Hello everyone. My 10 y/o male Riley has always been a large cat (not just weight), and very social. He has been on a very appropriately paced diet, was healthy, no issues. A few weeks back, he and our other two cats had the sniffles. They were eating much less as a result, but still acting normally. Saturday, Riley started hiding in the basement, and refused food. Monday morning we took him in to the vet immediately as he began looking jaundiced. He was diagnosed with hepatic lipidosis, and was started on IV fluids. He was force fed a little and then we put in an NG tube and he has been tolerating his feeds well -- up to 75% of his goal intake so far with no vomiting or etc. He has only shown interest in food twice... once Monday night, he nibbled on some food, and this morning he ate a few cat treats. His ultrasound and bloodwork did not reveal anything indicative of a primary cause. He has been stable since Monday, but there was not much change in his liver function (his billirubin was 17!). He is alert and talkative, albeit cranky from his tube. The vet said "any other cat would be laying on his side, not talking, walking, etc," but his chance of recovery is a 50/50 shot. If he is still stable tomorrow, he will get the more sturdy tube in his neck and come home by the weekend. Riley is truly special to me, and I'm incredibly anxious, if anyone could share their experiences with HL I would be so grateful. Attached is a picture of my boy because he is just too darn cute!
