Dear friend,

Indoor well fed cats do not rely on teeth to eat. Those fangs are more for an outdoor hunter that had to disable their prey by biting their neck.

Your baby should have no problems with canned cat food,baby food, boiled chicken or fish.

Since this is a very elderly cat I am going to cover everything for you.

In a cat her age, my first suspicion in abscessed teeth in the gum giving her pain.The teeth become very loose in the jaw due to decay, hence the tooth loss. The next is acid reflux. Then there is hyperthyroid, dehydration, renal and liver disorders.

It is amazing that she is still eating when you count the stress of being rehomed at her age - May God bless her!!

There are a few possibilities for these symptoms. I will try to cover everything.

Weight loss is usually related to hyperthyroid. The cats eats great but the excess thyroid hormone burns up all the calories.

http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/hyperthyroidism.html

The problem is that this disorder can lead to your baby developing diabetes, high blood pressure and other ailments.

We do have excellent meds for this but is is necessary to do a T4 thyroid blood test.Any other thyroid test can be inaccurate.

It can also be related to renal issues especially if there is excess shedding because the hair becomes very dry.

Stress weakens the immune system and can lead to illness.Dental disease also depresses immunity and sends bacteria into the organs.

You are absolutely correct to be concerned, dehydration is very dangerous.Sometimes it is caused by renal issues that begin with UTI's

Not only can infections damage your baby's urinary tract but her immune system as well.

The type of food is VERY important. Hi protein and MEAT puts weight on without unnecessary fillers.But protein is contrainicated if the cat has renal disease.

http://www.nextag.com/renal-cat-food/search-html

http://webpages.charter.net/katkarma/canfood.htm

http://www.petcaretips.net/chronic_renal_failure_cats.html

In addition, UTI's must be treated with an effective broad spectrum antibiotic like Clavamox or clidimycin and for a long enough duration so all bacteria is eradicated. If not, they will refluorish, stronger and more resistant and reinfect her . In addition, the bacteria can become tolerant of the same antibiotic so the medication should be varied for best results.

http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/cystitis.html

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/32507/feline_cystitis_symptoms_and_its_treatments.html

It is better if she does not eat dry food. Canned will ensure she gets adequate fluid. Cats her age can become dehydrated more easily. A dehydrated cat is not motivated to eat.Plus her dental pain makes aating dry very difficult.

She should also be encouraged to drink(water will not balance her electrolytesI and as much as possible to keep the kidneys and bladder flushed. You can give her one daily drop of unsweetened (only) cranberry juice. That will reduce the PH of her urine and make her bladder inhospitable to UTI bacteria.

Although overweight can cause diabetes and other health problems, it is very dangerous for a cat to suddenly lose weight. That is because a cats liver becomes accustomed to a certain caloric intake. If that amount is cut (for any reason) the liver will think it is starving and grab protein and fat from the cats muscles and organs. This can cause liver and organ failure, muscle wasting and lead to a weakening of the immunity and a disorder called Hepatic lipidosis:

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_hepatic_lipidosis.html

Feed her only soft foods like canned or baby food with no onion or garlic.Try to feed every two hours as that is the best way for her body to metabolize the calories.Add water to the canned foo to make it easier to lick up..

Cats do not have whims like people. Whenever they stop eating they are either ill or in pain

If your cat stops eating and is not diabetic begin by giving her two droppers (cc size) of unflavored pedialyte every ten minutes for an hour. Next water down(plain water) canned cat food or baby food chicken or turkey with no onion or garlic and give only one dropper every ten minutes for another hour. Wait two hours and repeat both. When she feels hydrated she will lick up the gruel on her own.

Older cats are often calcium deficient - she can have milk if she has hard stool which is another cause of inappetite.

A tsp of plain yogurt contains aciophilus and will firm the stool by adding good bacteria.

So to review:

Canned cat food with water added.

baby food with no onion

milk

tuna and the water.

Due to her remarkable age, I would not put her through any tests or procederes. Just let her live and be well as long as she can..

Please let me know if you have more questions and how your baby is doing.. I will always be here for both of you.

May God bless YOU for taking her in!!

Please print all the links for future reference even if they do not apply now.

I hope she feels better very soon,

Very sincerely,

Terri