Took my 8 yr old cat to the vet today and he's said that she has liver failure. Punky, my cat, has had a clean bill of health her whole life and has responded well to change as far as cats go. The first of June we moved into a new house and got a new dog. Punky wasn't pleased but I made sure that she got extra attention and toys. When I took her and her sister (Roxie) for their yearly check ups Punky weighed in at 19 pounds and I was advised to put her on a diet. So, I switched to the weight control Iams (i've always fed them Iams).
Last week we went on vacation from Wed thru Sunday. We had someone keep the dog but left Punky and Roxie with plenty of food, water, and several litter boxes. I thought this would be less stressful than boarding them considering all the changes in their lives recently. Sunday when we returned I noticed that Punky wasn't acting herself. I found her hiding in my closet and I picked her up and she was light as a feather! I started looking back and realized (hindsight being 20/20) that she hadn't been as friendly and had been keeping to herself for probably 2-3 weeks. Before this there wasn't any indication of a problem. This morning she was drinking water and even came out to roam around the house when our dog went outside for the day (the dog stays inside at night and when weather is bad).
But I made her a vet appointment anyway and while putting her in her carrier noticed her mouth was a pale yellowish color.
The vet says he has no way of telling how long its been going on or what might have caused it. Could she really have starved herself, causing liver damage, because we left her for 5 days? She's getting IV fluids and food and staying with the Vet until at least Friday. He suggested I not see her again today and come back tomorrow.
How can this happen so suddenly? I really can't look back and notice anything different until about 2 weeks ago, 3 at the absolute most. If she turns around, what do I do when she comes home to keep it from happening again?
I would do anything for my animals to keep them happy and healthy. I just don't know what to think....
Last week we went on vacation from Wed thru Sunday. We had someone keep the dog but left Punky and Roxie with plenty of food, water, and several litter boxes. I thought this would be less stressful than boarding them considering all the changes in their lives recently. Sunday when we returned I noticed that Punky wasn't acting herself. I found her hiding in my closet and I picked her up and she was light as a feather! I started looking back and realized (hindsight being 20/20) that she hadn't been as friendly and had been keeping to herself for probably 2-3 weeks. Before this there wasn't any indication of a problem. This morning she was drinking water and even came out to roam around the house when our dog went outside for the day (the dog stays inside at night and when weather is bad).
But I made her a vet appointment anyway and while putting her in her carrier noticed her mouth was a pale yellowish color.
The vet says he has no way of telling how long its been going on or what might have caused it. Could she really have starved herself, causing liver damage, because we left her for 5 days? She's getting IV fluids and food and staying with the Vet until at least Friday. He suggested I not see her again today and come back tomorrow.
How can this happen so suddenly? I really can't look back and notice anything different until about 2 weeks ago, 3 at the absolute most. If she turns around, what do I do when she comes home to keep it from happening again?
I would do anything for my animals to keep them happy and healthy. I just don't know what to think....