderful drug, but those kitty kidneys seem to be sensitive.
Thank you for posting about Sketch – over the past day and a half, I have been going through the same sort of thing with my hamster, Tonksmonster (who is a fellow blogger, sort of) – the terror of not knowing what’s wrong, the trip to the vet and the cautiously optimistic diagnosis – while we were at the vet’s today I kept thinking about Sketch, and hoping that they would be as hopeful with Tonks as they were with him. Hope that both of them start eating soon. I really wanted to thank you, for writing this, letting me know I wasn’t alone.
Hang in there… We wen’t through this with our part Maine Coon (part probably Siamese) — “The Ween” had the same problems and congenitally only had one kidney showed up in the ultrasound. The vet said it was huge and took over the work of the pair.Balancing lasix and the kidney function’s tricky…
The vet basically didn’t hold out that he’d live past that night when I brought him in. He was 15.
He made 20 before the end. There were some medicine adjustments at the start but the quality of life he had was pretty good until the last couple of months.
We had the vet surprised he outlasted his refils on the medications again and again. We refilled the Rx’s at the local CVS drugstore at the vet’s recommendation (lower price) and we cut the pills down in quarters to get the low dose. He did have some stomach upset on the lasix and we found out that 1/4 of a Pepcid (iirc) antiacid worked for that. (The vet was very good. Check this out with yours.)
He had a pretty good run — 20 years of a pretty good existance even with his medical problems.
http://www.monmouth.com/~pechter/ween.html
His partner in crime Speedbump made 15 before a stroke did him in.
http://www.monmouth.com/~pechter/lump.html
Both were shelter rescues… If anyone out there feels the need — drop some cash or food to the local Humane Society or ASPCA when you see the web pages.
I’ll have the current cat in residence Foozball
put out some of that cat psychic get well stuff that they can do.
Hang in there Sketch old cat. There’s others out there rooting for you and praying.
decgeek
Hey Wil,
My kitty Milo didn’t eat either when he was in the oxygen tank and even the day after when he had to stay at the hospital for all the cardiac testing. As soon as he came home, he ate like a pig.
His appetite was somewhat decreased after he was diagnosed with HCM, and he was less active than before, but he loved having treats in bed and he preferred a little pouch of wet food every day over dry food.
I think he was saving up his energy for all the purring and snuggling he did once he came home.
Hope this gives you a little hope for Sketch…
Still sending the Wheatons lots of positive thoughts!
As I’m sure you know, going without food is not as big a deal as going without water. He’s stronger than you know, sweetie.
We’re still thinking about y’all and sending lots of love and healing MOJO.
Hey Will,
I’m very glad Sketch is doing better! I have been meaning to tell you that since I heard about him, but I had a little trouble with sighning in. I have kept him in my thoughts. This is my first time to post a comment here so I will tell you that you are one of my favorite actors, and your website is the best!! Again I am so glad Sketch is better!! I will still keep him in prayer. The best to you and your family!!
Poor Sketch he must be so tired of being poked and
prodded. All he needs is some family luv’n and
I’m sure he will eat.
My healing thoughts are on the way.
Not eating is pretty serious for a cat. Sometimes they stop eating for some unknown reason, but the not eating makes it hard for them to start again, for some reason. I have had that problem with 2 of my cats. One died of a kidney problem. We couldn’t get her to eat. But because of that, when another one of my cats stopped eating recently, we took it very seriously, and took more invasive measures. She ended up with a feeding tube, and we had to squirt liquidy food into a tube in her neck. The nourishment kept her going and made her stronger, and eventually she pulled the tube out herself, and started eating again. I watch her closely, and only feed her the kind of food she really likes, but she has been normal again for quite a while.
So all this is to say that even if Sketch won’t eat when you are around, don’t give up hope. But he will probably eat for you. Give him lots of love and really stinky food. Try the wet kind in a pouch. It is like kitty junk food, but very stinky, and most cats love it. Try microwaving it if he still won’t eat. That really brings out the smell.
Good luck to Sketch. And to you.