Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 1/22/2009

Question
My cat has stopped eating, drinking and just generally being herself.  I have thought of every reason why she would be acting like this, and I have come up with nothing.  I took her to the vet yesterday and they took x-rays and blood work.  Everything came back fine.  They checked to see if she possibly hurt any bones or muscles.  NOTHING.  The blood work checked her blood cell count, kidneys, heart and liver. NOTHING.  She is very lethargic and not moving much.  She generally is the first one to the food dish and never leaves my side when I am home.  She sleeps with me and sits on the couch and she has not done either one of those in 4 days.  I am getting a second opinion on Friday but was wondering if you have any ideas.  If she pulled a muscle or has a soft tissue injury, would she not eat at all?  She is drinking water but only if I pick her up and take her to the bowl.  She is only 3 years old and I have 2 other cats that are pefectly fine.  Please help ;)

Answer
WIthout examining the cat, I can't be very specific.  I use 2 things to get a cat to eat.  First, I give a shot of Dxxamethasone and if that doesn't work in one or two days, I give mirtazapine tablets (15 mg) twice a week.  Make sure that the vet gives the cat tube feeding with proteins because cats develop a liver disease called hepatic lipidosis when they starve.