Liver issues and viability of recovery?

 Returned home from work thursday evening to find my 14 year old manx lethargic and unable to stand. She had been absolutely fine without any changes in behavior the day before. Took her to the local animal hospital and had blood work done. Clean bill of health with the exception of all kindsa elevated liver ratings and white blood cell count.  She is the greatest cat ever and my love for her is without question but I was unwilling to pay the high cost of delving further into the diagnosis. Brought her home with antibiotics with the hopes that it is just an infection or inflammation. She was givin fluids at the hospital to relieve her dehydration. She was neither eating or drinking friday into saturday so I purchased the canned milk you would give kittens. Using an oral syrenge I have been "forcing" her to drink the milk and water in hopes of keeping her from starving/dehydrating before the antibiotics have a chance to do anything.  Roughly a couple tablespoons of each every few hours. She is still exceptionally fatigued and will not leave her nest. She made a short trip into the kitchen but her movement was a struggle. Im curious to know if the forum has an opinion on her prospects of recovery, or any recommendations. I want to give her every chance to pull through but If I am merely prolonging the inevitable then I would like to say goodbye before her quality of life becomes an issue. She doesnt seem to be in any pain and is combative (obviously) when I give her the pills.

Hi Redneckcatguy and welcome to TCS!

The bottom line - from which I'll start - is that you do not yet have a diagnosis.

You do have the external and internal symptoms of some problem....but, no more.

Members of the forum are not Vets (not that any Vet could provide a diagnosis based on what you know).

No one here can opine on the "chances" of her recovery.........except to say that all signs point to the opposite, unless the issue is first identified and then, if treatable, treated.

You said that you're "unwilling" to pursue a diagnosis....not "unable". Why are you unwilling or, did you mean "unable"?

There are a couple of things that I'd want you to know:

1. Liver tissue can regenerate, unlike that of other organs and there are treatment supplements to promote that healing/regrowth.
2. If she goes without food intake (milk & water excluded), she'll likely develop another (often fatal) liver condition. Unlike other animals and humans, cats cannot adequately metabolize body fat for energy...their livers will attempt to do this, but the result is only that the liver itself absorbs the fat ("fatty liver disease" or Hepatic Lipidosis) and can no longer function.

So, for "recommendations, begin immediately assist-feeding...small amounts of pureed food every two hours...do NOT squirt it straight down her throat, but into the sides of her mouth. The best food to use is this one from your Vet http://www.hillspet.com/products/pd-feline-ad-caninefeline-critical-care-canned.html  Before you start, watch this  If you can't get that food immediately, use some Friskies pate and blend it with water so that it can flow through the feeding syringe.

Recommendation two: pursue a diagnosis as soon as possible, beginning with a thorough conversation with a competent Veterinarian about the logical direction and steps that may be required. It is common for people to seek out a second opinion for difficult cases - and it's generally recommended in those cases to get the services of a cat-only Veterinarian (or of the small animal hospital of one's local Veterinary College).

I agree with White Shadow. If I were in your shoes I would want a diagnosis and prognosis from a vet I trusted before making any decisions, especially final ones.

 It was indicated by the 24 hour service that more extensive testing would be necessary to nail down the exact issue. A biopsy among other things were mentioned. With that being said that testing just isnt financially an option. I plan on taking her to the vet my family has used for years in the morning. If without the further testing the vet doesnt think a recovery is possible then I will cross that bridge with tears flowing. If the vet recommends staying the course then I will do everything I can to pamper my sick girl.

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/255539/need-help-with-my-cat-and-denamarin#post_3318325

I am sorry your cat is sick. I have been through something similar with my Muffin. There are various threads on the Health Forum about him. I have pasted the most recent thing I wrote about him in a thread to help someone else and the link is above. Have you considered an x-ray or a ct scan.