Chessy - possible end stage liver disease

Here's my 14 year old soul kitty Chessy. He's the best cat I've ever had and super sweet and cuddly. I love him so much.



He was diagnosed with kidney disease in August and liver disease, possibly lymphoma, in January. He has been getting pepcid ac and subqs for the kidney disease and prednisolone for the liver disease and had been doing really well for months. He has had diarrhea since about January every few days but the vet said we can't do much about that. Pumpkin and slippery elm didn't help.

A few days ago he started vomiting again and the vet said she thinks the liver disease is progressing and to try Cerenia. That seemed to help with the vomiting mostly but now he is having diarrhea a few times a day and my husband has seen a little blood in it twice. His appetite is normal and he seems happy. He does have less energy and the last two days he hasn't slept in our bed or come to greet me when I get home like he has always done.

What do you guys think? One of the possible symptoms of liver disease is seizures and I don't want to wait until he has those. He has cried a few times before having diarrhea but otherwise he seems happy and not in pain, just more tired.

My 18 year old boy Indy had liver disease. It was very sad to see. He was a beautiful long haired boy. When I took him to the vet and they diagnosed him it was too late to do anything. He was sleeping more but still eating and seemed happy. After a few months he started vomiting more often and got skinnier and skinnier. When he started vomiting blood I knew it was time to end his suffering. It was one of the worst days of my life. I cried for days.

Just love and pamper your guy as long and as much as you can. I believe you will know when it is time to say good-bye. Best wishes to you. 

Thanks for your response. I'm sorry about your Indy. I've read in a couple places that cats with liver disease seem to eat until the end.

There is a supplement called Denamarin that may help.  My vet recommended it when one of my kitties had fatty liver.  It isn't a 'cure' but it may give your kitty a little more quality time.  It is a supplement that contains SamE and milk thistle.

Do you think that supplement might help near the end? I read that it's best for early to mid stage liver disease. Thanks for the suggestion

Oh no, poor Chessy... and you, you've been so much with your kitties this year! Liver disease is one thing I've not had to deal with yet, although I'll admit it scares the crap out of me. I always worry about my kitties when they won't eat for a couple of days (read: freak out).

Thanks! Although this is breaking my heart with Chessy, I'm so glad that we didn't lose Mia in December and that she's doing so well now.

Chessy has been eating less and seems very uncomfortable. He cries before having diarrhea and sometimes doesn't make it to the box. His eyes are also sad and I think he wants to give up even though he is trying to be a good boy and hang on. We have decided to have him PTS at home on Monday morning.
I slept on the couch downstairs with him last night and will do so until Monday. He likes to be on a soft blanket on the chair next to the couch.

Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear this

and that Chessy not be in pain these next couple of days.

Oh no I am so sorry to hear of this. So glad you are staying by his side during his time of need. Sending you hugs.      

I am so sorry.  You have done everything possible.  I am glad he won't have to make one more visit to what is for all kitties, the dreaded vet.

Thinking of you both right now

Thank you. I'm going to miss him so so much.

I know Just enjoy him as much as you can today, live a lifetime in this one day. Today is a gift that we don't always get with our babies. It doesn't feel like it right now though, I know. I hope he's not in so much pain today.

I am so sorry. I know how hard it is to say goodbye to your dear gtienf/child. My thoughts are with you.

Chessy was really restless today and didn't want to cuddle with us much but we mostly stayed in the same room as him. I had a dose of buprenex left over from Mia's surgery so we gave him that in case he's in any pain. I also did a paw print and saved some of his hair. He got to eat his favorite foods - chicken, egg, and a little pizza crust. I wish the weather had been nice because he likes to look out the window but it rained all day.

Thank you for your thoughts.

He probably didn't want to cuddle because of the pain.
He's coming to the end and he knows it but it doesn't mean he loves you any less. Be brave and stong got him. You can cry afterwards.
Best wishes.

Thinking of you and Chessy today

LotsofFur said:

Thinking of you and Chessy today

Click to expand...

Ditto. Have been thinking of you guys since this morning.

Thank you so much. Today was so much harder than I thought it would be and I knew it would be very hard. After Chessy was gone, Mia laid right next to him for a minute, and she never does that. I can tell she misses him too.