Author Topic: unexplained aversion to food  (Read 65052 times)

Offline Dawn F

  • Purrrrrfect Cat
  • ******
  • Posts: 18579
Re: unexplained aversion to food
« Reply #110 on: February 13, 2013, 17:51:55 PM »
I really do hope all of this helps and that you get to have a proper chat it is so hard to remember everything they say at the best of times

Offline jrichemont

  • Adult Cat
  • ***
  • Posts: 127
  • Slave to: jonah
Re: unexplained aversion to food
« Reply #109 on: February 13, 2013, 17:48:26 PM »
Well... he's still with us. It was a difficult recovery but they were expecting it this time. He's now in ICU and they'll see how he likes eating tomorrow as to whether he can come home with us tomorrow evening.
They have taken nose biopsies and one from his gut (though personally I doubt that will show anything; his poo has always been a good solid lump) and rinsed out things.
I'll know more if I do collect him tomorrow as I can have a longer talk with the consultant - they call me at work and I have to content with a noisy newspaper environment while listening to someone explain technical details that are not in my field. And then remember it all!
He may need to go in a third time if the results next week warrant it. I'm not sure if they took his feeding tube out this time, though apparently our vet can do that.

:Crazy:

Offline Tigerlily (Allison)

  • Honorary Cat
  • *****
  • Posts: 4429
  • Slave to: Toby
Re: unexplained aversion to food
« Reply #108 on: February 12, 2013, 07:54:57 AM »
Stupid work PC won't let me view the photos  >:(

Hoping that the time is Jonah is away from you passes quickly Jeremy  :hug:
http://www.cat-rescue1.co.uk/

RIP Simba ~ 16/04/02
RIP Tiger ~ 25/08/02
RIP Lily ~ 03/04/10
RIP Molly ~ 04/11/16
Always in my thoughts, forever in my heart

If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I would walk right up to heaven and bring you home again.

Offline Sue P (Paddysmum)

  • Moderating Staff
  • Purrrrrfect Cat
  • *****
  • Posts: 27527
  • Paddy's Mum (Ginger Imposter) [Nov 90- April '11]
  • Slave to: Moray & Malt + my beautiful lost babies - Barley, Mac, Ross, and Tinks RIP babies.
Re: unexplained aversion to food
« Reply #107 on: February 12, 2013, 06:58:22 AM »



We know you'll be missing having Jonah at home, Jeremy, so hoping the next few days pass quickly and to the benefit of Jonah. 

The photos of Jonah are wonderfully artistic - the light plays beautifully against his coat.  :Luv:

Offline Kay and Penny

  • Auction Staff
  • Honorary Cat
  • *****
  • Posts: 5280
Re: unexplained aversion to food
« Reply #106 on: February 11, 2013, 23:37:08 PM »
that's interesting - my Tosker has sinus problems, and is perpetually gurgling and coughing and swallowing - he can, and does eat, OK but his jaw looks a little odd to me, as if the lower jaw is underdeveloped - he has had long and short courses of abs, which alleviate the symptoms a bit but as you say they come roaring back very soon after the course is finished

I shall be reading with interest what the RVC find, and what course of treatment they suggest for your lovely boy
Robert A. Heinlein:
How you behave toward cats here below determines your status in Heaven.

Offline jrichemont

  • Adult Cat
  • ***
  • Posts: 127
  • Slave to: jonah
Re: unexplained aversion to food
« Reply #105 on: February 11, 2013, 22:47:12 PM »
Glad you liked the pictures! He was sitting on the chair next to me at our big table, with strong sunlight. My wife was teasing him with a red feather on the end of a piece of string. If anyone watched the video he does get a bite of it! But the sunlight highlighted his long whiskers beautifully.

Anyway I heard from RVC; apparently he's eating and looks content. They have seen and videoed his wibbly jaw movement (where he gets excited about food but then has to spend so long rearranging his jaw that he gives up) which the ENT guy thinks may be sinus related. Nothing will be done to him until Wednesday so he has a little holiday - though I'd rather him take a holiday on my lap. We shall wait and see but I hope they actually do something to him; if they just wash out his nose the problem will be back in two weeks. He needs his tubes altered so he can breathe properly in perpetuity (a couple of years, anyway).

As ever, thanks for all your king thoughts and I will post more when I know more.

XXX J

Offline Gill (sneakiefeline)

  • Rainbow Bridge/Rescue/Moderating Staff
  • Purrrrrfect Cat
  • *****
  • Posts: 73567
  • Misa at 4yrs old and new with me
  • Slave to: Misa, Sasa, Franta Napoleon RIP, Ducha RIP and Lupin, Kocka RIP
Re: unexplained aversion to food
« Reply #104 on: February 11, 2013, 18:34:56 PM »
He is very handsome  ;D

Offline Sue P (Paddysmum)

  • Moderating Staff
  • Purrrrrfect Cat
  • *****
  • Posts: 27527
  • Paddy's Mum (Ginger Imposter) [Nov 90- April '11]
  • Slave to: Moray & Malt + my beautiful lost babies - Barley, Mac, Ross, and Tinks RIP babies.
Re: unexplained aversion to food
« Reply #103 on: February 11, 2013, 14:35:08 PM »



He's gorgeous - looks very leonine in those photographs.   :Luv:   Fingers crossed for the time being.   :hug:

Offline jrichemont

  • Adult Cat
  • ***
  • Posts: 127
  • Slave to: jonah
Re: unexplained aversion to food
« Reply #102 on: February 11, 2013, 14:25:04 PM »
Oh that's a shame, and a bit embarrassing too seeing as I am a programmer. Please try this instead:

https://plus.google.com/photos/107706559941418339534/albums/5599607745103432833?authkey=CL6i-_eh1-iY9QE

Anyway, Jonah went off to RVC at 7am today and will be inspected by an ENT specialist who will decide on a course of action. I'll know more later...


Offline Gill (sneakiefeline)

  • Rainbow Bridge/Rescue/Moderating Staff
  • Purrrrrfect Cat
  • *****
  • Posts: 73567
  • Misa at 4yrs old and new with me
  • Slave to: Misa, Sasa, Franta Napoleon RIP, Ducha RIP and Lupin, Kocka RIP
Re: unexplained aversion to food
« Reply #101 on: February 11, 2013, 13:26:40 PM »
Sorry doesnt work here JS, just brings up a sign in box.

Good luck Jonah  :hug: :hug:

Offline Tigerlily (Allison)

  • Honorary Cat
  • *****
  • Posts: 4429
  • Slave to: Toby
Re: unexplained aversion to food
« Reply #100 on: February 11, 2013, 08:14:03 AM »
Good luck today Jeremy  :hug: :hug: Sending lots of ear scratches for Jonah.
http://www.cat-rescue1.co.uk/

RIP Simba ~ 16/04/02
RIP Tiger ~ 25/08/02
RIP Lily ~ 03/04/10
RIP Molly ~ 04/11/16
Always in my thoughts, forever in my heart

If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I would walk right up to heaven and bring you home again.

Offline Sue P (Paddysmum)

  • Moderating Staff
  • Purrrrrfect Cat
  • *****
  • Posts: 27527
  • Paddy's Mum (Ginger Imposter) [Nov 90- April '11]
  • Slave to: Moray & Malt + my beautiful lost babies - Barley, Mac, Ross, and Tinks RIP babies.
Re: unexplained aversion to food
« Reply #99 on: February 11, 2013, 07:33:20 AM »



Adding more positive vibes for Jonah's visit to the RVC today and sending a gentle ear rub for his Splendidness. 

Thinking of you both.   :hug: :hug:

Offline LouiseJ

  • Auction Staff
  • Super Cat
  • *****
  • Posts: 2692
  • Slave to: Chelsea (March 1994 ~ March 2012 - Rest in peace my darling), Luna and Cleo plus Simba the Ginga
Re: unexplained aversion to food
« Reply #98 on: February 11, 2013, 06:20:34 AM »
Good luck at the RVC today  :hug:

Offline jrichemont

  • Adult Cat
  • ***
  • Posts: 127
  • Slave to: jonah
Re: unexplained aversion to food
« Reply #97 on: February 10, 2013, 23:29:35 PM »
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/107706559941418339534/albums/5599607745103432833

Hopefully that link is to an album of pictures of jonah, in better days, playing with a red feather on the end of a stick.
L

Offline jrichemont

  • Adult Cat
  • ***
  • Posts: 127
  • Slave to: jonah
Re: unexplained aversion to food
« Reply #96 on: February 10, 2013, 23:12:40 PM »
Hi everyone. This is it; the last throw of the die. Jonah is looking better than ever, he ate an entire slice of roast lamb with (mild) curry spice that we had for sunday lunch; cut up into cat size bits of course. He feels solid and sleek - how different from 7 days ago! - and interested in whatever's on my fingertips... But he still won't eat from a bowl and we must still feed him via the tube.
So tomorrow, at the crack of dawn, we take him to RVC again. Our wonderful consultant will be joined by an ent specialist to see what may be done to help him with his upper respiratory system.
I just want my beautiful, loving snidge back again.
He's now dozing in his box right next to me and I'm in the bath typing away. I can see him and vice versa.

Offline heather sullivan

  • Distinguished Cat
  • *****
  • Posts: 658
  • Slave to: Simon & Tom (Tabby, Silvie and Moses RIP)
Re: unexplained aversion to food
« Reply #95 on: February 10, 2013, 17:55:15 PM »
Hope all goes well tomorrow. At least now they know he had a problem with anaesthetic last time and will be prepared for any problems that may but hopefully wont arise :(

Offline CatGirl

  • Distinguished Cat
  • *****
  • Posts: 652
Re: unexplained aversion to food
« Reply #94 on: February 10, 2013, 14:35:40 PM »
Will be thinking of Jonah tomorrow. :Luv:

Offline Skiddaw

  • Hero Cat
  • *****
  • Posts: 1272
  • Slave to: The Munchkin and formerly to dear, departed Uncle M
Re: unexplained aversion to food
« Reply #93 on: February 10, 2013, 14:05:42 PM »
I hope so too, and I think Gill could be right. At least he's eating, albeit intermittently. It has to be a positive development.

 :Luv: :Luv:

Offline Gill (sneakiefeline)

  • Rainbow Bridge/Rescue/Moderating Staff
  • Purrrrrfect Cat
  • *****
  • Posts: 73567
  • Misa at 4yrs old and new with me
  • Slave to: Misa, Sasa, Franta Napoleon RIP, Ducha RIP and Lupin, Kocka RIP
Re: unexplained aversion to food
« Reply #92 on: February 10, 2013, 13:38:48 PM »
Could be all that food in one go just filled him up as his tummy will have shrunk while not eating and he wont be able to eat as he used to yet.

I hope everything goes well tomorrow  :hug: :hug:

Offline Sue P (Paddysmum)

  • Moderating Staff
  • Purrrrrfect Cat
  • *****
  • Posts: 27527
  • Paddy's Mum (Ginger Imposter) [Nov 90- April '11]
  • Slave to: Moray & Malt + my beautiful lost babies - Barley, Mac, Ross, and Tinks RIP babies.
Re: unexplained aversion to food
« Reply #91 on: February 10, 2013, 12:18:59 PM »
It really is a puzzle, Jeremy.  Am glad you got him tempted to eat last night, and have all fingers crossed for tomorrow.   :hug:

Offline jrichemont

  • Adult Cat
  • ***
  • Posts: 127
  • Slave to: jonah
Re: unexplained aversion to food
« Reply #90 on: February 10, 2013, 12:00:22 PM »
Hi all. I typed another update last night in the bath but it wouldn't post  :(
Anyway, last night, when I was cooking a supper of steamed chicken thighs stuffed with feta and herbs with tagliatelle (everything bar the herbs a favourite of Jonah) he came into the kitchen and said miow. This would be only the third miow since he came back from hospital and sounded quite rusty. However, I gave him a bit of chicken skin and he ate it up with no hesitation or gagging. And miowed for more! So more he got and before long he was standing on his back legs eating the bits dangled from my fingers! He ate loads which is great; lovely to see him back and lively again, albeit briefly.
I woke this morning to find him stretched next to me with his paws round my neck and his head tucked under my chin. No interest in food however; he got up when I did but just sloped off to his bathroom nest.
So it's the tube again for him. He does seem slow in the morning and perks up in the evening. A bit like me really but he's not been like it before.
Tomorrow we take him back to RVC for possible surgery to his upper respiratory tract. I hope it goes well seeing as we nearly lost him the last time he had a GA...

Offline Sue P (Paddysmum)

  • Moderating Staff
  • Purrrrrfect Cat
  • *****
  • Posts: 27527
  • Paddy's Mum (Ginger Imposter) [Nov 90- April '11]
  • Slave to: Moray & Malt + my beautiful lost babies - Barley, Mac, Ross, and Tinks RIP babies.
Re: unexplained aversion to food
« Reply #89 on: February 10, 2013, 07:37:50 AM »


Topping up the good wishes for Jonah, and hope that you're having a lovely weekend together.   :) I love that you were typing your update in the bath and he was with you  :evillaugh:

Offline Tigerlily (Allison)

  • Honorary Cat
  • *****
  • Posts: 4429
  • Slave to: Toby
Re: unexplained aversion to food
« Reply #88 on: February 09, 2013, 20:58:45 PM »
Thanks for the updates Jeremy. Keeping everything crossed for Jonah  :hug: :hug:
http://www.cat-rescue1.co.uk/

RIP Simba ~ 16/04/02
RIP Tiger ~ 25/08/02
RIP Lily ~ 03/04/10
RIP Molly ~ 04/11/16
Always in my thoughts, forever in my heart

If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I would walk right up to heaven and bring you home again.

Offline CatGirl

  • Distinguished Cat
  • *****
  • Posts: 652
Re: unexplained aversion to food
« Reply #87 on: February 09, 2013, 11:33:18 AM »
Just adding my good wishes to Jonah +you too.x

Offline jrichemont

  • Adult Cat
  • ***
  • Posts: 127
  • Slave to: jonah
Re: unexplained aversion to food
« Reply #86 on: February 09, 2013, 01:04:08 AM »
RVC are fantastic, yes. Plus he has won the hearts of the people looking after him there. Of course he has! Even critically ill he's a fantastic people cat. Even people who don't like cats (I'm talking allergies here, people) like him. Cat people love him because he's just such a character.
Anyway, he's been much better tonight, sitting on the arm of the sofa watching me eat soup - celeriac and herb, since you ask - intently. I put some on my finger  and he licked it off without hesitation so i put 2 spoonfuls in a little saucer for him and he ate it all up! Almost like having my old cat back. Fantastic!
We fed him 20ml of liquid food via the tube just for good measure. He shook himself, went downstairs for a pee and nested up in his bathroom box. Where I am now, in the bath right next to him, typing this.
We have two more days of him here then off to Potter's Bar and the RVC.
« Last Edit: February 09, 2013, 01:05:39 AM by jrichemont »

Offline Gill (sneakiefeline)

  • Rainbow Bridge/Rescue/Moderating Staff
  • Purrrrrfect Cat
  • *****
  • Posts: 73567
  • Misa at 4yrs old and new with me
  • Slave to: Misa, Sasa, Franta Napoleon RIP, Ducha RIP and Lupin, Kocka RIP
Re: unexplained aversion to food
« Reply #85 on: February 08, 2013, 22:48:31 PM »
Sending loads more good vives for Jonah  :hug: :hug:

Offline LouiseJ

  • Auction Staff
  • Super Cat
  • *****
  • Posts: 2692
  • Slave to: Chelsea (March 1994 ~ March 2012 - Rest in peace my darling), Luna and Cleo plus Simba the Ginga
Re: unexplained aversion to food
« Reply #84 on: February 08, 2013, 21:43:11 PM »
You are in excellent hands at the RVC. Here's to Jonah getting better.

Offline jrichemont

  • Adult Cat
  • ***
  • Posts: 127
  • Slave to: jonah
Re: unexplained aversion to food
« Reply #83 on: February 08, 2013, 21:02:19 PM »
Hi everyone. Jonah hasn't been too well today; he threw up the food i gave him via the tube at lunchtime (I took the day off work to look after him). But now he seems more his old self; he sought me out in the computer room and tried to jump on my lap through the arms of my chair like he always used to.
Anyway he's going back to hospital monday for one last throw of the die...

Offline Sue P (Paddysmum)

  • Moderating Staff
  • Purrrrrfect Cat
  • *****
  • Posts: 27527
  • Paddy's Mum (Ginger Imposter) [Nov 90- April '11]
  • Slave to: Moray & Malt + my beautiful lost babies - Barley, Mac, Ross, and Tinks RIP babies.
Re: unexplained aversion to food
« Reply #82 on: February 08, 2013, 17:44:59 PM »


Bless him.  It must feel so uncomfortable for him.  Topping up the vibes and hoping he can get something down later today.   :hug: :hug:

Offline Skiddaw

  • Hero Cat
  • *****
  • Posts: 1272
  • Slave to: The Munchkin and formerly to dear, departed Uncle M
Re: unexplained aversion to food
« Reply #81 on: February 08, 2013, 16:15:35 PM »
Every time I log onto Purrs I check this thread with bated breath. I will keep hoping and praying that he turns the corner. Hang on in there, Jonah...

 :Luv:

Offline jrichemont

  • Adult Cat
  • ***
  • Posts: 127
  • Slave to: jonah
Re: unexplained aversion to food
« Reply #80 on: February 08, 2013, 11:24:28 AM »
Hi everyone. Jonah is less lively today than yesterday; he did manage some chicken skin but not a lot. We just fed him via the tube and he's now sitting in the sun. When he tried to eat his nose seems to get all clogged up and he sneezes and wiggles his jaw and I think this puts him off the whole idea. Some of this is just him - he's always had issues with his upper respiratory tract - and some is probably down to the tube.
Day at a time...

Offline Sue P (Paddysmum)

  • Moderating Staff
  • Purrrrrfect Cat
  • *****
  • Posts: 27527
  • Paddy's Mum (Ginger Imposter) [Nov 90- April '11]
  • Slave to: Moray & Malt + my beautiful lost babies - Barley, Mac, Ross, and Tinks RIP babies.
Re: unexplained aversion to food
« Reply #79 on: February 08, 2013, 07:47:51 AM »



Morning Jeremy

Just popping by to ask how Jonah is, and whether you've managed to get him to take any more food?  Sending many positive vibes your way.   :hug:

Offline jrichemont

  • Adult Cat
  • ***
  • Posts: 127
  • Slave to: jonah
Re: unexplained aversion to food
« Reply #78 on: February 07, 2013, 13:01:39 PM »
Thanks, Liz and sorry to hear of your own feline troubles...

Offline Liz

  • Cat Rescue
  • Royal Cat
  • *****
  • Posts: 9134
  • Here come the boys!!!!
Re: unexplained aversion to food
« Reply #77 on: February 07, 2013, 12:23:27 PM »
I think anything with calories in it will be good, I am struggling with one of mine he has ulcers but got some stuff from the vet which is a superfood and he gets it to top up his meals he is on 2 pumps of the stuff, looks like Bovril but these 2 pumps are equivalent to 1 days food for a 5kg cat not the best way but it can be given orally  will get the name and post it for you

Also sometimes something like Liquivite warmed helps as it is a liquid foor, one of my old ferals lived on it for 9 months when she has a jaw tumour which sadly robbed us of our feisty feral gal
Liz and the Clan Cats and Dogs

Offline jrichemont

  • Adult Cat
  • ***
  • Posts: 127
  • Slave to: jonah
Re: unexplained aversion to food
« Reply #76 on: February 07, 2013, 12:16:25 PM »
He does indeed! One of the many things I love about him. He spent an hour once eating pomegranate seeds one at a time but I had to score each one with my fingernail first so he could smell the juice. He's a fan of aubergines (cooked; I think it's the meaty texture there) and cheese - everything from mature cheddar to chaource.

Long pasta (spaghetti etc) has always been a treat; he flips his head on one side and just works his way up the strand while I hold the other end. Sometimes he'll get hold of his end and yank his head to pull it away from me and eat it himself though. He likes the very small penne ones too and will (used to) eat a prodigious amount, one at a time.

Other strange likings include mango, banana, pineapple, mustard (mild, from my finger), cooked veggies like carrots, butternut squash, asparagus, peas and sweetcorn (enjoys hunting those guys down when thrown) and certain raw ones such as cucumber.

Strangely enough he only likes chicken skin, not chicken unless it's a very moist bit from the middle of the thigh.

As you can see, the world holds plenty of interesting foods that he likes; he just needs to feel up to eating them!

Offline Gill (sneakiefeline)

  • Rainbow Bridge/Rescue/Moderating Staff
  • Purrrrrfect Cat
  • *****
  • Posts: 73567
  • Misa at 4yrs old and new with me
  • Slave to: Misa, Sasa, Franta Napoleon RIP, Ducha RIP and Lupin, Kocka RIP
Re: unexplained aversion to food
« Reply #75 on: February 07, 2013, 10:57:56 AM »
Come on Jonah, you need your food mayte  :hug: :hug:

Sasa, Misa and LuuuuuuuuuuuupiN

Offline Sue P (Paddysmum)

  • Moderating Staff
  • Purrrrrfect Cat
  • *****
  • Posts: 27527
  • Paddy's Mum (Ginger Imposter) [Nov 90- April '11]
  • Slave to: Moray & Malt + my beautiful lost babies - Barley, Mac, Ross, and Tinks RIP babies.
Re: unexplained aversion to food
« Reply #74 on: February 07, 2013, 10:50:59 AM »

That's great to hear Jeremy, although fully understand your reservations  :hug:
Here's hoping that Jonah will take some more food, either through the tube or naturally later when you offer it to him, and make good the lost ground.  He's a real trooper, bless him.   

He has quite eclectic taste, doesnt he?  Tagliatelli and chicken skin  ;D 

Offline SamMewl

  • Cat Rescue
  • Senior Cat
  • *****
  • Posts: 386
    • Yorkshire Cat Rescue
  • Slave to: gizmo, gingurr, nemo, mittens and brujo. always with me, leroy w murgatroyd
Re: unexplained aversion to food
« Reply #73 on: February 07, 2013, 10:49:36 AM »
great news. excellent. hope the eating (both styles!) continues.

Exactly so! Keeping a companion animal always involves loss (unless you have the long lived sorts such as tortoises and parrots) but... you gain so much more from the relationship than you lose.
I just wish we were discussing this in abstract. Knowing what's right and applying it at the sharp end of events are two different things.
so so true  :hug:
:) Please text CATS22 £5 to 70070 to feed a cat for a week :)

Offline jrichemont

  • Adult Cat
  • ***
  • Posts: 127
  • Slave to: jonah
Re: unexplained aversion to food
« Reply #72 on: February 07, 2013, 10:43:56 AM »
Hi all; news from the front:

We fed Jonah a bigish meal via the tube last night and he spent the night in the bathroom, joining me under the duvet around 7:30am. He was reluctant to get up for breakfast but after I scooped him up and brought him upstairs (we live in a flat with the bedrooms downstairs) he marched into the kitchen where my wife was making a packed lunch for me. He then ate the skin skin from two chicken drumsticks with enthusiasm and without much gagging! Yesterday I struggled to feed him a single tiny strip. Chicken skin is normally a treat for him in the morning before he gets a proper breakfast.

It's great to see him bounce back a little although we still have a refusal with warmed sardines and tomato sauce sadly.

Unfortunately he's feeling better enough to be feisty and he refused to sit on my lap to get a decent feed through the tube to top up the skins. I don't blame him in the slightest but... the only reason he's improved is because of what he gets through that thing and it won't take long for him to relapse if he stops cooperating. We will try later on today.

It does give me hope though that his interest in real food and eating in the conventional way does seem to be returning. He even ate some tagliatelle last night; another favourite treat normally. It's great but it's not enough food for him on its own yet.

Offline Gill (sneakiefeline)

  • Rainbow Bridge/Rescue/Moderating Staff
  • Purrrrrfect Cat
  • *****
  • Posts: 73567
  • Misa at 4yrs old and new with me
  • Slave to: Misa, Sasa, Franta Napoleon RIP, Ducha RIP and Lupin, Kocka RIP
Re: unexplained aversion to food
« Reply #71 on: February 07, 2013, 10:41:24 AM »
Sending loads of these for you and Jonah  :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

 


Link to CatChat