Liver problem?

[Lougle]

My cat has been losing weight quite rapidly (1.1kg in 14 months, intentional, then 0.8kg in 4 months, unintentional).

Fasting bloods showed low reticulocytes and low neutrophils. Repeat fasting bloods showed low-normal neutrophils, normal reticulocytes but slightly high cholesterol.

A practice vet emailed to say:

"Her neutrophils and platelets are reading normal now. Her neutrophils are very very slightly on the lower end of the range, but still within normal limits.
So, given that her kidneys and thyroid levels are fine, but her cholesterol is up a little - this MAY indicate an issue with her liver or gall bladder as a cuase of her continued weight loss.
She may require imaging of her abdomen as the next step....She may need a repeat consultation to reweigh her and re-examine her abdomen around her liver area."

What sort of condition might they be looking for (hyperthyroidism was the first suspicion but negative)?

How much is imaging likely to be?

She is insured but she's 13 so as well as the £115 excess, we have to pay 20% of the vet bills, so we'd like to be prepared! The blood tests have been £330 so far.

Hopeful bump!

Bumping for Puss x

I can only tell you our prices, they have been discounted bc my daughter works for an "umbrella" vets practice. Our cat is under investigation for liver and bile duct (still no answer as she is borderline for everything). She is on 4 different tablets too. New bloods are being taken end of May so can't help with diagnostics.

Lab Full Profile SA - £393.75 , Discount £75.60
Lab Liver Monitor - £56.52, discount £28.26 x2
Lab Ref Results Evaluation - £60.00, discount £15.00 x3
Cons Referral - £275.00, Discount £68.75
Cons Referral Internal - £114.31, Discount £28.57
Lab FelV/FIV SNAP - £50.28, Discount £25.14
LabPLI SNAP - £35.72
Feline TLI - £101.52
..... Loads of more tests

Chemo tablets
Prednisone (steroids) - £6.84, Discount £6.41
Cerenia (anti nausea) - £10.22, Discount £10.22
Various antibiotics, approx £20 a course x3

Several urine sample kits at £5 each

Stopping here in case mn doesn't post this.

She is actually under a feline specialist at a vet hospital rather than our own vet as they have the lab kit etc

The receipt looks like how I would imagine an american hospital would look, even disposable gloves are priced and listed, as are catheters and the anaesthetic and pre sedation.

Op Ref Imaging Report Fee - £92.88
Scan Abdo - £278.63

I'm not going to list anymore as I am frightening myself. She has been ongoing since September and I have paid the bill each visit. Think the highest in one go was £500 so its been doable and not scary.

She's had multiple bloods.
Ultrasound of liver
Aspiration of liver (fine needle through abdomen)
Biopsy of liver through surgical incision
Internal lab work to view biopsy
Sending biopsy to outside lab

Two chemo courses
Several months steroids
Three antibiotics
Ongoing anti nausea tablets
Appetite stimulants

As I said, everything is borderline and not really showing what is wrong. Even the specialist is getting frustrated. Her next bloods will be the last as she is struggling with side effects from the drugs. Either she's cured or we go the palliative route imo. Poor love is done.

Anyway. I hope you go through with it esp since you have insurance. Even if they find something it is usually manageable long term.

Eek! I still have to find 20% and the insurance caps out at £7000

I'm sorry if I scared you. We are only ongoing bc she is borderline on all tests. Yours might give a definitive answer first time and be reasonably cheap. Good luck

I've declined the specialist vet referral at this stage. The local vet invited me in for a (free) re-weigh, examination and discussion of bloods. He feels that it's sensible to allow her free access to food over the next month, then a re-weigh and check over in one month.

Thanks for updating as I have been wondering what happened. Hopefully she is eating well and retaining her weight. Fingers crossed she's fine