Page 302 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

294 PART 5 CAT WITH ACUTE ILLNESS

UPALATABLE FOOD* Clinical signs
Partial or complete anorexia is observed with respect to
Classical signs the cat’s normal food source.
● Partial anorexia. No weight loss or other signs of illness are apparent.

Pathogenesis Diagnosis
Diagnosis is based on confirming that another food
Change in diet to unpalatable food may precipitate
source is being used, e.g. neighbors, successful hunting.
total or partial anorexia.
Ruling out other causes of anorexia.
Stale food or spoiled food may cause anorexia.
Differential diagnosis
Clinical signs
Other causes of anorexia.
Complete or partial anorexia.

Treatment
Diagnosis
Eliminate the alternate food source if indicated.
History of change in diet.

History of feeding from a large, slowly consumed bag of ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS*
dry food, or providing several days of rations in one meal.
Classical signs
Ruling out other causes of anorexia.
● Inactivity and/or anorexia.
Differential diagnosis
Other causes of depression and anorexia. Pathogenesis

Hot weather may cause inactivity and withdrawal to
Treatment cool locations.
Resume previous diet or offer other more palatable Cold weather may cause withdrawal to warm locations.
food.
The cat may not be eating because of discomfort or
because of inactivity and withdrawal.
Prognosis

Excellent provided anorexia is not protracted in obese Clinical signs
cats resulting in hepatic lipidosis.
Variable withdrawal, inactivity, anorexia and dehydration.

ALTERNATE FOOD SOURCE* During hot weather periods the cat may be more active
than usual at night when it is cooler.
Classical signs No signs of another disorder causing depression and
anorexia.
● Partial anorexia.
Diagnosis
Pathogenesis
History of temperature extremes.
The cat has another food source in addition to its usual
source, causing physiologic anorexia. Ruling-out other causes of depression and anorexia.