Liver problems.. very nervous

laylacat

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jun 9, 2010
Messages
58
Purraise
0
Well, this just isn't a good year for Layla. Liver ALT was 134 in early November, and after re-test, 181. Took blood again today for a third re-test after about 3 1/2 weeks on Denosyl (which we are continuing).

When they tried to take the blood, the site swelled up and started bleeding... so, they only got a tiny bit of blood, enough for the ALT test but nothing else. Vet said that this type of reaction (he called it a hematoma) probably indicates that whatever is wrong with her liver has gotten worse.

He threw around the words cirrhosis, hepatitis, and, of course, the scary big C word.

She is not showing any signs of anything in daily life.. eating like a champ, drinking, peeing and pooping.. no jaundice or anything like that.. even vomiting much less than is usual for her.

I know that 100 is considered high normal for ALT, but the vet seems very concerned even with the slightly elevated levels and now this bleeding during the blood test. Any experience, advice, words of wisdom or comfort, etc.? I'm really getting nervous now.
 

darlili

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Oct 16, 2007
Messages
3,310
Purraise
14
Location
Illinois
I've no experience with this, but am sending prayers your way....
 

carolina

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Nov 17, 2008
Messages
14,759
Purraise
215
Location
Corinth, TX
Has she been in any medications lately? There are some that considerably elevate the ALT levels... Some antibiotics are known for that - Tylan is one, for example...
By the way, this might be helpful to you... http://wvc.omnibooksonline.com/data/.../2005_V146.pdf
Also, it is strange that your vet prescribed you Clindamycin for the UTI after finding out she had elevated ALT levels - that is a no-no, it is an antibiotic that is to be avoided by cats with liver problems as it directly affects and can damage the liver when liver problems already exists. There are other safer options for UTIs available out there... But, too late now... But I would consider changing vets FWIW.
Luckily, she is not presenting other symptoms, so for what I hear/read, as long as the kitty is not presenting symptoms of liver disease, there is no reason to worry too much... Just keep retesting periodically to see how the levels are changing. Apparently there are cats that have a naturally hight ALT number...
If I were you, I would consider a second opinion... I don't know, I like working with 2 vets when I have a seemly complicated issue. Just something to consider.
 

sharky

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Jan 30, 2005
Messages
27,231
Purraise
38
Carolina noted one drug that artificially inflates liver Enzymes... There are many.. Even the common pred and metro/flagyl can...

I think it may be time to see a specialist or at least a second vet
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5

laylacat

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jun 9, 2010
Messages
58
Purraise
0
The Clindamycin was prescribed for the possible inner ear infection primarily (though it was used to clean up the persistent UTI as well). Very interesting that it could cause or augment liver problems.. I'm going to mention that to my vet tomorrow when he calls me with the bloodwork results.

Perhaps you're right, a second opinion wouldn't be a bad thing at this point. I think I'd go that route before going to a specialist, though, as I really don't know if I can put her through the long time, overnight stays, etc. again..

He originally wasn't so concerned about the ALT until they tried to draw blood and she bled so profusely.. ugh, I'm still weak in the knees thinking about it..

Thing is, her appetite is GOOD, very good in fact, and she is also vomiting a lot less than she was when we were going through the whole food switch.. less than once a week (whereas before she'd vomit sometimes 3 or 4 times a week).. which is the opposite of what you'd typically see with liver failure..

Thanks so much for your help..
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #6

laylacat

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jun 9, 2010
Messages
58
Purraise
0
Well, ALT came back better today - the number was lower (he said "almost normal"), which means the Denosyl is working. He said it's possible that the bleeding was from a) her having old, fragile veins or b) a blood clotting problem.

We will do more blood work in two weeks, to give the site time to heal... will keep up with the Denosyl as well.

He said that this is definitely good news that the Denosyl is working. But I'm still weak in the knees from that blood test! (Hence why I couldn't go through with vet school...)

Layla is acting 100% normal so I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that things stay that way.
 
Top