Last week I noticed that he wasn't really as active as usual, and just not really doing a lot of his normal routine -- like not jumping on the counter when I take a shower, not coming to the kitchen to help "fix" breakfast and dinner and just really sleeping around a lot more and seeming extra lazy. He also wasn't really eating.
So Thursday we went to the vet. The poor guy was down to 7 pounds! He has been holding steady right at about 8.0 to 8.2 for the past couple years. So obviously, the food thing was a issue.
 |
| Even at the vet, I still look handsome! |
Turns out he has a urinary tract infection, and some gingivitis in his mouth. The doctor felt that the combination of those two were making him feel like he did and not wanting to eat. So we boosted him up with an antibiotic shot and we went home with Clavamox for me to give him twice a day for a couple weeks.
Yesterday I called the vet to see if he should be feeling much better by now, because it had been several days and, while he was eating a little bit more (I'm talking like 10 kibbles in a sitting), it wasn't enough to sustain anycat. I've been such a helicopter mom the past week that I do nothing but worry.
 |
| This is my fort. I've been hanging out in here a lot lately. |
The vet feels that he's still not all done with the UTI and that he's feeling a little better (he is eating something at least and definitely perkier), but that he needs to eat more, or else it would really be no good.
So we decided that he can eat WHATEVER HE WANTS. He's 15, and he's the king. If he wants tuna sashimi, the vet said, let him have it! Whatever makes him eat, that's the most important thing right now.
 |
| My vet visit Monday. You mean I can eat ANYTHING?! |
So we went home and he dined on Fancy Feast for lunch, followed by Greenies for dessert. He hasn't been allowed to have treats for years, and he LOVES them. Best. Day. Ever!
I also bought him canned kitten food so that he gets more calories, and several other packs of healthy-ish treats. He had about half a can of the Fancy Feast kitten tonight! That's huge! He hasn't eaten that much in a long time.
 |
| Stay away from my Fancy Feast, lady. |
In the meantime... I hope he doesn't become TOO fancy with his demands. Tuna sashimi is a bit of a stretch for a kitty! ;)
 |
| You may smooch my face. ;) |
Sweet Pimp! Eat up and enjoy all the loving, buddy. Hope you feel better soon. I'm glad you're spoiling him, I don't think you're too helicoptery. :)
ReplyDeleteHugs and prayers to you and Pimp.
ReplyDeleteEat up and get well Pimp.I
ReplyDeletewill pray for you.XX
Prayers and hugs for Pimp. I know about old guys. Mine's 14 and has cancer. Vet thought we'd have him maybe 6 more months, now going on 1 year. He's lost weight so he gets what he wants...baby food and tuna He still plays with his little sister like he did when he was much younger. So as long as he doesn't seem in pain we'll keep going.
ReplyDeleteMy kitty and I said hugs and prayers for Pimp. My cat, who's just turned 6 had a lot of issues with his bladder and he's been eating Hill's Prescription c/d the past couple of years. He truly misses his Fancy Feast I can tell. So, Pimp, eat your Fancy Feast and your treats and put on some weight. Because it's not just your Mom that loves you, we all love you and want you to feel better.
ReplyDeleteI hope your boy feels better soon! Sending purrs
ReplyDeleteI'm sending lots of purrayers Pimp's way! Hope he feels better soon :o)
ReplyDeleteSending lots of love and prayers to you both. Eat well and feel better real soon Pimp!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear Pimp isn't doing as well as he should. I don't feed Fiona the Diva any tuna or treats, but she does get Fancy Feast Classic Chicken and Purina One kibble every day, and she has always had an appetite!
ReplyDeleteTry him on Soulistic (Petco brand) fish flavors with gravy (cats don't like the chicken flavors very much). This is real wet, sloppy food that is good for the urinary tract infection. I have a cat with that problem. He loves this food and has had no urinary problems since I have been using it. Sure hoping for the best for you and Pimp.
ReplyDeleteAwe. We love that boy as much as you. Yes he is the King he gets to eat what ever he wants.
ReplyDeleteSending healthy wishes for Pimp to start eating more, gaining some weight back and feeling better!
ReplyDeleteGet better, Pimp Meister! Your mommy loves you and needs you all plumped up! I love you, too!
ReplyDeleteAw Pimpage, you get better, buddy. Your mama loves you and so do all your adoring fans!!
ReplyDeleteI've been following you for a long time, but first time posting. I love the little guy too and hope the very best for him and for you. Please feel better Pimpy. We love you <3
ReplyDeleteKeeping weight on our old guys is always a challenge. Some favorites of our 21 year old cow kitty include: human baby food (meat flavored), Appaw-tizers (from the organic store), Fancy Feast Broth (amazing expensive packets for the amount, but Clancy loves them), Elegant Entrees, Newman's Own, Purina One, or pretty much anything in a small can.
ReplyDeletePurrs, prayers, hugs and love to you dear Pimp from all of us.
ReplyDeleteDorian, Pimp is in my prayers! I went through something similar with an old kitty several years ago and I went to every length to get her to eat. I'd open 6 cans of food, baby food, tuna...feed her off my fingers if that's the only way she would eat. I think she got a kick out of that! I was able to keep her going that way for years. I pray that Pimp keeps going for you that same way.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind note a few weeks ago. I really meant to respond but am still having so many cat issues myself that it slipped my mind. I will always miss my Angel Jesse! Dealing with Verlander and PiqueABoo kitten takes up time and energy, but it doesn't heal my broken heart. While I love all of my cats dearly, Jesse was special. :-)
Oh Pimpy I love you so! Keep eating little one! My Kitty girl is also having some issues. I was up in the middle of the night checking on her like a baby. Oh yes cat moms do have the worries sometimes.
ReplyDeleteHang in there Sir Pimp. Hope you get the Tuna Sashimi!
ReplyDeleteI'm pulling for that handsome boy, Pimp. I have a 13 yr old with IBD who can't seem to tolerate any food for long & to make matters worse, he is the pickiest eater I've erver had. We do whatever we have to because we love them. Prayers for Pimp, eat up!
ReplyDeleteMy dearly departed Mulder lived on Soulistic Luna Tuna in his last months -- about the only thing he would eat. So there's one recommendation for you.
ReplyDeleteHang in there Pimp! I know he's such a special boy!
ReplyDeleteSorry that you all are going through that. I am praying for that handsome boy! My old cat Hershey had hyperthyroid and she did use the meds, but because she would put up such a fight I would crumble them into her food, that worked for us. I agree he needs lots of good food! extra hugs and kisses to Pimp and your other boys!! Love Margaret
ReplyDeleteSending good thoughts and prayers for Pimp. My Avalanche was in the same boat not too long ago. He has been eating whatever the heck he wants, including some of my meals. He's now up to 7.8 pounds! He, too has a thyroid problem along with asthma and Valley Fever. Go Pimp!
ReplyDeleteTry baby food, the meats. Worked great when one of my babies was sick.
ReplyDeleteLove and prayers to Pimp and to you, Dorian. I certainly know how difficult this is. You are the best MOM!!!! Okay Pimp....enjoy the food.....gain a pound or two!!! Feel better. You are so loved!!!
ReplyDeletePimp feel better soon!!!!
ReplyDeleteThis brings tears to my eyes. My beloved gray and white Dallas, who was 18 with thyroid troubs and on meds just slowly dwindled due to old age. I lost him Sept 8. I pray Pimp keeps eating and putting on weight. He has years left! He's a fighter. And the greatest mom! They ARE our babies...
ReplyDeletePimp and you will be in my prayers. He’s such a lucky boy, having you and a warm and loving life. I too would spoil the crap out of him, he’s earned it. I am very much against any kind of dry food, so avoid that, especially now. I am confident you will find yummies he will love, so that he can pork up a bit. X’s & O’s
ReplyDeleteI hope Pimp gets better soon, sweet kitty.
ReplyDeleteIt's scary when older kitties don't eat well. I think that feeding him the tastiest foods you can to bulk him up sounds like a good plan. You and Pimp are in my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteOhh poor guy. I hope he gets better soon. Give him lots of hugs.
ReplyDeleteDorian,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry. All my love to Pimp and to you. And another food suggestion to add to the many below: try small cans of B F F brand (I think that's supposed to stand for Best Feline Friend) if you can find it. Many fishy varieties, and what my vet recommended when my elderly diabetic/chronic kidney failure kitties decided not to eat, after years of being fine wi Hills prescription stuff. Also chicken broth. You're right; eating trumps prescription food right now. Love, Purrs from my gang, and added Woofs, which we don't have to tell Pimp about.
Oh Pimp!! Please eat more. You and your vet are quite smart, at 15 you are right, he can eat what he wants! He still has many good years in him! Sending healing purrs and love.
ReplyDeleteI love following your blog and network updates. You are doing the right thing by your old buddy -- but you don't need anyone to tell you that. He's 15! That's pretty old by cat standards, which I also have a hard time reconciling sometimes. We have one cat that is 16 and mildly kidney deficient. But she is still full of vigor for her age and condition. On the other hand, our other lady who was 13, we thought of as being indestructible and figured she would live a lot longer...unfortunately, she had cancer that went undetected until there were extremely obvious symptoms so we had to say our farewell recently. Only a few days beforehand we decided to stop giving her meds because she didn't want the food with meds in it. She had accepted her condition and wanted us to do so as well. It's important for cat lovers to try to accept and understand the way they communicate with us, because it's insanely subtle most of the time. If you think there is something off, you do what you gotta do. If Pimp loves kitten food and sardines, I say let there be feasting. (Bad breath, but who cares.) :)
ReplyDeleteOh Dorian! When I saw your mail my heart broke - why is this happen to your wonderful Pimp as well ? I just want to remind you that while Pimp is on the UTI food he should NEVER get any other food or treats because it cancels anything that the latter does for his UTI. It's only normal to let him eat whatever he wants but it is NOT GOOD for him. I know that we want to give our kids whatever they want, but it it always what they need ?
ReplyDeleteI have a kitty in exactly the same condition, female, 14 years old, down from 9,7 lbs to 6,9 lbs, with recurring UTI infections and on thyroid meds since 8 years. But she is still jumping around like a kitten. To let her gain weight I'm adding a 1/2 a teaspoon of extra olive oil to her Fancy Feast wet food and she gobbles it down - most of the time. W/o it she just sniffs at it and let it sit. Just try it, Pimp may get some good calories and gain some weight! Am staying with you all the way and my prayers will include your beloved kitty all the way along. Love all of you.
We sure hope Pimp feels better real soon. Purrs...
ReplyDeleteGet well soon :)
ReplyDeleteAw, I'm glad your old lady is still jumping around like a kitten! :)
ReplyDeletePimpy isn't on UTI food, so he's good. He's getting medicine twice a day for it, so that he can chow down still! :) Let's hope he keeps it up!
And thank you. <3
Thank you. We do, too!
ReplyDeleteAw, I'm sorry to hear about your baby. Cancer is the devil. :( And I hate that cats can't talk, so we sometimes don't notice until it's very far along.
ReplyDeleteI hope Pimp doesn't want sardines! I don't think I could even stand the smell to give them to him! Hehe.
Thank you. <3
Tonight he had more kitten food, some dry food that I wetted and later he'll have freeze-dried treats for dessert! A feast for a king for sure. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you. <3
Thank you. <3
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jan. <3 I'll look it up. I don't think I've ever heard of it!
ReplyDeleteI sure will! Until he's so hugged that he gets annoyed with me. ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you. <3 He seems to think it's a good plan, too! ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you. <3
ReplyDeleteHe does love his dry food, so he can have it if he wants. ;) I did add some water to it though to make it a little more mushy. But he's always been a dry food boy, no matter what else I offer!
ReplyDeleteAw, I'm sorry about Dallas. 18 is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI think all kitties should live forever.
Two pounds would be amazing! I'll see if I can keep stuffing him. ;)
ReplyDeleteSomeone else suggested baby food too! I'll have to look at the ingredients. I know they can't have garlic and things like that. We will try it!
ReplyDeleteHurray for eating whatever they want! It seems like quite a few kitties here are enjoying the same "king" diet as Pimp!
ReplyDeleteThank you! <3
ReplyDeleteThank you. <3 I hope your boy finds a favorite food and chows down, too!
ReplyDeleteHeh. He hopes so too, I'm sure! ;) I should do it just to tell the vet that he was the one who recommended it... ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm up several times a night too. They are our babies!
ReplyDeleteThank you. <3
I bet she did know exactly what she was doing! She had you wrapped around her paw. ;)
ReplyDeleteNo worries about not responding! We're all busy, and it's just good to know someone else cares and is thinking about us. <3
Thank you! <3 I hope Brian is on the up and up, too!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jan. I will have to check out that Broth. I saw it for the first time in the store last night. I bet he'd love it!
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you. <3 And hello! :)
ReplyDeleteHe seems to be feeling better today. He's out and about more, which is good!
Pimpage! I love it.
ReplyDeletePlump, plump, plump!
ReplyDeleteit's hard to believe this boy was 22 pounds once. I can't even imagine!
Thank you! <3
ReplyDeleteAnd he knows it too! ;) Thank you. <3
ReplyDeleteI'll have to look for this. I don't think I've ever heard about it or maybe I just haven't noticed it!
ReplyDeleteI will surely have to look this up!
ReplyDeleteMaybe she could teach Pimp a thing or two! <3
ReplyDeleteThank you! <3
ReplyDeleteThank you. <3 We all do, too!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Andrea! <3
ReplyDeleteAw, he is sure seeming to be excited about his new diet, so I hope he keeps it up! Thank you. <3
ReplyDeleteHurray for more time for your old guy! I hope he keeps eating too. I really think they should all live forever. <3
ReplyDeleteHe's working on it! Thank you. <3
ReplyDeleteHello back! :) Good to hear he is slowly getting around and feeling better. Poor little guy. He's so skinny. Definitely see why any kind of diet would be thrown out the window...unless it is of the putting on some weight variety. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
ReplyDeleteThat’s good news, and I am thrilled and surprised he can eat dry without trouble! Nearly every male in my family has had struvite crystals due to dry, and spent time in the hospital. I’ve even had a female get them. Needless to say, I no longer allow my 4 to have any dry food. My sister’s male came very close to death, with his crystals blocking his urinary tract, and was in the hospital for a week :-(
ReplyDeleteMy other sister’s cat ate a combo of canned and dry for 18 years with no struvites, and apparently Pimp is also doing well with it. My daughter’s male had his little penis snipped, so that IF he ever got them again, they could possibly pass. I always mention the problem dry can cause, only to prevent any kitty from suffering with this very common condition, it’s extremely painful. But as you say, Pimp should have anything and everything he will eat at this point. Bless his precious heart! X’s & O’s
He probably thinks I am! ;) Thank you. <3
ReplyDeleteThank you. <3 We're surely working on it!
ReplyDeleteI hope Pimp feels better soon!
ReplyDeleteAwww, poor Pimp. <3
ReplyDeleteTrust me, I feel your pain with the whole elder kitty thing. I'm going through the same sort of routine with Siouxsie -- the hyperthyroidism, the big UTI and a month-long course of antibiotics, teeth issues, arthritis. No need for sub-Q fluids yet, thankfully, but she does have early-stage kidney disease.
After two unsuccessful attempts with I-131 therapy to control Siouxsie's hyperthyroidism, I've now got her on a low dose of methimazole. She's doing OK on it, eating well, and maybe even gaining an ounce or two. Hang in there, Dorian -- and if you ever find yourself having one of those moments that sometimes come along when you're caring for an elderkitty, look me up. I'm here for ya.
Awwww, so sorry to hear Pimp isn't feeling well. I just love his face. Please give him a smooch from me. BTW, my little guy does not like wet food, except
ReplyDeleteBBF. I add some hot water from the kettle to make more sauce. He gobbles it down. Will keep Pimp in my prayers. Please keep us updated.
Sending lots of thoughts and prayers, and purrs and wags, for Pimp to eat plenty and fill back out. My vet told me a while back that sometimes cats whose appetite is off will inhale turkey lunchmeat.
ReplyDeleteGosh knows my two kitties whose appetites are just fine go insane for turkey or chicken lunchmeat, and for American cheese, too. I believe I read somewhere that soft, light-colored cheeses are OK for kitties. (But darker, harder cheeses, not so much, though I can't remembe why.) So if you have lunchmeat in the house, and especially turkey, chicken, or cheese, it might be worth experimenting to see if Pimp has an appetite for them.
PLUMP is the word,
ReplyDeleteLike a turkey bird!....
Pimp, the PLUMP MEISTER!
I had an 18 yr old cat with chronic renal failure. I can remember saying to the vet how skinny he was and not eating which they said was just the way it was. When he deteriorated suddenly, I joined a Feline CRF support group online (this was back 17yrs ago with the infancy of the Internet) and it was them who gave me great ideas to share with my vet. One was that you buy Prilosec 10mg tabs (over the counter at your local pharmacy) and cut it up into 10 pieces and give 1 once a day. My Herman ate every day after that till the day he died for the next 5months so just something to ask your vet.
ReplyDeleteMy siamese Mistoff is currently 21 years old and I had the opposite problem in which he was food frantic every 2 hrs, restless and loosing weight. Interestingly, he lost his meow 8 months ago which I just presumed was old age. Turns out dogs, yes, lose their bark but in cats it is a sign of Hyperthroid. Mistoff has been on meds now for a month and is no longer frantic and looking much better.
Cuddles and wishes to you and Pimp
Jenny
my Mistoff is 21 and just started on Methimazole a month ago. Big change in his behavior. He is no longer food frantic (every 2 hrs) and has calmed down, not restless & pacing. He lost his voice 8 months ago and I just recently found out that dogs lose their barks but that in cats it is the sign of Hyperthyroid. I just figured he was losing weight from old age, bad kidneys
ReplyDeleteI have a 21 yr old Siamese and he was food frantic for the last year (every 2 hrs). My point was he can eat whatever & whenever he wants. he gets Fancy feast. he lost his Meow in february & I just presumed it was old age and figured his need to eat & weight was his age also. Turns out I recently found out that dogs lose their Bark but not cats in old age & it is the sign of Hyperthyroidism. He has been on meds for a month and is completely different, settled, wants to snuggle. Sleeps in bed with me and not in the bathtub. Best of luck to you with your old cat also
ReplyDeleteSending love, prayers and hugs. Get well soon Pimp. Love you Pimp xx
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad he's eating again! Such a worry when they stop, especially at his age. I'm glad you have a vet who agrees with the "he can have whatever he wants" approach. And hey, if he wants tuna sashimi..... Feel better, Pimp!
ReplyDeleteHe has a beautiful face. I hope he does better and gains weight. My first cat lost weight and I thought it was good because he was little big. It hurts that they can't tell us what is wrong. Turned out he had hyperthyroid and the meds helped and prolonged his life by a few years.
ReplyDeleteI love this kitty! Kudos to you for letting him eat these treats and get better soon baby!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAww, poor guy, hope he starts eating more! Come on, Pimp, demand shrimp!
ReplyDeleteOh Pimp we are so sorry to hear that you are sick. It is truly no fun at all getting older. Hopefully, you will feel better eating all that good food. We sure send you tons of purrs and prayers. You got to stick around with that Mom now. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get better Pimp. I'll be thinking of you and sending you positive vibes. You are such a handsome fella!
ReplyDeleteThe vet could have given you A/D I think it's called. It's a food for recovering cats and to help them eat more and better. Helps the appetite. Still stick to good healthy good. When my elder cats got to that point or any cat not eating too much I would mix in some Iams the gravy with meat or fish onto their usual food. And tuna is good but mix it with his food. You can always cook some fish and/or chicken and give him that with his usual food. It may help stabilize his thyroid at the same time without taking him off the med food for that.
Good luck beautiful Pimp. Fingers and kitty paws here all crossed for you! Xo
Get better soon little guy. Sparta and me and Tinkerbell says you're in our prayers.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you gave us a link to your fb comment. I am happy that Pimp is doing better today (11-27). Wish him only the very, very best and thanks so much Dorian, for your selfless care for this wonderful old man ! (Being a helicopter mom myself for months, I understand your worries only too well.) Good luck to both of you.
ReplyDeleteOh.NO! I've been in the hospital/rehab for a long time--unable to see email!--& knew nothing of this! I've sent up a prayer for poor Pimp. Please keep me abreast of his health! I hope for the very best, of course. <3 <3
ReplyDelete