Ziggy has lost probably 10 pounds in the last month. He’s 15 years old. He was always a big cat, he’s tall, used to be fat, now he weighs under ten pounds and is pathetically skin and bones.
I’ve taken him to the vet, they did several xrays, and bloodwork, kept him over night.
Xrays and bloodwork look normal.
Over $400 later, the vet’s diagnosis is feline asthma.
She gave him a shot of steroids, plus a couple prescriptions for Prednisolone, a steroid for his lungs, and Mirtazapine, an appetite stimulant.
He fights us tooth and nail (and I have the injuries to show for it) getting these medications down. The liquid is 1ML twice a day, the pill is once every 72 hours. Afterwards, he’s just a wreck with a five inch drool hanging from his mouth.
We’ve offered him pure liquid “lickable” cat treats, various “elder” formula dry foods, different and more expensive canned foods, grilled chicken breast pulled apart with forks, pure white albacore tuna… everything we can think of. I’ve also offered him catnip, which he used to love, in an effort to get him to eat. No dice.
The whole thing is horrible.
We’re willing to entertain any advice to get him to eat, or make it easier to get his medicine down.
I don’t think he’s going to make it. It sucks extra bad because he was super healthy just a month ago.
Thanks