Feeding a cat with fatty liver.

Hi Dr. Marie,
I am in a bit of a muddy situation. My client changed vets for ONE of her cats, leaving the old vet after having a messy blowout. She hasn't had the new vet see the other cat yet and that is the cat i have a question about. REALLY uncomfortable to call the old vet now, since there is really bad blood between him and the client. Oy vey.

Tobie the cat is elderly with fatty liver disease. He has never eaten really well for the mom because she insists on giving him a brand that he doesn't care for as well as dry food. (I think I finally convinced her to stop with the dry.)

When i pet sit for him i mush up his canned food and warm it for him, which makes him eat it really really well. Also, i put the dry kibble away. He is on Ursodiol and daily antibiotic. She has flagyl if necessary for him.

Right now he is eating great, is very playful and purry. I am trying to do small meals several times a day but i am worried he ate a bit too much at breakfast, as his tummy is very noisy right now....doing the growly, pingy noises that gas or acid tummy makes.

His stool has been soft but formed and maybe his tummy is working on diarrhea right now. But i just wondered about HOW MUCH food I should be giving him each meal (he is the size of an average Birman)so that i don't over tax his liver and also if pepcid ac is allowable for him and if you think that might help keep his tummy calmer so that he can continue to eat well.

With his mom he never reaches an anorexic state, he always eats at least all the gravy and some dry food. He just doesn't like the slabs in the canned...but DOES like them when they are mushed up and warmed...which for some reason she is philosophically against doing for him.(Although she is coming around to buying a food with NO slabs, one that is all puree'd!)

He is not vomiting as long as he has no access to dry food. I have printed out info on fatty liver so she can read about dehydration, etc. I just want to keep his tummy comfortable but well fed...not sure if 3 heaping tablespoons of wet food per meal, 4 times a day might be too much....or ???
Any advice?
Thank you!
Lisa

Hi Dr. Marie!
Thank you for your reply. I agree that Tobie should be checked by the new vet as soon as my friend gets back into town. Tobie's tummy is not noisy now, so maybe we are at a good balance food-wise.

Mom will be back in two days and hopefully i can convince her to have him fully checked out.

Thank you again.
Lisa