Cat wont eat or drink following a major operation... help !!

[Steve Williams]

Hello

My 4 and a half year old cat, KT had endometriosis and therefore had an operation last Friday to remove her womb which was full of puss and growths. She didnt take this very well and was very violent at the vets after the operation, it took 4 of us to hold her down to give her an antibiotic injection. So she was pretty stressed.

Since coming home she hasnt eaten a thing, she took a little water Saturday and Sunday, but then stopped drinking too. She can hardly walk and if she were a human I would say that she has just given up on life and wants to die. She was a very human dependant cat, she would follow my wife around the house like a dog !!! now if I try and get her to walk by moving her from the corner where she curls up, she will just lay down where I leave her. Her eyes stare right through you, its as if she is in a state of depression.

We have been giving her water through a syringe, but not food, although today I will try this... we keep hoping that she will eat by herself. Its 35C here so the water situation was our priority... of course she doesnt like it but she has no strength to fight us now.... that in itself is a worry.

The Veterinarian says her appetite will come back and blames her 'character'. KT attacked the Veterinarian when she came round from the opperation and appently she really sank her teeth into him. Since then all they say is its her bad 'character'.

I dont know how to knock her out form this 'depression'... I will force fed her tonight and from now on, but surely thats a situation that cant go on for long.

Has anyone else seen this behaviour?

Steve

[Tucker'sMom]

I have never seen this type of behavior, however, your Veterinarian's comments has me a bit concerned. Has she actually been to the Veterinarian since she has been acting this way??? I had issues with a cat who constantly vomited. I had him to the Veterinarian's office multiple times and was told it was behavioral. Then my vets office was purchased by another Veterinarian and when Skeeter was in for some anal gland issues I explained it to him because he hadn't seen Skeeter before. He thought he had a thyroid problem. He told me that any kind of condition should never be "poo-pood" as behavioral unless all possible medical reasons have been ruled out. He tested, and in the end it was the thyroid. We lost about 6 years of treatment to a Veterinarian who said his constant vomiting was "behavioral". In my opinion, it's time for a trip to the Veterinarian, or another Veterinarian. Please keep us informed. I wish you luck!

[Steve Williams]

KT went back to the Veterinarian yesterday who said that she will start eating....but it will be a while and we shouldn't worry about it. She said that it’s a reaction to the anesthetic, her stomach isn’t working. I find this a bit strange. Last night I force fed her watered down baby food and got some of it in her after a struggle but this morning she didn’t put up a fight at all over the water that we gave her via syringe and some of the food got in without being spat out again.

I think I will take her to another Veterinarian (although this one is a cat specialist that was recommended to us) for a second opinion as I was reading yesterday about liver damage if cats don’t eat for a number of days….you would have thought that the Veterinarian would have mentioned that instead of saying just wait until she starts eating, everything will be OK, nothing to concern yourself about !!.

Having not eaten since last Friday I would think she is pretty weak but yesterday she put up a fight when the Veterinarian tried to inspect her stitches, she still sits in one place and doesn’t move all day. But she hasn’t been to the toilet either and when the Veterinarian took her temperature it was clear that there is stuff there waiting to come out but it just won’t. So she seems to be having trouble on all fronts !!

Bloody animals, its like having kids !!!!!!

[Tucker'sMom]

I wish you the best, please keep us informed on how she progresses. I think a second opinion would be a good idea. Trust me, the peace of mind is worth it!

[latergatorj]

That's a long time for your kitty to go without eating. Too long... Try changing the types of food you're offering her to entice her to eat, you may also want to try to get a pill to increase her appetite.

Good luck.

[Whizzy]

I hope all is well with your cat now. It's been several weeks.

I have to say I'm a little amazed by your Veterinarian's response. A cat specialist should know that you must not allow a cat to go without food longer than 2 or 3 days if you don't want to risk fatty liver disease, which can be fatal.