Symptoms of malnutrition and supplements
The symptoms of long-term malnutrition are easy to see. Weight loss, fatigue and muscle weakness are prevalent along with psychological issues such as depression and even neurosis. Like humans, a cat’s physical appearance can alter in subtle ways in the earlier stages of malnutrition. A lack of calcium and vitamin E will cause dry, scaly skin, caved in nails and lacklustre hair which is sparse in patches. Vomiting, diarrhoea and lethargy can be signs of depleted vitamin B12. This can be easily treated by offering liquid or paste probiotics mixed into a cat’s food to aid absorption. Adding omega 3 fish oil to a malnourished cat’s diet can also be of great benefit, but it’s essential to have established a stable eating routine of 3 days or more to avoid upsetting its digestion.
Careful refeeding
Reintroducing food slowly is essential to prevent “refeeding syndrome,” a disorder that can cause electrolyte imbalances and result in death in extreme cases. Small, palatable pieces of plain, cooked turkey or ham without added salt can provide a good short-term option for a malnourished cat because of its high protein content and low fat content. This makes it quite easy for the cat’s body to process providing a fresh water supply is available to fight off the dehydration that often comes with malnutrition. White fish is another good option, and if flaked well can be mixed with water to increase a cat’s water consumption.
Wet food
One alternative to the options above would be to supply a moist cat food, which is well balanced and full of nutrition. Wet cat food is easier for a malnourished cat to eat because of its soft consistency which requires little effort to chew, and it’s packed full of water that can help ease dehydration and the constipation that can go along with it. Wet cat food is better composed than the dry alternative, too. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they need muscle-based meats to survive. These meats contain taurine which is essential for good eye health and prevents tooth decay. It makes sense then, to provide a malnourished cat with a high meat content food. While dried food does contain meat, the content is often much lower than moist varieties such as Webbox wet cat food. It is generally bulked out with harder to process carbohydrates making it a less suitable choice.
Veterinary Care
Good veterinary care should be provided for any malnourished feline to prevent long-term health issues and to diagnose the cause of malnutrition. Sometimes malnutrition is down to mistreatment, and in other cases an underlying health issue can be the root cause of a cat’s dietary issues. Be sure to discuss any previous feeding attempts with the vet who will be able to advise you further on foods and supplements for your cat to nurse them back to good health.
Health Issues Associated with Malnourishment
FIV is an infectious disease with signs that are similar to those associated with other immunodeficiency disorders such as severe malnutrition. Malnourished cats may not be capable of responding to a disease challenge by developing antibodies on being given a vaccine. Malnourished, rundown cats who have lost their ability to keep themselves groomed can acquire lice which are usually found beneath matted hair around the ears, head, shoulders and neck. Kittens with an enlarged oesophagus (a congenital disease) have difficulty swallowing leading to possible malnourishment and stunted growth. Inflammatory bowel disease is characterised by a variety of symptoms including weight loss, anaemia and malnutrition. Cats suffering for malabsorption syndrome (a non-specific disease caused by an underlying disorder of the small bowel, liver or pancreas) suffer from malnutrition. The early signs of diabetes includes unexplained weight loss due to a drop in appetite and an inability to metabolise blood glucose. Cats that are more likely to develop pneumonia will be those who are malnourished or with a suppressed immune system.
Medical source: Cat Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook.
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I would sue the vet for malpractice and file a complaint with whoever can take away their license. I would also see what I could to punish the neighbor. It sounds like the neighbor totally planned this ahead of time and tricked you or they would have called you. I bet the neighbor lied to the vet and told the vet you wanted this. Cat haters are evil. I an sure she tricked you. It would take a lot for me not to totally beat the neighbor to a pulp if she did that to my cat and I woukd tell her you stay away from me or I will consider you an intruder and you can figure out the rest.
GREAT information. One desperately malnourished cat I brought in a long time ago did start to respond to careful feeding, but I made the mistake of letting a neighbor take him to the vet while I went to work. She and the vet decided, against my express demand, to put him down! Never again will I trust a neighbor to do anything. “What, my house is on fire? Just stay away alright!” I don’t know what it is but neighbors always seem to do things differently than I would.