help, 12 year old cat diagnosed with hepatitis

The whole story is...

A few weeks ago, my cat started having diarrhea, so we started feeding my cat oatmeal mixed with tuna, after which it stopped. Then I left the country, and a few days after my cat started to lose her appetite for dried food, so she was fed canned food, tuna, and chicken (everything that is her favorite). Last weekend she stopped eating completely, refusing everything, even cat treats. She was still acting normally, cleaning herself and greeting my dad in the morning. Then her diarrhea returned, she still wasn't eating, and at my urging was finally taken to the vet.

I'm don't know everything the vet said because I wasn't there in person, but apparently he said her symptoms all show hepatitis, and she might have gotten the virus long ago. He gave her a fluid shot and an antibiotic shot, and after the visit she started to eat a little canned food again. He also said we could hospitalize her, but it would just extend her life and there's no real cure. She is not really improving after the vet visit and is lethargic. It seems like everyone is kind of like, she's an old cat, it's natural... but I can't even believe what is happening... I won't even be back for 2 months. I can't stop crying and I just don't know what to do.

I have no experience with this, so I can't give any advice. I hope you have a vet you have confidence in. I'm really sorry your cat is so sick. Twelve isn't that old. It has to be very hard to take in.

Robin

Are you sure that it's hepatitis your cat has and not Hepatic Lipidosis (fatty liver)? If so it is treatable in early stages. Hepatic lipidosis is caused by a cat not eating which is why it's super important to get your cat to the vet and start force feeding right away when your cat won't eat. This can come on very quickly.

I don't know much about hepatitis in cats but I did some quick reading about it and aparently there are several different causes, bacterial and viral. Hepatitis basically just means inflammation of the liver. There is no hepatitis virus in cats but it could be a result of FIP which is caused by the corona virus. Unfortunately there is no treatment for FIP and the death rate is 100%. According to what I found there are treatments for some bacterial causes of hepatitis.

Did your cat have blood work done? What does the vet think the cause is? What's the plan for her treatment? Is she on antibiotics? If she's not eating or drinking properly she has to get nutrients and fluids in her. I'd take her back to the vet for more fluids or ask him to teach you how to do it and get a bag to do it at home. It's not hard. That should at least make her feel a bit better. Not getting fluids and nutrients will of course make her very weak and sick by itself. The lethargy could be due to, or made worse by the lack of eating and drinking. Your family can try to force feed her and if they can afford it have a feeding tube "installed" (I can't think of the proper word). They can also give her some Nutrical with a syringe several times a day as a supplement. If she will drink try feeding her kitten formula.

12 is not that old but it's not young either and unfortunately this may just be too much for her old body. Do what's best for her that will cause her the least amount of suffering. If she has to be taken to the vet to let her go that is best for her. You have given her a good life for a long time.
Take care of yourself

I'm very sorry that your kitty is sick, particularly when you're away. I had to take my 16-year-old boy to the vet today. He was lethargic and wasn't eating. I thought he might have a bad tooth, but the vet realized that he was jaundiced (hard for a pet-owner to tell with a yellow/green-eyed cat!) and did blood work which suggested that he has hepatitis. That's not a great diagnosis but it's better than liver cancer. He's in the veterinary hospital right now, receiving intravenous nourishment and vitamins, and antibiotics. I don't have any word of wisdom for you, but I wanted you to know that I understand how you're feeling and my thoughts are with you and your kitty. Karen

Hi Karen b,

Just took my Russy to the vet today and was told exactly what you were told.  Hepatitis, but unsure without further testing, x-rays and ultrasound, whether it might be a tumor on his liver causing the problem.  I flipped out.  Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think Hepatitis!  I jus thought he'd had a bad reaction to my changing his food!  In view of the mounting charges, I chose to have Russy home tonight, for me to think about things.  Russy is 16 and he came to me as a stray that many years ago.  I am wondering how your kitty did with treatment, or what did you decide to do?