[Chris H]

Help please, Violet is a small 13 year old cat, she was sick on Monday several times, after the first few times just bringing up bile, vet on Tuesday who gave painkiller and antibiotic, she will not eat and is drinking very little just sitting/sleeping in her bed. She brought up more bile an hour ago. She looks fine and I stroke her but can not get her to eat, which I know is OK but she also is not drinking. She is not stressed as in the room with her sister, warm and quiet, I will take her to the vet again but wonder if anyone has any ideas?

[Brucklay]

After my old cats never seemed to have anything wrong till old age go them in their late teens/early twenties we now have Bang Bang - previously all girls - he seems to have phases of getting ill - not sure if he goes somewhere he shouldn't or eaten something that maybe ate poison but now and again he doesn't eat. My fall back is tuna and tuna brine, hopefully strong smelling enough to get the taste buds going.
Hope she picks up Chris 

[Chris H]

Thanks Brucklay, will try, the cooked chicken and steamed fish did not work but maybe something with a bit more smell

[doganjo]

Try to get fluids into her rather than tempt her to eat - mind you that isn't so easy as with a dog.  I have used a dropper to put drops of water under the tongue so they have to swallow.  Hope you get her to take something soon.  Did the vet give any reasons for her being sick?

[Chris H]

Nope to the tuna, her sister is loving all the food coming her way   she does not seem to be in pain, but it's back to the vets tomorrow.

[Chris H]

The vet said he thought it was gastric (yeah being sick might be a clue). I thought she might drink the fluid I added to the tuna but no interest other than a quick lick. Tried watered yogurt and moist fish.

[doganjo]

I would try just plain boiled water cooled, and try a dropper, unless she is likely to scratch you.

[Chris H]

Thanks Doganjo, she is an ex feral   but will try my best.

[plumseverywhere]

Try some baby food?  this sometimes helps.


also if she is not keen on tap water you could use some water collected from the rain. Sometimes they are more adverse to the chlorinated water when they are this poorly.
Maybe message mummyshaz (I'm sure she's a vet nurse?) she could have more advice from her experience at work.


Really hope that Violet is OK xx

[Mammyshaz]

Sardines in tomato sauce has something in that can attract cats ( strange I know ). Try slightly warming it so the smell is stronger than normal, and only offer a few mouthfuls worth in one go. There's nothing more off-putting than feeling off your food for somebody to offer a huge plate of the stuff.

Two days of no food or drink means she will be getting dehydrated now which can hinder an older cats kidneys so if possible another trip to the vets in the morning would be a good idea. Fingers crossed she improves soon. Hopefully whatever the cause will pass by soon 

[Chris H]

Got her to drink a little water, vets in the morning, tucked up tonight in the warm. They are a worry   thanks everyone for the tips.

[in the hills]

Sickness could of course have many different causes. Telling you about a problem we had very recently with our mog just in case it helps. She was fine all day and went outdoors late afternoon. When she came back she was being sick .... quite often but only a teaspoon of biley looking stuff each time. She had obviously been sick when out because her tummy was drawn in. Looked a bit miserable but bright and alert. She went to her feed bowl but everytime she tried to eat or drink she would only take a mouthful and vomit almost straight away. No improvement the next day so rang vet straight away ... thought she would become dehydrated. It turned out that she had a piece of grass (only about 3cm long) stuck in her soft palate area. Apparently very common in cats. Removed under anaesthetic and fine afterwards.


I suppose your vet would have known if it could possibly be this but just thought it might be worth a mention.

[Chris H]

Update on Violet; saw different vet (much better one) thinks she has picked up something to cause sickness and this has brought on acid inbalence, couple of injections and no food till tomorrow. She does look brighter, touch wood can eat tomorrow

[Mammyshaz]

That's good news  get well soon violet 

[Brucklay]

Oh great - glad she's picking up a bit - naughty little animals cats