Liver disease in a cat.

Dr. Marie replied:

Oh, I'm really sorry to hear that Ruby is not doing well.

Liver disease is so tricky with cats because there are so many different kinds of things that can affect the liver and unfortunately it is often hard to get an exact diagnosis without doing a lot of expensive tests.

I have a few questions for you before I type out a more complete answer:

1. Did your vet give you an idea of what kind of liver disease this is likely to be? i.e. did he or she give you a name like fatty liver, cholangiohepatitis or anything like that?

2. Is she jaundiced? (i.e. do you see any yellow tinge in the whites of her eyes or anywhere else?)

3. Is she eating anything at all?

Thanks.


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Dr. Marie replied:

This is a really tough situation. When a cat is this sick and jaundiced their best chance of survival is with intensive intravenous fluid therapy at the hospital. The fluids given directly into the vein will help to flush any toxins out of the liver. They will also flush toxins out of the bloodstream that are there because the liver is not detoxifying them. Intravenous fluids are way better than the subcutaneous normasol that you are giving.

The vomiting is likely because the liver is sick and not because of the medication.

If you can't afford having Ruby hospitalized, perhaps you could talk to your vet about having a feeding tube put in her? Often, in cats with liver disease, if we can get some liquid food (such as clinicare) into the stomach in really small amounts via a feeding tube they can recover. Liver disease is frustrating because in order for the liver to repair, a cat needs to eat. But, the cats don't want to eat because the liver makes them feel sick. So, sometimes a feeding tube will help.

You may also want to talk to your vet about continuing with the metaclopramide. This is an anti-nausea medication and may help her to be able to keep her food down.

I totally understand how you feel about having too much information and not being able to take it all in. You should be able to call your vet's office and ask if you can get a little bit more clarification on what could be going on with your cat. You can also mention that she is not doing well and ask if there is anything they can suggest to help.

Regarding milk thistle...this is a good supplement to help to support the liver. But, milk thistle and other liver supporting drugs are not miracle drugs. They may help slightly, but they're unlikely to cure liver disease on their own.

The essential oils burning in the house are not likely to be harmful to Ruby. Birds can have issues with anything that puts scents or chemicals into the air, but it's unlikely that this has caused Ruby's problem.

If it is at all possible to have Ruby admitted to the hospital this is her best chance at surviving this. This list of resources may possibly help, if finances are tight.

I really hope things look up soon!