Liver failure in cats

[DarthKitty]

I am hoping someone can give me some advice regarding my 13 year old cat. Last Spring he was diagnosed as diabetic and now receives insulin injections(2 units) twice a day. Two weeks ago he had a vomiting episode and was not acting like his normal self. After going to the vet and getting test results his ALT showed high, 1712. He was given medication with hopes to lower the number. He had another vomiting episode on the 17th of this month and was re-checked again. Now his ALT is 2791. The vet advised he is in liver failure and all we can do is supportive care. I am devestated. He goes to the vet every few days to get fluids and medication. I am also giving him Milk Thistle at home. He is eating normal, and I am also feeding him baby food. Does anyone have experience with this? Am I fighting a losing battle? I’m trying everything I can to save my boy!!

[Jade59]

I completely understand that helpless feeling.  Sadly, we all do including you.  I'm so sorry for your loss of Henry.  I went back into your old posts, and he must of passed many months after your last post about him in Apr of 2015.  

Even though I'm married, I, alone, was forced to be the one to decide when to make that final loving decision for my girl...and back in 2014, I needed help.

The link below will take you to the incredible website I used when Jade was nearing the end of her life.  Please don't panic, as I'm not saying in any way it's Oscar's time, I just want to share with you how helpful the page "Quality of Life" was in guiding me for exactly the right time in Jade's case.  I can't remember but I may of mentioned when you were here last, that we did use their services.  It was one of the best decisions I have ever made.  

I hope it helps.  

http://www.homepeteuthanasia.com/is-it-time/quality-of-life

[DarthKitty]

Henry passed away February 2016. The vet went in to do exploratory surgery and found cancerl in intestines.

[DarthKitty]

Whoops, my phone went crazy. They found cancer in intestines and there was nothing we could do. He came to from surgery long enough I could say goodbye to him, but I couldn’t let him suffer with vomiting and now confirmed cancer and staples in his stomach. I still miss him every single day!! I think it’s hard to lose any pet but it’s even harder to have to do it alone. I’m sorry you had to go through that.  I don’t have any kids so my cats are my kiddos!

[Jade59]

Rebecca, hi, I remember you.  I'm sorry to read your boy is so ill.  You have a lot of kitties, who's sick?  I don't have experience with liver failure either (Jade had kidney), just lending my support.  

[Piparskeggr]

Miss Teia Honey has mild thyroid, liver and kidney trouble. From what I have read on the web, it looks like all we can do is give them as good a life as we can, while we still have them.

Our Miss Hildiekatt had diabetes, and we gave her insulin for over 2 years, until the vet found an aggressive intestinal lymphoma, had to give her the Final Kindness after a few days of trying to see if chemo would work.

That is sometimes all we can do for them, make their remaining time as pleasant, pain and loving free as possible.

[DarthKitty]

Hey Jade! I remember you as well! Knock on wood I have not had anyone sick since losing Henry just about two years ago. I’ve just been sick to my stomach about Oscar because I know the day is coming where I have to let him go, as well. I hope all is well your way! I’m so glad to see some familiar faces on here!!

[DarthKitty]

That seems to be about the answer I am finding everywhere. Sometimes when the vet gives you an answer you didn’t want to hear you always hope they are wrong. I am trying to make sure he enjoy his last days and when the time comes I will say goodbye. I just hate feeling so helpless.

[Piparskeggr]

We do what we can to make things right, but sometimes it is not what we want in the end.

Bless you for giving him as good a life as you did.

[opus88]

I'm so sorry to read about your boy, we're not vets here only pet parents unfortunately I don't know much about liver failure. If I find a good link I will add it later
I will ask though, have you checked closely on the label of the baby food to make very sure it doesn't have onions as one ingredient...many do and this I believe can cause liver failure in cats

[opus88]

You can try this for more info. Pet education.com click on cat articles, than scroll down to Liver and Pancreas, than Liver Disease: symptoms and diagnosis

[DarthKitty]

I’ve found a lot of you pet parents know a lot of information so I figured what better place to ask. This is my first run in with liver failure, so I’ve been doing a lot of reading and of course there are SO many different suggestions. I did not know that about the baby food, I will have to check the label...luckily he has only had very little and it was after the diagnosis. I have been boiling chicken and he is eating that as well as his normal food. He has been getting fluid and medication about every other day at the vet. Thank you so much for the link!! I will have to read it!