Tabs to the vet (inappetance)

By chankahyein, on Thursday, September 22nd, 2022 9:04 pm

It started yesterday evening when Tabs showed no interest in her dinner. I thought it was just a one-off thing so I left it. Normally, I would allow a cat to not eat for one meal but once it hits two meals, it’s a red alert.

Then this morning, again, she showed no interest in breakfast. I gave her all her favourite foods, but nothing worked except a little bit of Cindy’s baby food. That wasn’t good enough.

Throughout the day, she did not seem well. She isolated herself up on the stairs. Even Ginger went to visit her. I knew something was wrong. I gave her transdermal Mirtazapine for appetite and a capsule of Gentle Digest in case it’s a digestive issue. I also gave her Vetri DMG.

She has been pretty stressed lately, so maybe the stress got to her, or was it something else.

Last year, Tabs’ blood test showed a slightly elevated liver reading, but the vet said it was okay. When the liver reading was elevated the first time, the vet prescribed a herbal liver supplement, but Tabs reacted so badly to it that we had to rush her to emergency. Tabs doesn’t seem to do well on anything herbal.

So, a vet’s visit was imperative. I would also want to know if her liver reading has gone up any further.

At the back of my mind, I was also worried in case it is any sudden major illness. Heidi started by not eating and it turned out to be immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia (IMHA), and she could not be saved despite all our best efforts and the fact that we sent her to the vet’s on the very next day. Even Smurfy donated blood for her at that time. IMHA is a terrible disease; very often all it takes is 24 hours to be fatal. So forgive me when I make a big deal the moment any cat misses two meals in a row.

We got an appointment in the afternoon, so off we went.

Tabs did eat, but ever so little. That’s not like her at all. She loves her food and has good appetite. She isn’t like Cleo who goes on an anorexic diet. Tabs can eat.

The vet checked her very thoroughly and palpated her organs and also her spine. Tabs winced in pain when a certain part of her spine was palpated. So we agreed that this warranted an X-ray. And in the X-ray, we will also be able to check her digestive system.

And bloodwork would also be necessary so that was done as well. An ear-prick blood test showed her white blood cells and red blood cells were normal. Tabs temperature was 39deg and she did feel a little warm to the touch. But the vet said 39deg is still considered normal (fever is from 39.2deg onwards).

The X-ray showed a tiny spur at the end of her spine and also another one that may be growing to join up with this spur to form what is known as a “bridge”. There is also some arthritis towards her lower back. All this is due to aging. I asked if anything can be done. Actually, nothing much, but losing some weight may help. The vet said it isn’t imperative that Tabs loses weight, though, as in older cats, it’s also good to have some “reserves”. So Tabs is okay as she is. She weighs 4.77kg today. Her ideal weight is 4.1kg.

When Minnie’s boys were growing up two years ago, Tabs was so stressed that her weight went down to 4.0kg. Then, it went back up.

Then, the X-ray also showed a huge “mass” in her stomach. The vet said it is something she ingested. I asked if it’s a tumour and she said it isn’t. It is something Tabs ate. What could she have eaten?? It is possible that this “thing” that she ate is a little stuck in the stomach and not able to move along the digestive system, thereby causing the inappetence. So what we need to do is to help move things along.

Tabs’ bloodwork turned out to be good. The liver seemed to have repaired itself and the liver reading is normal now. All readings were normal, which is a relief! Tabs’ PCV is 40%, which is good. There is no indication of IMHA.

Tabs was dewormed and given a Metacam injection (anti-inflammatory). Metacam is an NSAID.

Tabs also needs a subcut of 200ml today, Lactulose 2ml twice a day, Methycobal (B-12) for the nerves, probiotics (Max Pro GI and/or Gentle Digest) and Metacam syrup for two more days. The subcut is to continue until she passes out stools. Tabs should also be on small frequent meals. If possible, no kibble snack too.

If her appetite comes back, that is a good sign. But more importantly, she must pass some stools.

So we came home and since then, Tabs has been asking for food!