liquid diet

Question
my 16 year old cat has kidney disease and we give her fluids every other day.  She seems to be doing well in that respect.  However,  she had a "neurologic event" (maybe a minor stroke) that left one side of her mouth weak and she drools and doesn't seem able to get solid food into her mouth or chew.  Of course at her age, she has few teeth left.  I've been using a syringe to feed her Science diet AD mixed with cat milk and she licks the gravy from canned cat food.  She seems constantly hungry and I know she misses her kitty tuna.  Unfortunately, she is losing a lot of weight from this problem.  What can I get or cook/make for her to eat?

Answer
Oh Rebecca, I am sorry but you need to be careful when feeding her. Sounds like you are doing a great job!  Her weakness on the side of her mouth can allow her to aspriate.  When they aspriate, fluids go into the lungs and causes Pneumonia.  This is a very bad lung infection.  

My advice for you is to go very slowly with the sryinge feedings.  Don't push it too much or you can make things worse for her.  Also, your little one may be giving up the will to live.  Sometimes they won't take food or fluids becuase they want to die.

Make sure you give her comfort measures and don't over do it.  I hope you understand what I am trying to tell you.  We will be thinking of you and your 16 yr old girl..


Marie Of NuVET Plus