Siamese dying of Hapatic Lipidosis

I'm new and I wanted to tell you about my cat. His name is Ho-Chi and he is only 8 years old. While he was at my sister's house for 3 months, he stopped eating for some reason. To make a long story short, the vet can't find anything wrong with him except his liver is failing because he is starving himself. He want me to put him down!!!!!! Has anyone else struggled with this disease? I'm not ready to give up yet....but if Ho-Chi is ready, then I must. I forced-fed him today and he did eat a very little bit on his own for my daughter. He has been sitting under my bed all day and I have to pull him out to feed him or make him drink. I don't know what to do! Should I keep fighting for his life, or should I end his life?

How sad ... Sorry I do not have any experience in that area.. but I do know after reading so many inspirational stories on this site, I decided to fight for my kitten and not put him down... and after a few weeks,, and a lot of care and meds.. he is a happy healthy little man.... Hang in there!

My beloved Zipper lost his battle with hepatic lipidosis just recently. He went to the vet to get neutered, and when he got home, he stopped eating. It took one week for Zipper to die from this disease. Lot's of cats have lived through it, with aggressive treatment. One thing to do would be to take him to the vet and have him insert a feeding tube, it is the best way of force feeding IMO. Zipper was only a year old when his life was taken away, he was just starting his life. Usually, hepatic lipidosis is a secondary disease, but it doesn't have to be. I would continue to force feed him, if it is done four times a day, some cats pull through, but have to be force fed for weeks until they fully recover.

Please keep us updated on your baby, prayers and healing vibes coming your way.

I am sorry to hear Ho-Chi is dealing with this. It's impossible for us to know if he's beyond help, but I sure would suggest getting a second opinion, as unless I missed it, your vet did not suggest a feeding tube?

Here is an article on this that I'd recommend you reading:Article by Hissy on Hepatic Lipidosis and if you feel Ho Chi still has the spirit and will to live, get a second opinion asap, get a feeding tube if the vet feels there is a chance, and get going with aggressive treatment.

If there are just details you have not yet shared, whereby your vet has said things are so far gone there is no hope of recovery, then I wish you the strength to help Ho-Chi, and to let him go.

Fight in aggressively, don't give in and chances are you might win this one,. Is the cat's ears, eyes or gums yellow? If not then you still have a good chance with this.

Don't give up on Ho Chi! Cats stop eating for lots of reasons. He probably missed you and/or didn't like your sister's house and got stressed out about it. Once they start on a cycle of not eating, it's hard for them to *start* eating.
There are a lot of people here who can give you great advice on it. Don't wait to start force feeding and have a tube put in if necessary.
He may die anyway, but you will KNOW you did whatever you could to keep him and you just may save his life.
Good luck!!!! Hugs to you and Ho Chi.

Dev

This thread has a lot of information about that disease:

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=36533&

The latter parts of the thread were lost in the crash but the cat did make it past this terrible disease. I thought it might help if you were able to read what another person went through and you might get some ideas on how to get Ho-Chi to eat. Please keep us updated.

I have been force feeding Hochi and since he has been home with me and getting food in him, he seems to be feeling better. He is purring a lot more, talking to me and grooming himself. He even comes downstairs at night (he was always most active at night). He even played a little bit and took a tiny bite of his food on his own! I don't think that he is suffering or is ready to give up. I am taking him to another vet today for a second opinion.

Barb

Barb that is good news. Listen to your cat daily and look at his quality of life. If you can beat this thing it is only by attacking it aggressively. If your cat's interior of the ears is turning yellow, or the gums, and tongue and eyes are yellow than the disease has quickly advanced and it may be to late. Look at it as having a teenager with anorexia. If you can support the body with adequate nutrition you can turn this disease around. When I wrote that article I got in touch with people who have successfully fought this off. Most of them sprang for the added expense of having the feeding tube placed, but some did it manually on their own. It's just that right now, the body is in control of the cat. The body is essentially feeding on itself (as gross as that sounds) and because of that the cat feels food is not important. I talked to one woman who is desparation took her son's hamster out of the cage and put it in an exerciser and set it near her cat that was just lying around all day unable to move. The sight of the critter excited the cat stirred up the prey drive and the cat started to eat. The cat beat the disease.

Good luck- there is lots of support here should you need it

Let us know what the second vet says, glad to hear Hochi was a little perkier last night!

We just got back from the second Vet and he said that I am doing the right thing with force-feeding him. Since Hochi seems to be doing better since he's been home and getting some food, that he looks too good to give up. He thinks he has a chance. So we came home with a larger syringe and cans of Hills l/d food. I have to make him eat 1 1/2 cans per day! That is going to be a challenge for me. Please wish me luck!!!! We are going to have blood work done in 10 days to see if there is any improvement in his liver number.

Thanks for all your happy thoughts and prayers!!! Keep 'em comin'!

Barb

Oh happy day!!
I'm so glad Hochi is doing better. I'll keep thinking of him and sending him good thoughts.
Dev

glad to hear a little good news sending more prayers

so pleased to hear that Hochi is feeling a little better

sending lots of ((((get well vibes)))) to Hochi from me and my boys!!!

I'm sending lots of get well vibes for Hochi!

I just wanted to let you all know that I just got back from the vet. Hochi's liver just couldn't get better and he had to be put down. Thank you for all your prayers. I miss him already. He was the sweetest, most affectionate cat I ever had.

Barb

You must be feeling devastated after all you tried to do. I am so sorry that it ended this way.

I am very sorry for your loss. Hochi RIP sweety.

Ahh, I am so sorry.It is an aggressive disease and sometimes you can get ahead of it. This was sadly not a time where you could.

I will put this in Crossing the Bridge and light a candle for Hochi,

Originally Posted by Barbi

I just wanted to let you all know that I just got back from the vet. Hochi's liver just couldn't get better and he had to be put down. Thank you for all your prayers. I miss him already. He was the sweetest, most affectionate cat I ever had.

Barb

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I am so so so very sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you in a big way. I am currently fighting for my Charlie's life from anorexia. It's up and down, day by day. I'm sending all my prayers to you Barbi.