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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Cat with liver problems

17 replies

Willowkins · 04/01/2023 23:36

I took our younger cat (15½) to the vet yesterday because she has lost a lot of weight since her last check up.
She's always been chunky (rescue cat) and we've slowly been helping her to lose weight but this seemed different somehow.
The vet said she'd lost muscle rather than fat this time and it was almost certainly her liver - in which case it would be kinder to PTS but there was a blood test to confirm. I decided to get the test done because I need to be sure before making that decision.
The vet gave her tablets to improve symptoms and she's almost like her old self again but we've been warned that it won't last. Honestly, I can't imagine life without her.

Does anyone have any experience of this?

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Allergictoironing · 05/01/2023 08:02

Going through similar right now, except with kidneys and a much younger rescue cat. A big boy, but 6kg of pure lean muscle plus he's very long in the body - was classed as "perfect" in April.

Boycat lost a load of weight over the summer and was drinking a lot, so took him to the vet in November. He'd lost over a kg. CKD, stage 3/4, special renal food will hopefully keep him going a few months longer but unlikely to last until the summer. He's only 8.

There have been a few behavior changes, but they are mostly things like him being more vocal and demanding.

Willowkins · 05/01/2023 17:55

Thanks for sharing Allergictoironing. He sounds amazing. I'd love a pic but only if you want to. Our girl was 6kg when we got her and she was so fat she swept the floor when she walked. We realised that she'd been fed every time she miaowed when what she really wanted was a cuddle. There's definite clearance between floor and tummy now.

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Allergictoironing · 05/01/2023 20:25

Here you go - a couple of pics from better days.

One showing him in all his panther-like splendor, the other showing not an ounce of brains behind those beautiful eyes.

Willowkins · 06/01/2023 02:51

He's gorgeous. My other cat is a black cat (MN name = Blanket because she's very affectionate).
Sadly the news from the vet is not good. Severe liver failure confirmed, liver cancer suspected. We've been giving her all her favourite foods to make her last days happy and comfortable. I'll try to post a pic.

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Willowkins · 06/01/2023 03:05

This is a rare photo of them settling down together. Poorlycat is on the left.

Cat with liver problems
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sausage767 · 06/01/2023 03:26

Our beloved black boy was diagnosed with a tumour on his liver, about 10 years ago. Different vets recommended pts, invasive surgery etc. We opted to go for a softer approach, he had regular monthly injections of a steroid intended to keep the tumour from growing, and vitamins to boost his general health.

He went on quite happily, lost quite a bit of weight. He went from a chunky panther to a slender kitty over the years. But still ate well and could easily jump up onto the kitchen bench.

Over a couple of months he started to decline, but in the end it was quite rapid, over a day or two. We called the vet to do a home visit in the morning and he went to sleep in my husbands arms, at the age of 19.

We we’re very glad we close the route we did, not subjecting him to painful traumatic surgery, but also that we sought other opinions and found a vet who managed his health very well. In the last few years, his vet said she wasn’t entirely convinced it even was a tumour, but there was something wrong with his liver, evidenced by jaundice and blood tests. There was no way to make sure without surgery, which we didn’t want to do.

I’ve learned vet science is very inexact a lot of the time, they’re just making an educated guess.

Allergictoironing · 06/01/2023 07:51

@sausage767 in complete agreement about the "softer" approach. Mostly the more invasive procedures will only extend the cat's life a bit longer, which is more for the benefit of the slave rather than for the cat.

My vet did discuss possible treatments for CKD, but I could tell that she was reluctant to do them mostly e.g. she pointed out that a biopsy would just confirm what we already knew, and she seemed relieved that I said I draw the line at tube feeding or tube/injections for fluids. We're just going for renal diet, lots of love & attention, keep him warm & comfortable.

Decision is easy for me, as Boycat is a very dear soul but he does have "issues". The boss vet at the practice (even more marvelous than the one dealing with his CKD, if that's possible) refers to him as borderline special needs - I would argue that the "borderline" doesn't need to be there! He's a very fearful cat, and emotionally very dependent on me, and the distress it would cause him to have any of these more extreme measures taken would remove his quality of life.

He's back for a check on Monday as he's lost a bit more weight, getting a bit weak in his back legs now, drinking even more, coat looking "spikier", and a few minor behavior changes. Don't think this is "it" yet, but just want a peace of mind check as when the vet says "just a couple of weeks now" he will come off the strict renal diet and I'll spoil him rotten with all his favorite treats then have him PTS - better a week too soon than a day too late!

sausage767 · 06/01/2023 08:47

@Allergictoironing we also called our Ziggy Boycat… sending love and positive thoughts to you ❤️

Willowkins · 06/01/2023 09:41

This is so helpful, thank you. I totally agree on the softer approach and really just doing what's in the best interests of the cat. I've listed out the pros and cons and one is that the vet said she felt lots of lumps so, together with the results of the blood test, this means that it's probably advanced. One of the big factors is that Poorlycat doesn't like to travel and cries while she's in the car plus she stress wees, poops and vomits in the carrier. So regular visits to the vet for monitoring and treatment would definitely decrease her quality of life. Plus she's 15½ so no matter what we did (further investigation, alternative treatment if it was available) might not extend her life by much anyway. I read up on what happens if left untreated and it's horrific. On the other hand we have a tiny hope that the vet is wrong. It's so hard to make this decision but I think PTS is the kindest option😥

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Willowkins · 06/01/2023 09:42

This is so helpful, thank you. I totally agree on the softer approach and really just doing what's in the best interests of the cat. I've listed out the pros and cons and one is that the vet said she felt lots of lumps so, together with the results of the blood test, this means that it's probably advanced. One of the big factors is that Poorlycat doesn't like to travel and cries while she's in the car plus she stress wees, poops and vomits in the carrier. So regular visits to the vet for monitoring and treatment would definitely decrease her quality of life. Plus she's 15½ so no matter what we did (further investigation, alternative treatment if it was available) might not extend her life by much anyway. I read up on what happens if left untreated and it's horrific. On the other hand we have a tiny hope that the vet is wrong. It's so hard to make this decision but I think PTS is the kindest option😥

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Willowkins · 06/01/2023 09:43

No idea why that posted twice

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Allergictoironing · 06/01/2023 18:55

You know your cat best, so should be the best judge of her quality of life - which is what my vet said to me about Boycat.

I think the biggest problem we will have is not allowing our emotions to get the better of our judgement on when that time will come. But I've seen too many animals suffering for too long before being PTS or (even worse IMO) dying from their condition, for me not to make the decision at the right time I think.

Willowkins · 06/01/2023 21:42

Thank you all. I got a final second opinion from another vet and his look of shock when he felt her tummy was the confirmation I needed. She passed peacefully and I think I did the right thing but we will miss her.

I'm hoping our other cat will adjust. She's 16½ with hyperthyroidism so very slinky but we've got her on the right medicine and she's stable.

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Allergictoironing · 06/01/2023 22:32

Oh, didn't expect it would be so soon 😢.

I hope you're OK, and the remaining cat is comforting you. You definitely did the right thing, especially if the 2nd vet agreed as well, as this way you can be sure she isn't suffering.

I am so very sorry for you, please accept a virtual hug from me.

Willowkins · 07/01/2023 01:32

I know Allergictoironing. I was hoping she'd have longer too, although the vet had warned us she might go down hill quickly. The medication they gave her (anti-sickness and pro-appetite) made her feel better while we waited for the results and even this morning she was enjoying her food, drinking and using the litter box almost back to normal and I didn't want to give up on her. This afternoon it just felt like she was losing focus and I knew in my heart she didn't have long.
I stayed while they gave the injection and she put her head on my arm and went very quickly.
The other cat seems a bit confused but she's getting lots of hugs.

Thanks for listening and I hope you have good news on Monday.

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Allergictoironing · 07/01/2023 09:30

When the time comes, my DSis is going to take the time off work to take both me and him to the vets, I will be there for the injection, and she will take me home as she knows I won't be safe to drive there let alone after.

As I said, Boycat isn't at that stage YET, though compared to where he was at his last routine MoT in April is shocking. If I go by the original estimate of 3-6 months, he should be with me for at least another month or two depending on progression. That's why I'm taking him in on Monday, have a bad feeling it's going a bit faster than we thought.

Willowkins · 07/01/2023 13:51

I understand and it's lovely that your sister will be there to support you too. Sending positive thoughts.

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