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Question
My 3 yr. old Tip-Z has a condition they really don't know what to call. She stopped eating. So the vet put in a tube to her stomach. I have to soak dry food till soft. Blend it up. And feed it through tube with syringe. Problem is I can't find a kitten food with a lot of calories. So far I have Kitten Chow. I'm looking for Iams - Maximum Calorie. Do you know of a better one? Not too expensive would be better.
Hi Sheryll. The best food for this situation is probably going to be a prescription food, like Hill's a/d or Royal Canin's Recovery RS. They're canned foods, so they wouldn't need to be soaked in water. But they are formulated especially for anorexic cats and cats recovering from severe illness, and their calorie density is greater than any food you will find on the general market. Your vet can provide the food for you or give you a prescription to buy the food online.
Or, you may want to consider adding some Nutri-Cal to the Kitten Chow mixture you're feeding her. This is a calorie supplement that will instantly boost the amount of nutrition she receives from any food. It's available at some pet stores and online. This would probably be more effective than any regularly available cat food.
Good luck to you and Tip-Z!
Jessica
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thank-you so much! I bought the Nutri-Cal at Pet Suupply Plus. And the vet suggested the Royal Canin food that you did. I used these both together and she's doing great! Tip-Z is putting on weight again, playing with the other cats and growling at the dog! All is back to normal! She's a large cat so she's fattening up nicely. Thanks again! Sheryll | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Jessica
Expertise
The areas in which I have gained the most experience are cat health and feral cat management/rescue. I provide supportive care to chronically ill cats, hospice care to terminally ill cats and also am involved in trap-neuter-return efforts. My specialities lie in taming feral cats and in the allopathic treatment of cats with illnesses or special needs. I also have owned Siamese, Himalayans, Abyssinians, Russian Blues, Savannahs, Bengals, Peterbalds, Don Sphynx and Oriental Shorthairs and am well-versed in cat breeds as well as cat behavior and nutrition.
Experience
I have 15 years of extensive experience with cats ranging from breeding to medical care. My daily routine consists of caring for cats with diabetes, thyroid disease, kidney failure, feline leukemia, feline AIDS as well as feral cats. I have experience with liver patients, heart patients, feline infectious peritonitis, cancer, recovery from amputation and trauma, congenital deformities and most every disease in between. I have assisted cats giving birth and hand-nursed kittens who were neglected by their mother from 2 days old through weaning.
Education/Credentials
15 years' hands-on experience
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