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#1
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Cat with liver problems (long)
Hi All,
We've only just found this newsgroup from searching google groups looking for information on cats with liver problems. We just took out 10 year old male desexed cat to the vet last Thursday due to an abcess on his ear that was causing his face to puff up. He was prescribed Clavulox antibiotics to help with the infection. Whilst at the vet, my wife mentioned that he always seems to be hungry recently, and despite increasing his food (now two sachets of wet food per day instead of one) he has lost some weight (5.3kg in mid-April - 4.9kg now). The vet asked a few questions then checked his throat area looking for an enlarged thyroid and also looked for signs of jaundice, suspecting hyperthyroidism - couldn't see anything so suggested a basic blood test for $A40 which we happily agreed to for peace of mind. A couple of hours later, the vet rang us to say that Henri has problems with his liver, and that they need to do more blood work. The first blood test results were as follows: ALKP = 157 U/L - reference range 14-111 = HIGH ALT = 878 U/L - reference range 12-130 = VERY HIGH UREA = 13.89 mmol/l - reference range 5.71-12.85 = HIGH CREA = 352 umol/l - reference range 71-212 = VERY HIGH TBIL = 47 umol/l - reference range 0-15 = VERY HIGH TP = 85 g/l - reference range 57-89 = NORMAL (just) globulins = 54 g/l - reference range 28-51 = slightly HIGH This apparently provides evidence of liver & kidney disease that takes priority over checking T4 for hyperthyroidism. Next blood tests were Complete Blood Count - that basically show his white/blood cells are normal. Final set of blood tests show that ALB, AMYL, Ca & PHOS are in the middle of the NORMAL range CHOL = 10.79 mmol/l - reference range = 1.68-5.81 = VERY HIGH GLU = 3.59 mmol/l - reference range = 4.22-8.06 - slightly LOW. His urine specific gravity is 1.023 with some evidence of particulates and bilirubin but no red/white blood cells in the urine. He has also tested negative for FIV. Apparently hemolytic disease causing jaundice, diabetes causing weight loss despite normal appetite have been ruled out, as have leukemia & mcyoplasma hemofelis. The vet is suggesting the most probably causes of liver problems are neoplasia (cancer), hepatic lipidosis, cholangitis, cholangiohepatitis, FIP or amyloidosis, and is suggesting biopsy or fine needle aspirates of the liver, preferably with ultrasound guidance to differentiate causes. Most of the above suggest that a sympton of the cat not eating, or having other noticable signs like the coat being in poor condition, however, as mentioned, Henri appears fit & healthy - he's just always hungry! Has anyone seen a similar condition in their cat? Thanks for reading, -- Paul, Julie & Henri. |
#2
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To followup already - we've ready of other's success with using herbs
to assist in liver function, such as dandelion & milk thistle seed - has anyone else tried holistic medicine? On Mon, 16 May 2005 06:06:42 UTC, "Paul Smedley" wrote: Hi All, We've only just found this newsgroup from searching google groups looking for information on cats with liver problems. We just took out 10 year old male desexed cat to the vet last Thursday due to an abcess on his ear that was causing his face to puff up. He was prescribed Clavulox antibiotics to help with the infection. Whilst at the vet, my wife mentioned that he always seems to be hungry recently, and despite increasing his food (now two sachets of wet food per day instead of one) he has lost some weight (5.3kg in mid-April - 4.9kg now). The vet asked a few questions then checked his throat area looking for an enlarged thyroid and also looked for signs of jaundice, suspecting hyperthyroidism - couldn't see anything so suggested a basic blood test for $A40 which we happily agreed to for peace of mind. A couple of hours later, the vet rang us to say that Henri has problems with his liver, and that they need to do more blood work. The first blood test results were as follows: ALKP = 157 U/L - reference range 14-111 = HIGH ALT = 878 U/L - reference range 12-130 = VERY HIGH UREA = 13.89 mmol/l - reference range 5.71-12.85 = HIGH CREA = 352 umol/l - reference range 71-212 = VERY HIGH TBIL = 47 umol/l - reference range 0-15 = VERY HIGH TP = 85 g/l - reference range 57-89 = NORMAL (just) globulins = 54 g/l - reference range 28-51 = slightly HIGH This apparently provides evidence of liver & kidney disease that takes priority over checking T4 for hyperthyroidism. Next blood tests were Complete Blood Count - that basically show his white/blood cells are normal. Final set of blood tests show that ALB, AMYL, Ca & PHOS are in the middle of the NORMAL range CHOL = 10.79 mmol/l - reference range = 1.68-5.81 = VERY HIGH GLU = 3.59 mmol/l - reference range = 4.22-8.06 - slightly LOW. His urine specific gravity is 1.023 with some evidence of particulates and bilirubin but no red/white blood cells in the urine. He has also tested negative for FIV. Apparently hemolytic disease causing jaundice, diabetes causing weight loss despite normal appetite have been ruled out, as have leukemia & mcyoplasma hemofelis. The vet is suggesting the most probably causes of liver problems are neoplasia (cancer), hepatic lipidosis, cholangitis, cholangiohepatitis, FIP or amyloidosis, and is suggesting biopsy or fine needle aspirates of the liver, preferably with ultrasound guidance to differentiate causes. Most of the above suggest that a sympton of the cat not eating, or having other noticable signs like the coat being in poor condition, however, as mentioned, Henri appears fit & healthy - he's just always hungry! Has anyone seen a similar condition in their cat? Thanks for reading, -- |
#3
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"Paul Smedley" wrote in message news:K0vd2l7kiMNz-pn2-92lw2Y2h3Ycv@study... Hi All, We've only just found this newsgroup from searching google groups looking for information on cats with liver problems. We just took out 10 year old male desexed cat to the vet last Thursday due to an abcess on his ear that was causing his face to puff up. He was prescribed Clavulox antibiotics to help with the infection. Whilst at the vet, my wife mentioned that he always seems to be hungry recently, and despite increasing his food (now two sachets of wet food per day instead of one) he has lost some weight (5.3kg in mid-April - 4.9kg now). The vet asked a few questions then checked his throat area looking for an enlarged thyroid and also looked for signs of jaundice, suspecting hyperthyroidism - couldn't see anything so suggested a basic blood test for $A40 which we happily agreed to for peace of mind. A couple of hours later, the vet rang us to say that Henri has problems with his liver, and that they need to do more blood work. The first blood test results were as follows: ALKP = 157 U/L - reference range 14-111 = HIGH ALT = 878 U/L - reference range 12-130 = VERY HIGH UREA = 13.89 mmol/l - reference range 5.71-12.85 = HIGH CREA = 352 umol/l - reference range 71-212 = VERY HIGH TBIL = 47 umol/l - reference range 0-15 = VERY HIGH TP = 85 g/l - reference range 57-89 = NORMAL (just) globulins = 54 g/l - reference range 28-51 = slightly HIGH This apparently provides evidence of liver & kidney disease that takes priority over checking T4 for hyperthyroidism. Next blood tests were Complete Blood Count - that basically show his white/blood cells are normal. Final set of blood tests show that ALB, AMYL, Ca & PHOS are in the middle of the NORMAL range CHOL = 10.79 mmol/l - reference range = 1.68-5.81 = VERY HIGH GLU = 3.59 mmol/l - reference range = 4.22-8.06 - slightly LOW. His urine specific gravity is 1.023 with some evidence of particulates and bilirubin but no red/white blood cells in the urine. He has also tested negative for FIV. Apparently hemolytic disease causing jaundice, diabetes causing weight loss despite normal appetite have been ruled out, as have leukemia & mcyoplasma hemofelis. The vet is suggesting the most probably causes of liver problems are neoplasia (cancer), hepatic lipidosis, cholangitis, cholangiohepatitis, FIP or amyloidosis, and is suggesting biopsy or fine needle aspirates of the liver, preferably with ultrasound guidance to differentiate causes. Most of the above suggest that a sympton of the cat not eating, or having other noticable signs like the coat being in poor condition, however, as mentioned, Henri appears fit & healthy - he's just always hungry! Has anyone seen a similar condition in their cat? Thanks for reading, -- Paul, Julie & Henri. |
#4
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"Paul Smedley" wrote in message news:K0vd2l7kiMNz-pn2-92lw2Y2h3Ycv@study... Hi All, We've only just found this newsgroup from searching google groups looking for information on cats with liver problems. We just took out 10 year old male desexed cat to the vet last Thursday due to an abcess on his ear that was causing his face to puff up. He was prescribed Clavulox antibiotics to help with the infection. Whilst at the vet, my wife mentioned that he always seems to be hungry recently, and despite increasing his food (now two sachets of wet food per day instead of one) he has lost some weight (5.3kg in mid-April - 4.9kg now). The vet asked a few questions then checked his throat area looking for an enlarged thyroid and also looked for signs of jaundice, suspecting hyperthyroidism - couldn't see anything so suggested a basic blood test for $A40 which we happily agreed to for peace of mind. A couple of hours later, the vet rang us to say that Henri has problems with his liver, and that they need to do more blood work. The first blood test results were as follows: ALKP = 157 U/L - reference range 14-111 = HIGH ALT = 878 U/L - reference range 12-130 = VERY HIGH UREA = 13.89 mmol/l - reference range 5.71-12.85 = HIGH CREA = 352 umol/l - reference range 71-212 = VERY HIGH TBIL = 47 umol/l - reference range 0-15 = VERY HIGH TP = 85 g/l - reference range 57-89 = NORMAL (just) globulins = 54 g/l - reference range 28-51 = slightly HIGH This apparently provides evidence of liver & kidney disease that takes priority over checking T4 for hyperthyroidism. Next blood tests were Complete Blood Count - that basically show his white/blood cells are normal. Final set of blood tests show that ALB, AMYL, Ca & PHOS are in the middle of the NORMAL range CHOL = 10.79 mmol/l - reference range = 1.68-5.81 = VERY HIGH GLU = 3.59 mmol/l - reference range = 4.22-8.06 - slightly LOW. His urine specific gravity is 1.023 with some evidence of particulates and bilirubin but no red/white blood cells in the urine. He has also tested negative for FIV. Apparently hemolytic disease causing jaundice, diabetes causing weight loss despite normal appetite have been ruled out, as have leukemia & mcyoplasma hemofelis. The vet is suggesting the most probably causes of liver problems are neoplasia (cancer), hepatic lipidosis, cholangitis, cholangiohepatitis, FIP or amyloidosis, and is suggesting biopsy or fine needle aspirates of the liver, preferably with ultrasound guidance to differentiate causes. Most of the above suggest that a sympton of the cat not eating, or having other noticable signs like the coat being in poor condition, however, as mentioned, Henri appears fit & healthy - he's just always hungry! Has anyone seen a similar condition in their cat? Thanks for reading, -- Paul, Julie & Henri. I"d get the biopsy. YOu just really can't tell anything without it and just treating a bazillion possibilities which could end up much more stressful and expensive all the way around. |
#5
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Have them check for hyperthyroidism. Then see about the biopsy. Any time a
cat is sick from anything the readings from there blood work gets thrown out of whack. Older cats have higher chances of having a hyperthyroid and becoming diabetic. Watch for any changes in your cats behavior he is getting older and so his body is not as resilient as when he was young. Shadow Walker "Paul Smedley" wrote in message news:K0vd2l7kiMNz-pn2-92lw2Y2h3Ycv@study... Hi All, We've only just found this newsgroup from searching google groups looking for information on cats with liver problems. We just took out 10 year old male desexed cat to the vet last Thursday due to an abcess on his ear that was causing his face to puff up. He was prescribed Clavulox antibiotics to help with the infection. Whilst at the vet, my wife mentioned that he always seems to be hungry recently, and despite increasing his food (now two sachets of wet food per day instead of one) he has lost some weight (5.3kg in mid-April - 4.9kg now). The vet asked a few questions then checked his throat area looking for an enlarged thyroid and also looked for signs of jaundice, suspecting hyperthyroidism - couldn't see anything so suggested a basic blood test for $A40 which we happily agreed to for peace of mind. A couple of hours later, the vet rang us to say that Henri has problems with his liver, and that they need to do more blood work. The first blood test results were as follows: ALKP = 157 U/L - reference range 14-111 = HIGH ALT = 878 U/L - reference range 12-130 = VERY HIGH UREA = 13.89 mmol/l - reference range 5.71-12.85 = HIGH CREA = 352 umol/l - reference range 71-212 = VERY HIGH TBIL = 47 umol/l - reference range 0-15 = VERY HIGH TP = 85 g/l - reference range 57-89 = NORMAL (just) globulins = 54 g/l - reference range 28-51 = slightly HIGH This apparently provides evidence of liver & kidney disease that takes priority over checking T4 for hyperthyroidism. Next blood tests were Complete Blood Count - that basically show his white/blood cells are normal. Final set of blood tests show that ALB, AMYL, Ca & PHOS are in the middle of the NORMAL range CHOL = 10.79 mmol/l - reference range = 1.68-5.81 = VERY HIGH GLU = 3.59 mmol/l - reference range = 4.22-8.06 - slightly LOW. His urine specific gravity is 1.023 with some evidence of particulates and bilirubin but no red/white blood cells in the urine. He has also tested negative for FIV. Apparently hemolytic disease causing jaundice, diabetes causing weight loss despite normal appetite have been ruled out, as have leukemia & mcyoplasma hemofelis. The vet is suggesting the most probably causes of liver problems are neoplasia (cancer), hepatic lipidosis, cholangitis, cholangiohepatitis, FIP or amyloidosis, and is suggesting biopsy or fine needle aspirates of the liver, preferably with ultrasound guidance to differentiate causes. Most of the above suggest that a sympton of the cat not eating, or having other noticable signs like the coat being in poor condition, however, as mentioned, Henri appears fit & healthy - he's just always hungry! Has anyone seen a similar condition in their cat? Thanks for reading, -- Paul, Julie & Henri. |
#6
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"Paul Smedley" wrote in part:
: The vet is suggesting the most probably causes of liver problems are : neoplasia (cancer), hepatic lipidosis, cholangitis, : cholangiohepatitis, FIP or amyloidosis, and is suggesting biopsy or : fine needle aspirates of the liver, preferably with ultrasound : guidance to differentiate causes. I agree with the others that you should get your cat tested for hyperthyroidism. You just need a T4 blood test. Do you by any chance use cedar litter for your cat's litter box? My cat had liver problems, and his vet and the specialist I took him to both recommended invasive, expensive procedures to identify the cause of the problems. While I was doing my own research, I found out that cedar is toxic and can cause liver problems in animals. I changed the litter to clay right away, and while I haven't gotten any blood tests for him since then, he's gained weight and had more energy since I stopped using cedar. Lois -- www.wordsweave.com |
#7
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HI All,
On Thu, 19 May 2005 22:16:42 UTC, "Lois" wrote: "Paul Smedley" wrote in part: : The vet is suggesting the most probably causes of liver problems are : neoplasia (cancer), hepatic lipidosis, cholangitis, : cholangiohepatitis, FIP or amyloidosis, and is suggesting biopsy or : fine needle aspirates of the liver, preferably with ultrasound : guidance to differentiate causes. I agree with the others that you should get your cat tested for hyperthyroidism. You just need a T4 blood test. We're now waiting on the results of the T4 test - hopefully will get them tonight or tomorrow. Henri had the ultrasound and biopsies on Wednesday. When we picked him up on Wednesday night we were very concerned, as the ultrasound showed that his liver is enlarged, his kidney is shrunked, and his spleen is also enlarged. Based on this the vet was extremely concerned. However, the biopsy results came back last night, and he is clear of cancer. Whilst he was knocked out rom the general anaesthetic we had the vet take more blood to do the T4 test. Whilst it's not cancer - he does still have the vets stumped due to signs of multiple organs failing. We have Henri on some herbal remedies and have eliminated dry food from his diet (his kidneys need all the help they can get). Do you by any chance use cedar litter for your cat's litter box? My cat had liver problems, and his vet and the specialist I took him to both recommended invasive, expensive procedures to identify the cause of the problems. While I was doing my own research, I found out that cedar is toxic and can cause liver problems in animals. I changed the litter to clay right away, and while I haven't gotten any blood tests for him since then, he's gained weight and had more energy since I stopped using cedar. Cedar is pretty rare in Australia And he never used to use a litter box as he's always had access to outside. We're now keeping him in at night and he's using a clay-type litter in his tray. Thanks to all for their replies. Cheers, Paul, Julie & Henri. |
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