Need your help with an ill cat.

[madinmaryland]

He is a MaineCoon and is almost 16 years old. Over the last week he has stopped eating though he is still drinking a little water, and since the summer he has dropped from about 22-23lbs to 11.5 lbs.

We took him to the vet earlier this week and he was diagnosed with an absessed tooth. He was given a pain killer and antibiotics, but is showing no improvement. We will probably end up at the vets again in a few days.

If anyone has any suggestions or comments, let me know.

Thanks.

[Shoeempress]

1. Try a meat baby food, but it can't have Onions or onion powder in

it because it destroys cats red blood cells. Warm it slightly in the microwave.

[Liberal Veteran]

2. Have his bloodwork run to check for kidney issues...

...at his age, they are common.

[madinmaryland]

5. We are concerned that it may be

kidney issues, because this last summer he began drinking a lot more water and peeing (in the litter box) a lot more. That will probably be our next step.

[kilaana]

14. Kidneys

These are classic symptoms of kidney problems, which are very common in older cats. (Although I imagine it could be a zillion other things, too).

[knowbody0]

3. lost our 17 year old cat this summer

in my arms she died, her eyes turned opal and then closed.

[madinmaryland]

7. We lost our other cat last summer

to lung disease. She was a beautiful loving and blind Russian Blue nicknamed "Prairie Dog"

[AllyCat]

4. What kind of pain killer?

If it is a narcotic, that will make him not want to eat. You may need to try some subcutaneous fluids. Ask your vet to show you how to do it. Once you get over the needle thing, it's very helpful for the cat. He needs to be hydrated.

If he's not still on the pills, then there may be something else wrong. Vet call is in order here.

Is he using the litter box?

[madinmaryland]

9. I'm not sure what the pain killer is

(I'm at work). He is still using the litter box.

[happyiowan]

6. A few suggestions

Did you have a blood panel run when you took him to the vet? If not, take him back a request a blood panel. Two things to look for with his age and weight loss are hyperthyroidism and kidney disease. Kidney disease should show up quite easily on the blood panel. If he has been quite active and "kittenish" during recent months, I would have him checked for hyperthyroidism. T-4 will show up on his blood panel, but checking free T-4 is much more accurate. A few symptoms to look for to help determine what may be going on, extreme thirst and copious urination are often signs of kidney disease and diabetes, hyperactivity and gorging often signal hyperthyroidism. Try to recall his behavior over recent months and share it with your vet.

[madinmaryland]

11. He's never been hyperactive.

The last few days he has been very lethargic. Not sure if it is the medication.

[commander bunnypants]

8. good luck

my story about sebastian cattbutt is not good . He was a coon also, lost him last 11 months ago. Do the hydration thing it is very easy. I did it in his last days.

:cry:

CB

[Kay Autic]

10. Pateince my padawan

He has an infection and probably a raging one. Cat's won't eat what they can't smell, so the infection is prolly in his sinues. Just give a few days for the meds to kick in and clear the infection.

Watch him over the weekend, and he should start to perk up on Monday. Make sure he's hydrated. Use a syringe with some water if possible.

Hint: try tuna or salmon for extra rich nutrients. Cats are strict carnivores, so no need for anything but meat.

Good luck

[madinmaryland]

12. He only eats tuna.

We knew something was wrong, when he lost interest in Tuna

We will try hydrating him with water. We'll try with the medicine shooter.

[HFishbine]

13. I don't mean to alarm you

But the symptoms you describe are among those for kidney failure. Is your cat urinating? Did this possibility come up with your vet?

[madinmaryland]

15. My wife took him to the vet,

but kidney failure/problems did come up. The vet was most concerned with the infection and wanted to get that cleared up. He also wants to do tests to determine if there are kidney problems. We think that may have to do with the weight loss. He still urinating.

[HFishbine]

16. Well

If he's still urinating, that's a good sign. I hope he gets better.