My kitty is not eating, losing weight

Question
One of my cats has given up any interest in food, well maybe a few licks of gravy, and does drink water, but he has lost significant weight, he is not a big cat as it is highest weight maybe 5-6# I venture to say he is maybe 4# now :(  His Sister died 4 yrs ago from CRF, and I fear thats what his problem is, he may have gotten sick and food was of no interest as sick cats will lose interest,m and of course after a few days not really eating he lost weight.

I haven't been to vet due to monetary, I have 8 others they are fine, this baby lays around and I have been checking to see if he is dehydrated although he does drink.  What is good to give him until I can get to vet, if not too late..this is so hard on me too, I syringe feed to supplement him and just started giving pedialyte a coupke small syringes as I dont know how much to give.  

Thanks for the advice and help \PS I can give sub-Q's if need be as well.

Cindy

Answer
Hi Cindy.  I have to say I would get this kitty to the vet to be put to sleep if you can't afford anything else.  He's obviously suffering.  Generally, it's a good idea to forcefeed a cat who won't eat, but if he's got a tumor pressing on the esophagus, he could actually choke on food if forced.  If his intestines have shut down for one reason or another, any food you force will essentially become poison.  And if he's got pancreatitis, force feeding him might do more harm than good, as some vets recommend to let the pancreas rest for several days and give the cat all his nutrition intraveinously.  So without a diagnosis, I can't really advise you to forcefeed OR not to forcefeed.

The sub-q fluids are usually a good idea if there are any signs of dehydration (tough skin, yellow teeth, tacky gums, smelly breath).  A four-lb cat would be fine on 100cc's a day.  However, remember that a bag of lactated ringer's solution is only good for 2 weeks after opening it.  And the venoset (the tubing with the valve, etc.) should only be used for 2 weeks, as well, if any solution has been standing in it.  If you have an open bag from when your cat with renal failure passed away, it should probably be discarded.