Anorexia
Overview:
Anorexia is the act of not eating. This is a symptom that should never be ignored, especially in cats. Liver failure is imminent if a cat has not eaten in 72 hours.
Causes:
The causes of anorexia are infinite and as a result can not be listed. However, the cause can be as benign as food unpalatability or stress, as mildly concerning as dental disease, gastrointestinal viruses, or aging, or as severe as cancer, gastrointestinal foreign bodies, or organ failure.
Symptoms:
Other than not eating, some animals will vomit, have diarrhea, or will drink and urinate more depending on the cause.
Treatment:
Treatment will depend on the diagnosis. Some animals will need to be hospitalized with intravenous fluid replacement if they have become dehydrated. There are also appetite stimulants for cats that are injectable or oral.
