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- May 1, 2012
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Hello, I’m new here. I found this site researching information for my 20 year old cat Squeaky. I am hoping someone can provide me with some answers.
A week ago he suddenly became very ill. He was disoriented, wouldn’t eat and was very lethargic. I rushed him to the ER and his blood work revealed high levels of bilirubin and liver counts. They gave him fluids and I took him to his regular vet the next day. X-rays & Ultrasound were performed, which revealed inflammation, bile ducts blockage and an enlarged liver. He became jaundiced very quickly and is having trouble breathing. He was given Convenia (antibiotics) and Ursodiol (to unblock the bile ducts) and fluids. The next day he took a turn for the worst and another X-ray revealed a significant enlargement of the liver and fluid retention. He was given Lasix (diuretic) and the vet said he would not live much longer than 48 hours. I suspected a reaction to one of the drugs.
That was last Friday and Squeaky is still with us. We continue to give him fluids every day and he drinks water on his own, but will not eat. His breathing improved and he became perkier. Today, for the first time in a week he ate about a tablespoon of chicken baby food (a suggestion from a friend who gives that to her cat when she is ill). I was so happy that he started eating again. However, a few hours later, he went downhill again. He is having difficulty breathing and is very lethargic. I’m afraid his condition has worsened because of the food. Perhaps his bile ducts are still blocked? I’m afraid to give him the Ursodiol again because of the reaction he had the first time.
I’ve had three different vets say there is not much we can do for him due to his age. I do not want to give up on him. He is a fighter and has been through some tough times in his life, all of which he beat the odds.
Are these bouts of doing better and then doing worse normal for this disease? Does it get better even if he isn’t eating? I have so many questions. Any suggestions or thoughts on his condition would be much appreciated.
A week ago he suddenly became very ill. He was disoriented, wouldn’t eat and was very lethargic. I rushed him to the ER and his blood work revealed high levels of bilirubin and liver counts. They gave him fluids and I took him to his regular vet the next day. X-rays & Ultrasound were performed, which revealed inflammation, bile ducts blockage and an enlarged liver. He became jaundiced very quickly and is having trouble breathing. He was given Convenia (antibiotics) and Ursodiol (to unblock the bile ducts) and fluids. The next day he took a turn for the worst and another X-ray revealed a significant enlargement of the liver and fluid retention. He was given Lasix (diuretic) and the vet said he would not live much longer than 48 hours. I suspected a reaction to one of the drugs.
That was last Friday and Squeaky is still with us. We continue to give him fluids every day and he drinks water on his own, but will not eat. His breathing improved and he became perkier. Today, for the first time in a week he ate about a tablespoon of chicken baby food (a suggestion from a friend who gives that to her cat when she is ill). I was so happy that he started eating again. However, a few hours later, he went downhill again. He is having difficulty breathing and is very lethargic. I’m afraid his condition has worsened because of the food. Perhaps his bile ducts are still blocked? I’m afraid to give him the Ursodiol again because of the reaction he had the first time.
I’ve had three different vets say there is not much we can do for him due to his age. I do not want to give up on him. He is a fighter and has been through some tough times in his life, all of which he beat the odds.
Are these bouts of doing better and then doing worse normal for this disease? Does it get better even if he isn’t eating? I have so many questions. Any suggestions or thoughts on his condition would be much appreciated.
