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I have an elderly female cat who is lethargic and not eating or drinking normally. I was gone on vacation for 10 days while my husband was home with her, and he noticed her decreased appetite about a week ago. I can get her to drink water, but only very small amounts of food. She also has a discharge coming from her right eye that she never has had before. We have had record breaking heat this last week, but even witht he cooler weather she is still not responding normally. What can I do to help her hrough the weekend until I can see my vet on Monday?

Submitted: 112 days and 11 hours ago.

Category: Cat

Value: $21

Status: CLOSED

Pet's Sex: Female
Pet's Age: >12

Already Tried:
I have been offering liquids and small portions of food. She ate a small bit (3 or 4 bites) of shrimp yesterday, and today had another 3 or 4 bites of some can food. I broke up some of the moist dry food type and she had a few nibbles of that last night. She used the box yesterday, but I haven't seen her use it today. Yesterday she went up and down the basement steps (8 of them) to get to the cat box. Today (it's early) she hasn't been up out of the basement. It will be hot again today and the basement is the coolest place in the house.

Posted by Dr. Brian 112 days and 11 hours ago.

Info Request

Hi, Is there any vomiting or diarrhea?What do you offer to eat?

112 days and 11 hours ago.

Reply

No vomiting and no moving of her bowels for several days. She likes variety, so bought her some fresh fish and assortment of canned food that she has enjoyed in the past. I did give her some raw fish (cod) about 4 days before this all started.

Posted by Dr. Brian 112 days and 11 hours ago.

Answer

I would continue to offer the most tasty foods such as fish, or meat baby foods in the chicken, beef or turkey flavors. Shrimp or clams can also be foods that sick cats will eat when nothing else works. Certainly the key until tomorrow is to encourage intake of fluids, beyond water you can offer milk, or flavor the water with tuna or shrimp juice.

112 days and 11 hours ago.

Reply

Can you tell me what the discharge from her eyes is about? both eyes are now full of this white mucus looking gunk..I have been using a cool cloth and gently removing it..

Posted by Dr. Brian 112 days and 11 hours ago.

Answer

The white mucus is normal but more of it due to the eyes becoming a little more sunken and collecting more debris, plus she probably is grooming less.

112 days and 11 hours ago.

Reply

Don't want to pester you, but just thought of another question...is it okay to give her grass? She really likes it, and I offered 3 or so blades yesterday which she ate, so I'm figuring it is okay, but want to make sure. She is 18 years + 4 months old and always has been in good health, so this is very upsetting. I lost her sister 2 years ago due to an URI and don't want to make any mistakes with her.

Accepted Answer

A little grass is fine, like salad. However, were she to have vomiting or diarrhea then grass is very irritating to an upset digestive tract and should be avoided.

Accepts:
Expert:	Dr. Brian
Pos. Feedback:	100.0 %
Answered:	8/2/2009

Cat Veterinarian

30 years in private practice, 2008 WA State Vet of the Year

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Info Request

<p>Hi,</p><p> </p><p>Is there any vomiting or diarrhea?</p><p>What do you offer to eat?</p>

Reply

No vomiting and no moving of her bowels for several days. She likes variety, so bought her some fresh fish and assortment of canned food that she has enjoyed in the past. I did give her some raw fish (cod) about 4 days before this all started.

Answer

Reply

Can you tell me what the discharge from her eyes is about? both eyes are now full of this white mucus looking gunk..I have been using a cool cloth and gently removing it..

Answer

The white mucus is normal but more of it due to the eyes becoming a little more sunken and collecting more debris, plus she probably is grooming less.

Reply

Accepted Answer

A little grass is fine, like salad. However, were she to have vomiting or diarrhea then grass is very irritating to an upset digestive tract and should be avoided.

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Optional Information

Info Request

<p>Hi,</p><p> </p><p>Is there any vomiting or diarrhea?</p><p>What do you offer to eat?</p>

Reply

No vomiting and no moving of her bowels for several days. She likes variety, so bought her some fresh fish and assortment of canned food that she has enjoyed in the past. I did give her some raw fish (cod) about 4 days before this all started.

Answer

Reply

Can you tell me what the discharge from her eyes is about? both eyes are now full of this white mucus looking gunk..I have been using a cool cloth and gently removing it..

Answer

The white mucus is normal but more of it due to the eyes becoming a little more sunken and collecting more debris, plus she probably is grooming less.

Reply

Accepted Answer

A little grass is fine, like salad. However, were she to have vomiting or diarrhea then grass is very irritating to an upset digestive tract and should be avoided.

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