Yanno, TARM, I hadn’t thought about baby food. :-/ I should probably give it a try, thanks!
She’s doing much better today (I know, I hate when people say that after it seems like a bad scare has happened with a pet and you all are very sweet to urge me to get her seen before Xmas, thank you!) but she’s been sleeping most of the day (yesterday and today), so it’s hard to tell how an animal is doing when they’re unconscious. But if I’m reading her body language right, she’s more comfortable and I looked in the litter box today, there’s no sign of the loose stools she had two days ago. She isn’t digging at the carpet or wandering around looking anxious. I think we’ll be good for now, but one way or the other, I have very good ER vet help if I need it, even on holidays.
I would feed her straight ‘people food’ but she really won’t touch it. Surprising, as I’ve always had pets whom I have to swat off the table growing up. (Actually, my dog is still that way.) I’ve tried beef, chicken, fish…she won’t have any of it. But I have to say, since she was a kitten (and even now) she loves a finger full of ear wax. (I know…eeeewwww!) Does that sound like any kind of deficiency…(besides brain cells or taste buds) on the part of the cat? 0_o
I was more distressed realizing she’s had some rear leg ataxia for a few months now. She IS heavy, but usually was still able to jump up on things, like my bed. Now she pulls herself up by her forelegs and you can tell it’s a strain, so I lift her up when I see her trying. I think a lot of it has to do with her mental state, as she definitely missed my son when he left for college, and now that he’s home for awhile, she seems happier. But yes, she’s an old girl. I have to expect that sooner or later, we’ll be talking about the bridge for her as well. I don’t think this, or the next few years, though.
I, too, realize that even when a company claims their food is ‘organic’, there are no rules saying that the label has to reflect the contents for pet food, so yes, I look forward to finding some of the Orijen formula. Right now though, the Organix seems to be agreeing with all three cats. Which is good because I didn’t want to go back to Purina and Fancy Feast.
IBD cannot be cured, only treated and managed. I mostly worry about her having liver problems, as that can turn dicey quickly. With most of our pets in the last 15 years passing from either stomach problems or cancer or a combo of both, I have to wonder some days if there isn’t something in this house that’s making us all sick. So talk is becoming serious that a move should be in our future.
Anyway, that’s long term. Right now, I’m off to make an egg for her and see if I can tempt her with it. (We have local eggs from a lady who lives within block of us, so I KNOW those are healthy.)
Thank you all so much for the healing vibes! I will let Tooey know you are thinking of her.