#1
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Is liver problem back???
I have a 13 year old cat Taz, who has me concerned.
Brief history...Happy, healthy cat until 2 years ago when he went from 15 lbs to 8 rather quickly. Vet ran lots of tests and determined it was some type of liver disease (can't remember exactly what she called it) He had jaundice, refused to eat, drink etc... vet said 30% chance he'd make it. We force fed him low protein food from vet for approx 3 months before he got better. Has been fine since, until recently. The past couple of days I have noticed that he has not been drinking much, if anything at all, today I came home, fed him as usual, he ate maybe half and then promptly vomited what he had eaten. He seems to meow a lot also. He is a healthy weight and does not seem to be in any pain. Does this sound like an issue with the liver again? I am calling the vet in the morning, just thought I'd ask here since I'm worried and can't sleep. Thanks and any info is appreciated. |
#2
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Glad to hear you are calling the vet in the morning
It's hard to say if this would be from the liver or something else as many health issues have similar symptoms. It could be the liver as he has had previous concerns, the symptoms also sound a bit like HyperThyroidism & the age is right for that. As Taz is now a senior kitty be sure to ask for yearly urine tests & blood tests including T4 for thyroid issues, to make sure you are on top of any issues that may crop up. Welcome to the forum , for the appt, let us know what the vet says
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Avoid biting when a simple growl will do The Spirit Lives As Long As Someone Who Lives Remembers You - Navaho Saying |
#3
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I hope Taz's vet visit goes well, mnkyluvr68. Please keep us posted and welcome to the board!
__________________
"We are--each of us--dying; it's how we live in the meantime that makes the difference." "It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived!" "Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle." |
#4
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Thank you both so much! It has been a very emotional day and I could use some advice again. I took Taz to the vet first thing this morning and this is what she said...
Blood work normal, X-ray showed a lot gas throughout the bowel through stomach and small intestine and the colon is full of soft stool type appearance material. One of three things, either his gut has just stopped moving, is in full illius(sp?) mode where bacteria is overgrowing, or he swallowed a string or some type of foreign object that has gotten stuck, or he has a tumor that they can't see. They gave him anti nausea and vomiting meds plus IV fluids but nothing helped and he continued vomiting all day. These are the options given...they can do exploratory surgery or euthanize him. This is what my son and I decided. We brought him home with IV fluids to be given twice a day and anti vomiting meds every 8 hours throughout the weekend. I'm going to sell some coins and try to come up with the money needed for surgery since it is quite expensive and I spent what I had available for todays visit. Am I wrong for bringing him home? He seems fairly comfortable but I'm torn... Is it the right thing for him to have the surgery or is that going to make things worse? If we opted not to have the surgery and it was just a string or something, I might be taking away the rest of his life from him. How does someone make that decision? I don't want to have to decide whether he lives or dies, what if I make the wrong choice? I'm very sorry this is so long, I just can't stop crying and am so drained. I really just want to do what's best for him. Thanks for listening to me babble |
#5
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Aw, mnkyluvr I've been in your shoes before and I know how hard it is...
If he's fairly comfortable, then I don't think you're wrong to bring him home. It's impossible to know exactly what's right--Life is unfortunately not that cut and dried. So you do the best you can, make the decision with love and with Taz's best interests in mind, and it will be the right thing--whatever you decide.
__________________
"We are--each of us--dying; it's how we live in the meantime that makes the difference." "It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived!" "Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle." |
#6
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Thanks for the hug Hazelrunpack. I needed that. Thanks also for the words of encouragement. Just keeping him comfy tonight and we'll see what tomorrow brings Thanks again
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#7
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As long as he in comfortable tonight, and not in distress then yes it was a good thing to bring him home, most cats are too stressed at the vets especially staying overnight.
Has he eaten anything since coming home from the vet? When was the last time he pooped?
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Avoid biting when a simple growl will do The Spirit Lives As Long As Someone Who Lives Remembers You - Navaho Saying |
#8
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I wish I had good advice for you. What a terrible situation. It sounds like it's a good thing you brought him home - I'm sure he'd rather be in his home than at the vet.
Good luck with your decision. It's a hard one but only you can make it for you and Taz.
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Storm (beeps and has a pink nose and toes), Misty (with big blue eyes and tasseled ears), Anya (only ever called Honey - she's that sweet), Zander (who goes by Punkin' cause he's almost that bright) Kasee (couch potato who thinks she's a dog) |
#9
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The reason I am asking all of these questions is because my 13 year old male cat just went through liver disease (cholangiohepatitis). He was very sick for 2 and a half months. throwing up constantly, not wanting to eat, etc. Many tests were done, xrays and yes exploratory surgery was suggested. But the vet also suggested an ultrasound. The ultrasound showed severe inflammation in his stomach, liver, gall bladder, bile ducts, colon and intestine. At that time a tumor or an enlarged pancreas did not show up. Although they could not rule out a tumor they were leaning towards that all the problems were caused by IBD. Which is very common with liver cats. But not once did the vets throw out the option to euthanize my cat. At one point when he was so sick and did not seem like he was going to get better I brought it up. The vet said she did not think that was an option at this point. I may be off on everything I am saying above but I am trying to give you some hope. Are you able to see another vet for a second opinion? Or get an ultrasound by a certified person that does ultrasounds in your city (not just someone that does them without much experience)? The one I went to was very highly recommended by two vets that I was dealing with. Do you have a certified internist in your city? If you could get an appt with one this may be beneficial for your kitty. I was dealing with one that was also a holistic vet. She was great. By the way the anti-nausea pill will not help if he has a blockage (constipated). Let me know how you are doing today! Good luck!
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Khari Mom to Libby (4 Month Old Kitten) 🐈 |
#10
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Thanks to all of you So today Taz woke up seeming to feel better. He was more alert, assuming that was due to all the meds they gave him. My son stopped at some specialty pet store and they gave him some canned food and a supplement to sprinkle on it to possibly help him go to the bathroom.
I put half a can (small) out for him and he ate it, leaving the chunks that were in the food. He has not thrown up since I got him home but has not used the cat box today at all. He is drinking a little bit and I gave him the IV fluids, hard for me to get that needle in him. Wonder if I got more on him than in him. So now I am just monitoring his input and output. @ Khari... PHP Code:
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[PHP]Has he been passing normal stools? The reason I ask is the vet says the colon is full and this may be an indication that the colon is not working properly. Did the vet say the colon looked enlarged. PHP] Not passing normal stools. Vet did not say colon looked enlarged, just said it was very full. PHP Code:
Hope you are all having a good weekend. Thanks for being here for me to talk to, it really helps. |
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What was the supplement your son picked up at the pet shop? Quote:
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Something in this food may be causing the gas?? His stomach may not agree with one or more ingredients in it? Cats have sensitive stomachs. Quote:
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I know money is a concern but I would definately be going to get a second opinion. You can get your files and xray sent over to the new vet free of charge. And then the new vet can evaluate the situation with a new set of eyes.
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Khari Mom to Libby (4 Month Old Kitten) 🐈 |
#12
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Thank you again Khari When he had the liver problem 2 years agao the vet put him on a very low protein diet and unfortunately I can't remember the name of the medication they had him taking. I am going to call her in the morning to see if they will do the enema. I'd be miserable too if I was that full! Thank you for taking the time to help and give me options and hope! I will also ask again about the ultrasound. I have another vet in mind for the second opinion and will also check with them tomorrow.
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What meds did they give him? I am glad to hear he feels better but once those meds wear off he may not b/c I am leary that the vet is not treating him for the right problem. HTML Code:
Did the vet not recommend something for you to use to help your kitty pass a stool? HTML Code:
when was the last time he passed a normal stool?The last couple of days when he did pass a stool was there a fair amount? Were the stools soft or hard. Small (pellet like)? HTML Code:
What was the supplement your son picked up at the pet shop? Have a great day and thanks again for your help. |
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