Accepted Answer

Dear friend,

 

I am so sorry your girl is so ill.

 

My first suspicion is an injury. Since she goes out, she may have been hit by a car, fallen, ingested a toxin or hurt by a human creep.

 

A swollen eye may indicate a head or facial injury.

 

The problem is that not eating can harm her liver.

 

Although overweight can cause diabetes and other health problems, it is very dangerous for a cat to suddenly lose weight. That is because a cats liver becomes accustomed to a certain caloric intake. If that amount is cut (for any reason) the liver will think it is starving and grab protein and fat from the cats muscles and organs. This can cause liver and organ failure, muscle wasting and lead to a weakening of the immunity and a disorder called Hepatic lipidosis:

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_hepatic_lipidosis.html

Essentially what happens is the body goes into a state of starvation, and a signal is sent out that the body must mobilize the fat stores to provide energy. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a signal about how much fat to mobilize and fat cats have a lot... so it all gets sent to the liver to be converted from fat into glucose. And the liver gets overwhelmed and shuts down. This leads to nausea and vomiting, which means the cat won't eat, and the body tries to mobilize more fat. The cycle continues and the liver gets into more trouble.

 

At this point she must get fluids and a feeding tube if she will not eat. Xrays should be done of her mouth, head and abdomen.

 

She may have swallowed non food and have a blockage.

 

Test for FELV/FIV and FIP.

 

 

Forget about dry food. Try canned, tuna, boiled chicken, fish, a/d, fancy feast,etc.

 

 

Please let me know the test results and how she is doing.

 

Best wishes and prayers for her,

 

Terri

 

Expert:	Terri Riba
Pos. Feedback:	99.9 %
Accepts:
Answered:	9/4/2009

Feline Healthcare Expert

Expert in feline health and behavior. 20 years experience with cats.