Yesterday we took Ginge to the vet (he has regular checkups for his heart anyway, but more recently they think he’s anaemic and has pancreatitis). It wasn’t good news.
As he’s so tiny and weak and we don’t actually know his real age, they don’t want to do more tests on him, which is fair enough (I also think that part of it may be because he was Not Well Behaved last time).
He’s been on two lots of antibiotics recently, and although the vet says there’s no reason they should make him lethargic, he’s always sleepy for a good couple of days when he’s on any medication that isn’t his regular heart medication.
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The vet said that as he’s been very lethargic and hasn’t been interested in eating, that it’s likely he’s just finally deteriorating. He’s an old boy, and he’s had a ton of medical problems in the years since he walked into our house and decided to stay. On top of that, losing his best friend in the world, Halo hit him so hard last year (you and me both, buddy).
What it boils down to is that if Ginge doesn’t put weight on, he’ll have to be put down. I’m devastated by this as we’ve already lost two cats within the past two years. Obviously I don’t want him to be suffering or have a bad quality of life, and the vet said he’s not in any pain, which is the most important thing.
So the plan is: project piehole. Feeding him up as much as possible with the vet-recommended things – chicken, tuna in spring water, the special nutrient-rich canned food prescribed for sick animals, and of course cat milk, Dreamies, and other treats. We’ve also shut the door to the spare room so he can’t hide under the bed for hours.
Thankfully, so far, he seems to be eating everything we give him (which is a LOT). And, as an extra bonus, he seems to be keeping it all down. So I’m really, really hoping that will continue. If we give him plenty of variety and go to him with food regularly (rather than relying on him asking for food or coming to eat with the others), maybe he can put some weight on before his next appointment in a couple of weeks.
Please keep your fingers crossed for him that he goes back to looking all big and healthy like he used to.
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