Well, it's still crazy here. We thought we'd seen the worst of the virus over by last friday. We picked up additional needles etc. from the Vet's to keep giving the sickest kitten fluids. She was doing pretty well, started eating and drinking on her own finaly, but then, out of nowhere she started having seziors! Bad ones, 2 -3-4 at a time. We brought her back to the vet again, where she stayed for 2 days. They discovered that she has a Liver Shunt (sp?) They were able to stop her seziors with medication, but that cat has to be on antibiotics, anti-sezior and a low potein diet for the rest of her life. There is surgery but it's thousands of dollars so we have to wait, probably for a year or two.
My question is this: How can you keep a CAT on a LOW PROTEIN diet? They gave us some food we can give her but it's 1.50$ a can, and she can't live on that alone. If she isn't getting protein wouldn't we have to suppliment it somehow?? They said she would not grow very much larger then she is now because of this, and that it wouldn't hurt her any other way, but it just seems odd.
Amazing how it's never just one thing at a time isn't it?
UPDATE + question about LOW protein diet?
Re: UPDATE + question about LOW protein diet?
Did your vet tell you it was a porto-systemic liver shunt, and if so, is it intra or extra-hepatic? If extrahepatic, it is wise to get this surgically corrected, prividing the kitten is old enough to withstand anesthesia and recovery. The sooner this is corrected during a young age, the better the outcome. This is a serious condition that requires treatment, monitoring, and surgical correction when a kitten suffers repeated problems (vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, pain, etc)
The diet your vet prescribed is the protein your kitten requires. It is designed to contain low amounts of protein and/or phosphorus, to help the liver filter properly, and to prevent fatty deposits on the liver. The diet may be a bit expensive but it is necessary for your kitten's condition and for preventing liver degeneration. Follow your vet's advice about the prescribed diet, because NO commercial, store brand or other diet is formulated properly with the correct protein ratios for your kitten's condition.
Depending on the severity of the condition at this point, kitten's age, and your vet's assessment of her condition, he/she would probably allow you to make payment arrangements, providing you put a reasonable deposit on the surgery cost. Discuss that with your vet.
The diet your vet prescribed is the protein your kitten requires. It is designed to contain low amounts of protein and/or phosphorus, to help the liver filter properly, and to prevent fatty deposits on the liver. The diet may be a bit expensive but it is necessary for your kitten's condition and for preventing liver degeneration. Follow your vet's advice about the prescribed diet, because NO commercial, store brand or other diet is formulated properly with the correct protein ratios for your kitten's condition.
Depending on the severity of the condition at this point, kitten's age, and your vet's assessment of her condition, he/she would probably allow you to make payment arrangements, providing you put a reasonable deposit on the surgery cost. Discuss that with your vet.
..........Traci