My favorite pet cat is recuperating from a gunshot wound to his face & head. The vet says probably rat or bird shot was used. The poor thing survivied and I'm nursing him the best that I can. He has an bit of an appitite & trys to eat but throws up everything he swallows. Any ideas on food that I can prepare for him that will stay down & help him heal? Thanks for any suggestions.

-- Jenny Malone (doggarden@msn.com), May 10, 2001

Answers

Hi Jenny, Sorry to hear this! Glad kitty has survived. I'd go with a meat baby food, that he can basically just lap up. Also, many stores carry a product that is used for debilitated animals, it comes in a tube (like toothpaste) and it's a concentrated nutritional supplement. Your vet might also have something called Nutri-Cal that would be good for kitty. Poor baby! Good luck.

-- Shannon at Grateful Acres Animal Sanctuary (gratacres@aol.com), May 10, 2001.

I would get chicken livers and cook and mush and try that .Dont know if they still make it but the used to make a milk made for cats .Some have problems with cow milk , or how about some goat milk .give him small amounts often .If he still gets sick try ground up chicken or lamb .If he was put under for the wound it may take several days for his system to get back into the swing of things.

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@slic.com), May 10, 2001.

If he's been banged around (small animals don't do at all well if they were very near the blast from a shotgun, or even other kinds of shock) then it will take a while for everything to settle down. How does he do with a little milk? If that's OK, then it could help tide him through 'til he's more recovered. If he can handle straight milk, then you could start building up to giving him egg-nog (ohhh - that vanilla and brandy! - no, stop it Donald!) Milk supplemented with egg- yolk could help - try to avoid using all the egg-white at first - there's a protein in raw egg-white (avidin?) that destroys vitamin B - doesn't matter so much normally, but best not to overdo it if he's on a restricted diet.

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), May 10, 2001.

you could also try giving him KMR (Kitten milk replacer) Has the extra vitamins and nutriants, easily digested.

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), May 11, 2001.