Mitzi has fatty liver, what to expect?

[Maggsy]

Her last bw was Oct 9th, she's eating well with the help of Mirta atm and I've been able to get the denamarin into her at least every other day, I give her milk thistle extract on days that I miss, she doesn't mind this in her food ...
I thought that if she seems alright then it would be okay to wait for a month until follow up bw, so next visit will be around 10th November, unless anything changes

 

[FeebysOwner]

This sounds good! I hope nothing changes, at least not to the negative.

 

[FeralHearts]

How are you doing?

 

[Maggsy]

All good so far, Mitzi is eating well seems her normal self, it's been a week since her last mirtza.
, I've managed to give her the Denamarin 4 days in a row, think I'm getting the hang of it now
she doesn't fight me so much now that I can do the deed quickly

I'll be seeing her new vet next week when she's had 30 doses but I won't take her on first visit,
I want to meet this Dr and have a chat with him about Mitzi's previous treatment and see what he's like,
I'll be taking last months bw etc paperwork with me so he can explain what it means

I'll be updating after the visit unless anything happens before then, thanks so much for your interest, it means a lot to know that there's always someone who will listen and not judge, I live alone, no family and Mitzi is my world

 

[FeralHearts]

I'm so very glad to read this! Go Mitzi! Go Mitzi's Mom! Good job!

It does take time to get into the swing of it all - especially with a monster pill like that one is. When I first saw it - I was - I fully admit - intimidated and wondered how the helk I was going to do it... but we do what we need to do and it can take some time.

I understand completely - mine are my world too. Living on your own makes it harder in some ways as no one to share the chores with - in other ways - easier LOL. We only have one boss at home... they are furry.

Yes, please keep us updated. Thinking of you both and will continue to send good vibes and prayers for continued recovery.

 

[Maggsy]

I spoke too soon and have no idea what's going on, she was fine up until Sat morning when she wouldn't eat her breakfast at 8am, I left it for awhile, then took it away at 10am and tried her with a bit of cooked chicken which she's never refused before but she wasn't interested so I gave her a tiny bit of Mirtza and of course she ate and followed me around all day begging for more, I'm trying to keep her calories at approx 200 which may be too high for weight loss but I don't want her gaining more weight either as she's obese
(stage 9 on the chart)
Anyway, this morning she again refused to eat, I gave her a treat which she took without a problem so I'm thinking that she may be unwell in some way that I can't see, she looks okay but is walking very slow and stiff jointed ...
should I give her more Mirtza? I don't want to force her to eat if she's feeling ill but I also can't risk her not eating and further damaging her liver, altho' I haven't been given a definite diagnosis of her problem ...
The new vet is not available until next Monday (I made apptmnt) I guess I could see a different Dr but this one was recommended as being experienced with cats

 

[FeebysOwner]

Do you have anti-nausea meds for Mitzi? Mirtza has an anti-emetic effect, but it often is not enough. Many cats are given both to ward off making a cat nauseous cat feel hungry, as that can be a terrible combination.

 

[FeralHearts]

I spoke too soon and have no idea what's going on, she was fine up until Sat morning when she wouldn't eat her breakfast at 8am, I left it for awhile, then took it away at 10am and tried her with a bit of cooked chicken which she's never refused before but she wasn't interested so I gave her a tiny bit of Mirtza and of course she ate and followed me around all day begging for more,

*hugs* It might go back and forth for a little while. You guys have been through a lot.

I'm trying to keep her calories at approx 200 which may be too high for weight loss but I don't want her gaining more weight either as she's obese
(stage 9 on the chart)

My Mia was unfortunately an obese girl. It's a balancing act and a struggle - and it take a fair bit of time. Weight loss should be slow.

Right now deal with Mitzi's immediate issue. The weight will come. I'm not saying feed her a million calories, but make that a secondary thought - kind of like an aside. You can work on that slowly while you deal with the other concerns. It really is a slow and steady thing with weight. It can take a lot of time once they reach that large size.

Do you weigh her weekly? (I think you might.) If not I would start this way and chart it, even on a notepad. This way you can keep an eye if she is dropping too fast - which is a major issue. I weight mine in the morning before their breakfast. I keep it consistent.

Anyway, this morning she again refused to eat, I gave her a treat which she took without a problem so I'm thinking that she may be unwell in some way that I can't see, she looks okay but is walking very slow and stiff jointed ...
should I give her more Mirtza? I don't want to force her to eat if she's feeling ill but I also can't risk her not eating and further damaging her liver, altho' I haven't been given a definite diagnosis of her problem ...

What FeebysOwner said is something to look at. It was something I had to learn the hard way and something, like all thing with cats, is hard as helk to see. Nauseousness. That will make them not want to eat as well. It's a vicious circle.

How is her drinking? Litter box habits still okay?

The new vet is not available until next Monday (I made apptmnt) I guess I could see a different Dr but this one was recommended as being experienced with cats

Maybe call and see if they think some anti-nausea meds might be worth a try.

Do you have anti-nausea meds for Mitzi? Mirtza has an anti-emetic effect, but it often is not enough. Many cats are given both to ward off making a cat nauseous cat feel hungry, as that can be a terrible combination.

Yes it can be a terrible combo. I remember this one with Mia and if it hadn't been for you all I wouldn't have know to go back and ask her Doctor as it was never mentioned as a possibility. One of the many errors the old vets looking after her made.

 

[Maggsy]

I have no anti nausea meds, I asked her vet about them and she said they weren't needed as Mitzi wasn't throwing up altho' she did say that they'd given her an anti nausea injection while she was with them overnight, she gave me no follow up advice at all except to emphasise the need for weight loss, no meds except the antibiotics and one lousy mirtazapine pill ( cut into 1/4's )...
this is why I'm changing vets, my immediate problem is getting her to eat, she will take treats but I know these aren't good for her, she also ate just a few bits of dry food this am and is drinking water as usual,
Are there any home cures I can try? I've searched thru' posts on here and already applying tips but may have missed something?

Also, I'm ashamed to say this but according to my scales Mitzi has actually gained a little wight, vet scales said 7.4kg, my bathroom scales say 7.8kg, I hope that mine are wrong and vet's more precise ...

Should I give her the denamarin while she's this way? only 4 more to go till end of packet?

 

[FeebysOwner]

I don't know why some vets think that if a cat is not vomiting that they aren't nauseous. The anti-nausea injection was likely Cerenia and it only lasts about 24 hours. So, if not followed up by oral meds, or more injections, it isn't much good.

When you say 'next Monday' are you referring to tomorrow or a week from then? Unless you can get some kind of food down her, this can't wait to be addressed for a whole other week, IMO. There are human OTC anti-nausea meds, such as Pepcid (famotidine), but translating them to cat dosages could be tricky without some guidance. However, I have read that 5mg every 12-24 hours is acceptable.

Right now, feed her anything - and I mean anything - that she will eat. Has someone shared with you this TCS article?
How To Get Your Cat To Start Eating Again - TheCatSite

The main thing is to get food into her, right now it doesn't matter if it is nutritionally complete for a cat.

 

[Maggsy]

I don't know why some vets think that if a cat is not vomiting that they aren't nauseous. The anti-nausea injection was likely Cerenia and it only lasts about 24 hours. So, if not followed up by oral meds, or more injections, it isn't much good.

When you say 'next Monday' are you referring to tomorrow or a week from then? Unless you can get some kind of food down her, this can't wait to be addressed for a whole other week, IMO. There are human OTC anti-nausea meds, such as Pepcid (famotidine), but translating them to cat dosages could be tricky without some guidance. However, I have read that 5mg every 12-24 hours is acceptable.

Right now, feed her anything - and I mean anything - that she will eat. Has someone shared with you this TCS article?
How To Get Your Cat To Start Eating Again - TheCatSite

The main thing is to get food into her, right now it doesn't matter if it is nutritionally complete for a cat.

yes, it's next Monday, the vet I want to see is away this week, I'll try pepcid today and if she doesn't improve then I'll take her to any vet I can get to who's available tomorrow

 

[FeralHearts]

I have no anti nausea meds, I asked her vet about them and she said they weren't needed as Mitzi wasn't throwing up

The number of times I've heard this from a vet makes me want to scream.

Also, I'm ashamed to say this but according to my scales Mitzi has actually gained a little wight, vet scales said 7.4kg, my bathroom scales say 7.8kg, I hope that mine are wrong and vet's more precise ...

If you aren't weighing her the same way each time it will certainly fluctuate. Even if you are it could off a bit based on scales - and how steady things are.

Remember too the different scales make a difference. Weigh her at home before you go to the vets as well. Mine always had a remarkable difference between the two. (The vets and mine.) In fact once or twice there's was way far off the mark I actually said as much.

Should I give her the denamarin while she's this way? only 4 more to go till end of packet?

I vote yes to this, and get some more to protect her liver as best as you can. Remember that's given without food. Be sure to let the vets know she's on it as well. Braveheart did not go without it to keep protecting the liver. I have another one on it too.

I don't know why some vets think that if a cat is not vomiting that they aren't nauseous.

I've sadly met a lot of them. I don't understand either.

Right now, feed her anything - and I mean anything - that she will eat.

The main thing is to get food into her, right now it doesn't matter if it is nutritionally complete for a cat.

I second this. Just the usual nothing with garlic, no onions etc etc etc. Plain. At one point I cooked plain ground turkey for Braveheart and she ate it.

yes, it's next Monday, the vet I want to see is away this week, I'll try pepcid today and if she doesn't improve then I'll take her to any vet I can get to who's available tomorrow

How stressed is she going to the vets?

 

[Maggsy]

it seems that I can't get Famotidine or pepcid without a script here, are there any OTC brands that will help, thanks for any and all advice, I take it all on board ...
I just handfed her a little tuna (in water) then half hour later, she took 10gr of cooked chicken breast
( I freeze cooked chicken in ice cube trays, then put in a bag in freezer as treats)
I'll try this every hour just to get food into her,
it looks like I may have to take her into vet sooner than I thought, I'm very worried as my resources are limited and I feel that without a confirmed diagnosis it's all guesswork, trial and error, so if after vet visit there is nothing definite and they'll supply me with meds then I'll treat her at home and limit unnecessary tests, she hates being in the carrier, screams like a banshee all the time she's in there, maybe that's how she lost her voice? ( she squeaks and squeals rather than meowing)
Of course I'll still get bloodwork each month or when advised and get her checked regularly but I won't be subjecting her to intrusive tests unless vet feels absolutely necessary

 

[FeebysOwner]

it seems that I can't get Famotidine or pepcid without a script here, are there any OTC brands that will help

Those meds are not OTC for humans in Australia?

 

[Maggsy]

I'm also adding a bit of this paste to the tidbits, she didn't like this at first but now will accept it if I don't overdo it, I'm hoping it will help as it's very high calorie, what do you think, I don't want to give her anything which will affect her liver?

Nutrigel 200g - Cats & Kittens 200gms

( this is what helps me get the denamarin into her)

 

[Maggsy]

Those meds are not OTC for humans in Australia?

Apparently not altho' it's confusing, I'm about to go to chemist warehouse now, I looked online and various sites say it's pharmacy only medicine, which is fine but gov site says it script only, I'll find out when I get to store

 

[FeebysOwner]

I'm also adding a bit of this paste to the tidbits, she didn't like this at first but now will accept it if I don't overdo it, I'm hoping it will help as it's very high calorie, what do you think, I don't want to give her anything which will affect her liver? Nutrigel 200g - Cats & Kittens 200gms

I have no way of knowing that. It seems like it would be just fine, especially for a short period of time, and if it gets her to eating other things. You could call the company hotline and see if they can provide any more detail.

It's hard for me to do much investigative work on this because it is not a product offered in the US, although I think it is pretty much an equivalent to what we have here.

Did you see this and notice any concerns?
Troy Nutripet 200 g - Troy Animal Healthcare - Australia

 

[Maggsy]

I don't know why some vets think that if a cat is not vomiting that they aren't nauseous. The anti-nausea injection was likely Cerenia and it only lasts about 24 hours. So, if not followed up by oral meds, or more injections, it isn't much good.

When you say 'next Monday' are you referring to tomorrow or a week from then? Unless you can get some kind of food down her, this can't wait to be addressed for a whole other week, IMO. There are human OTC anti-nausea meds, such as Pepcid (famotidine), but translating them to cat dosages could be tricky without some guidance. However, I have read that 5mg every 12-24 hours is acceptable.

Well, just got back and Famotidine/Pepcid are script only ...
Anyway, the chemist told me that Zantaz (Raniditine) is similar, same dosages and just takes longer to work ...
these tablets are 150mg so useless I guess, never mind, the way things are going I'll probably need them myself before to long, lol
I'll keep searching

 

[FeralHearts]

My only thoughts here atm is regarding her stress level getting her to the docs. I would be to ask the vet about gabapentin for her. It's given an hour or two before the vet visit. All of mine get it before the vet visit - else badness ensues. From what I understand it's fairly gentle on them and it does really help with the stress.

Stress, like with people, contributes to all illness not going great - so might be a good idea to ask.

Not sure the cost there but here it's pretty cheap too.

 

[Maggsy]

I left out about 30gr of dry food overnight just in case she decided she was hungry, she ate it all then
this morning she woke me at 6am, I thought she just wanted attention but half hour later she started gagging, I got up quickly to open back door to let her out but was too late, she spewed all over the kitchen floor, poor thing had been trying to tell me and I ignored her

I can't get into the new vet today but they double booked an apptmt for me tomorrow as the other patient just needs a vaccine
so hopefully Mitzi won't need to be in carrier too long, the vet explained that they're not allowed to give meds without seeing the patient and suggested Fellway spray which won't interfere with blood tests if they're needed ...
I'll just keep on with feeding her small amounts hourly, she had some more tuna and chicken and 2 tube treats so far today
She seems to want to eat but just can't?