I need help with my cat

She's 16 and started throwing up every time she ate. She's always been on dry food, had her since her ears were on the side of her head. (young)
She did this once before about 10 years ago, changed her food from Meow Mix to Iams and was fine until the past few weeks.
We took her to the vet, cost us over $40 to find out she didn't have a fever. rolleyes
I have been giving her chicken, tuna, salmon and rice,(people food). Made a concoction I found (cat recipes) she didn't touch.
Anyway she eats a little, does not throw up but is not going poo either.
I don't know what else to try. :confused
A while ago I heard her howling like once when she had a bladder infection. She keep head butting me, I can't translate that. :cry

 

The only other they had to offer was exray and blood work. But even if they found something they wouldn't do anything (like surgery) because of her age.
So basically they just accept money :mad
sorry for being hateful. I've been frustrated and crying

 

Dan's her groomer now, she stopped some time back. Got all matted before we knew it. So if anyone has hairballs it's Dan :-D and he's not allowed butter, (cholesterol)

 

Thought we had it a while ago. Dan called I guess the Iams people and she suggested adding water to her dry food making it mushy. Took a while for it to soften, that's some hard stuff.
Well she dove right in, what a relief.
Dan left to run errands and she went into our bedroom and threw up worse the ever.
CRAP

 

She went a little, she's just not eating enough to produce

 

I tried togive her some butter, about half a tsp, she took a couple licks then lost interest. I put what was left in her bowl. Thank you for helping
Will let you know what happens. She drinks fine by the way. (water)

 

I agree with Tim, that vet didn't seem like they were doing a lot to actually help your cat! Different vet. Now. Ask your cat-owner friends were they go, and call and tell the new vet that you want an appointment because your regular vet really doesn't seem to care and didn't do anything to help you cat, and go from there.

There's obviously something wrong, be it blockage or hairball or both, and it doesn't help the cat if she starts eating again, if her digestive system won't process effectively enough for her to poop out what needs to come out. Almost the opposite actually. Though it's a good sign that she ate the butter and the wet food... she's hungry, and she is trying to eat. Very sick cats stop eating.

Oh, and when my cat gets digestive issues, she goes out in the backyard and eats lots of grass, and then she throws up on my bed. While that second might not be a desirable thing to have happen (eeeeewwww!!!), our vet has told us that cats often eat grass when they need to stimulate those parts of their stomach, and that's why pet stores sells those little pots with cat grass for indoor cats.

 

When she was eating her regular food she was pooing and puking. Now giving her things like chicken, tuna, salmon w/ rice, she's no longer throwing up but pooing very little.
The vet did say they could do an exray and blood work for over $100 ea. but even if they found something they wouldn't treat her because of her age. I think I'm more comfortable with that then someone doing things to her. She's never even been away from us. I think it would be traumatic, she's already grouchy but that's nothing new, she's always had an attitude.
I don't know this is really hard.

 

I am so sorry to hear about your cat. I love animals too and I hate to hear about one that's sick. However, maybe this site may help you find out what's wrong. They give a list of problems and possible causes. I know it's not much, but maybe it'll help you and your 'Buddy.' http://www.petplace.com/cat-care.aspx BTW, the part I'm talking about is near the bottom of the page.

 

Thanks Stub will have a look. Hope your feeling better.

 

Thanks Darlene, I'm feeling pretty good....it's your cat that concerns me!! I have a 16 year old Golden who had similar problems as your cat and come to find out it was his thyroid acting up and after a month of pills, he's back to normal. My vet said that thyroid problems usually occur in older animals and can be diagnosed with a simple blood test and brought under control with medication. I only brought that up because of what your 'vet(?)' said about not being able to treat an animal because of their age if something was found. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to find another vet, huh? Good luck and let us know how things turn out!!

 

I think this is what bothers me the most... whether your cat is too old to have anything done, regardless of what it is, that is your decision. Not your vet's. If your vet doesn't trust that you love your pet enough to do the right thing, it's time to find another vet.

 

I have to agree - our cat had those symptoms and that was the issue. Vet gave us something for it, but I don't recall what it was now (that was 15 years ago). I remember the vet did recommend anover the counter malt-extract hairball med the cat loved to eat - it was like a paste. We used it once a week forever after that.

Sorry to hear your pet is ill, darlene . . . I had a cat for almost 16 years, and it is hard to let go of them. I hope she gets better soon.

 

I dont know if this is exactly what you are talking about. But my family had many cats and they were long haired/short hair. And they got skin issues and also one was 15 yrs old atleast and still alive. And this cat started throwing up after each each and every time. No matter if it was a little or alot of food. Another thing is the cat sometimes wouldnt chew it all the way. But vets didnt find nothing wrong. But things we found out that worked/works was... you can go to vet store and get petroleum jelly that has a smell of cat food in it. And you stick it on the cats paws so when you apply it the cat whats to lick it off of there paw. So cats sit there and shake it off/slick it off. This then lubes up the inside cat hair balls and makes them crap. Now a thing is we tried normal petroleum jelly from the store(no cat food smell on it) and they didnt like it as much, so you may need to get the cat smell one from vet. Another thing is we also tried this cat food you get from vet and it has stuff it it to help with the hair balls and crapping. But there may be no need to concern if nothing is showing up in test. Probably just like they told us about our cat... its just an old lady being old :-D And try petroleum jelly thing.

 

Sorry to read about your cat, Darlene . Cat biscuits can be very hard and dehydrating for a cat. Just keep making them mushy and make sure she has plenty of water. Canned food can also give some cats a bad stomach, which is why mine eats mainly the biscuits. Try regular, human consumption cooked chicken, fish or ham occasionally, (several times per week). Good luck with your furry friend, Darlene.

 

I am so sorry to hear your cat is sick Darlene.
We have a similar problem with ours, she is 12 year old and keeps throwing up during the night, it's really strange because she never does it during the day.
She seems to be in good health otherwise.

 

Sorry to hear that Darlene. I can't help you. I really wish I could!:cry

 

hair balls.

one of my furry bundles of stupid gets hair balls really bad because he is crazy and licks himself bald. something about pets and owners comes to mind on both the bald and crazy part.

I just use a hairball formula and/or go get a chunk of sod to put in a big Tupperware container. He gets over it pretty quick and he is 10-12 years old now I think.

I do agree with getting a new vet though, if they can't be bothered to look any deeper than a shoulder shrug, switch. and this is coming from a guy who goes to a vet that asks such questions as "well did you name the damn thing?" and "starvation is your best friend to break feral cats" :-D

 

Thank you all for your suggestions. After being so adamant about it couldn't be fur balls, Dan just saw her licking her stomach. :-o
I'm giving her chicken, tuna w/ rice (don't know why, seems I remember my aunt mixing in rice when she cooked for her cat) she did go poo a little, I think she's not eating enough to go.
She dove into the dry food I softened in water yesterday but up it came. She keeps down the people food.
I'm not sure I want to take her back to that vet. We haven't been there except to have our little cat and the wild cat spayed. I'll see how it goes today first. I figure as long as she's eating something.

Update she pooped LOL

 

@ BM - The food she's been on for years had something in it for hair balls. When she started throwing up we switched to delicate digestive something like that but that came up as well. All Iams
It's like she wasn't chewing it, it came up immediately still in little chunks.
We tried the indoor grass plant before, she wouldn't have anything to do with it.

I'm thinking we might get more help from the pet store then the vet rolleyes

 

you have more than one cat? or maybe a stray that keeps coming up around the place?

it might be a competition thing. my three bundles of furry stupid get in weird moods where they try to eat all the cat food I put out and leave none of it for the other. this of course leads to something I call, "EXTREME VOMIT SHOWDOWN!!" where I swear toenails come flying out. unlike dogs, cats are completely crazy and have very complex personalities and insanities :-D

or maybe it's just my cats.

 

Yep, cats are strange. Although ours seem to respect each others boundaries.
I baked her chicken along with ours but no seasoning, covered.
Dan was up with her at 5 said she ate three times.
Vasilene was mentioned before, will have to get some.
I was thinking if she wasn't better today we would take her back and try to see another doctor there.
Thanks to all.

 

I figure there is an adequate sample size requirement before I say all cats are completely off their nut, but I do know for a stone cold fact, my three are crazier than an entire sanitarium that just went off it's meds.

 

OMG that's funny.
One of my daughters came to stay with us (back in the 80's) and brought two pregnant cats and a puppy we weren't aware of until we picked her up at the airport.
My youngest daughter still at home also had a cat who was pregnant.
One cat miscarried, someone stole the puppy and the other two cats delivered within days of one another. We had something like 11 kittens. What a site that was. Circus time :-D

 

Now I see why you spayed and neutered now. No more howling and wailing! Just peace and quiet. Besides, 11 kittens to get rid of? I bet your friends hated you when you walked up the pathway with an open box in your arms.:-D

 

Aw sadly we lost some. Found the head of one (we thought maybe a Tom cat) another in the pool maybe two can't remember. The girls managed to find homes for most.
Was cute for a while.

 

I can't believe how stressful this has been, I'm too old for this I guess.
She ate a whole can of chicken and cheese yesterday evening. Tried a different flavor this morning and she looked at me like "your kidding, right?" AHHH

I had some Vaseline (dry cracked heels) wanted to be clear on that, but must have thrown it out. Tried some butter she licked a little but not enough to do anything.
We're thinking of taking her back for blood work, surly they would treat her for something that didn't require surgery. We got to thinking maybe she's diabetic.

 

I'm sorry I missed this part before. Yes we have another inside cat, had her 6 years. They respect each others' boundaries. Then one outside, she's somewhat wild. Must have been abandoned, doesn't care for me but loves Dan.
Sidney the older sick one isn't very active. She claimed a day bed in Dans' den and gets up to eat is about all, oh and hide in our bed room the the lawn guy is here and uses the leaf blower.

 

Oh, Darlene, I sure do hope you find out what is wrong with your poor cat. :confused
Mine gets hairballs, and she doesn't like the hairball remedy, that is flavored with either malt or fish. Oh, no, she has to be different. Hairball remedy is nothing but Vaseline that is flavored... Mine likes it PLAIN... rolleyes I just rub some on her front paws, and she licks it off. She has to keep her paws clean.

It does help to move the hairballs on thru. If I were you, I would pick up a small jar, and give it a whirl. I have used it for YEARS... If you try it over the w/e, and she is better by Monday, that would be a good sign, and you would know she has hairballs. Just keep up the Vaseline on the front paws.

If she is not better by Monday, then take her back to the Vet. My $$ would be on hairballs, tho. JMO.... from experience with my cat.

 

She seems to be doing ok. We found a canned cat food she eats, no more throwing up, she did go poo twice. But yes we were thinking by Mon to have blood work done.
Thanks for your help, we thought for sure she was on her way out. I'm to old to go through this. Kidding, I'm sure it's nothing compared to what some of you are dealing with.
Hope your husband is ok TC and thanks again :wave

 

Good that she's doing somewhat better. Darlene, I found that 'Whiskas' canned food was the best quality, and the fish varieties appear to be the most appetizing, (at least for my cat, anyway). My feline won't eat any other type of tinned food, (spoiled thing, she is).

http://www.whiskas.co.nz/WhiskasAU/en-AU/food/default.htm

 

Thanks Phantom, not sure what it is she's eating atm, she's had dry all her life, will get some and try

 

She's doing much better (aw, hate saying that, hope I didn't jinx her)


PS, BTW, should have seen the ol gal move when I tried to put the Vaseline on her paws. She left the room

 

Glad to hear she is doing better

 

Good news that Puss is doing better Darlene.

Our puss loves 'Whiskas" but it is not the tinned variety, it comes in small daily packs that give her a change every day.

http://www.whiskas.com.au/our-products-adult-products-whiskas-adult-pouches

 

Great news! Cats are sturdy and stubborn little beasts... it's surprising what they can endure, especially with a bit of loving care from their humans.

 

That's great Darlene!:celebrate I'm glad the 'Ole Fur Ball' is doing much better. I know it scared the heck out of ya when it first happened but, like Mimsy said, they ARE pretty durable creatures and it's good to hear your 'Baby' is doing better!!

 

Oh, Darlene, LOL First, have someone hold her nice and snug! Then, slather the Vaseline on her front paws. Works like a charm! Oh, and the next time you plan to do it? Be sure to have someone hold the cat BEFORE you even grab that jar of Vaseline!!! roflmao roflmao They also have GREAT memories:-D:-D:-D Just ask my cat! Glad she is doing better Too!

PS: Hi Stubby!!!

 

Thanks, sure is a big help having you people to share with HUGS

 

What a glare...

 

roflmao good one Mims, yeah she's always had an attitude