Test Results

[Newt]

Well, some of the test results are trickleing in. I had the new vet call the old vet and obtain his blood test results for them to look over.

--Low Sodium Chloride
Why would his salt level be low? Are there any recommendations to fix this? Doctor didn't say whether adding salt to his food would be good or bad.

--Slightly jaundice
Again, anything anyone can recommend? I think I read that this is due to him not getting enough food and water. More on that later.

--Anemia levels have changed. He was 23% on his first test, then 27% a week later, then 30% most recently. The doctor said this is good. What does this mean?

Newt stopped responding to the appetite stimulant, so I am now feeding him three times a day and marking it via a chart. The diet is:

1000mg L-Lysine (amino acids)
1 Tbl sp Energel (like Nutri-cal lots of calories)
1/2 Can Hills I/D or A/D

Yesterday his intake was:

18mg for breakfast
11mg for lunch
27mg for dinner

This amounted to almost 3/4 a can in 24 hours.

So far he has not gone #2 and very little #1 in his litter box, but he seems comfortable. He is alert and walking around the house, sometimes lethargic but not for long. He is not purring by himself often which means he is not in pain. Doctor wants to keep this up while we wait for the test results and check in with each other to see if he is doing better or worse.

Can anyone offer some advice on force feeding and how much? Last night he seemed almost stuffed, but he is not resisting too much which tells me he is hungry.

Thanks!

[Rheya]

Regarding the food, I don't think you are feeding nearly enough, especially with a liver condition. 3/4 can in 24 hours isn't alot, can you call the vet and ask about that right away? And is this Hepatic Lipidosis? If so, you really have to get agressive with feeding! Hematocrit levels, which when elevated, as indicated by your figures, is a good sign. This probably is what he meant by the anemia. I read your other posts, and only speaking from limited experience, but it sure doesn't sound like FIP. Were all the tests the other board members mentioned, done?

[Yzma]

I'm not an expert but if he is eating and seems to want to eat that's a good sign... But 3/4 of a can is still not a lot of food especially if it is hepatic lipodosis...

[Newt]

Thanks for the replies. The new vet did a panel of tests, two of which being FIPV and Coronavirus...not sure what else is being tested.

I am feeding him three times a day, 18CC per feeding except for dinner when he gets 24CC. Keep in mind this cat, at his peak, was no more than 8pds and is now 5.5pds so his tummy has shrunk. How much should I feed him? Also, he is constipated. He hasn't gone #2 in at least 2 days. What should I give? I'm afraid to feed him this morning because he is backed up.

[Rheya]

You should check out this post, another on Hepatic Lipidosis, please read it carefully. http://www.cathelp-online.com/phpBB2/vi ... php?t=1572 . You are not feeding him enough, he needs much more than that, your vet needs to tell you just how much, I would guess about 40 cc's or so three, maybe four times a day. If you don't feed the right amount and often enough, the liver will fail, this is so important!!!!

Please get your kitty back to the vet today, you cannot take a risk with constipation and not eating enough. He might be dehydrated and if you don't know it, this can be very very dangerous. The liver depends on good fluid replenishment to function properly. While you are there, make sure your vet understands how worried you are and tell him you want direct intructions on feeding!

[Newt]

Just called the vets office and spoke with a tech. Based on his weight and tolerance of the feeding (not vomiting) she said 24cc three times a day was good. Newt starts yacking a little around 20cc to 24cc. She said to make sure he is getting liquids as well. Consistency is the key, make sure it is at certain intervals every day.

She also said it would be okay at this point for him not to be going to the bathroom, but keep an eye out over the next day or two. Putting laxatone in with his food would not be bad since it has some more vitamine/minerals but that she would not be too concerned right now.

When I weighed him, it looks like he has put on 3 to 5 ounces. Hard to tell though since he has not gone to the bathroom.

[Traci]

Newt, can you post an update please? Have you increased his food amount? Any new test results in yet? Has he had a normal stool yet?

Keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers.......

[Newt]

Traci,

Last night we gave him some more Laxatone about 2 hours before we fed him his food. He went in and had a small BM that was normal in color/texture but a bit larger than a marble.

His nose is getting more and more stuffy. We are still feeding him 24cc three times a day, this is about all he wants and he does appear to be gaining weight.

What do you think of his test results? Is it possible he has some sort of allergy/sinus problem that has caused everything else?

[Julie B.]

Hi Newt,

I may be able to answer some of your questions:

Low sodium chloride- could be low intake or increased loss (vomiting or diarrhea) or diuretic therapy. In general sodium and choride should vary directly with one another.

Jaundice: Hemolysis (red blood cell destruction) due to immune, infectious causes, toxic causes, etc. Hepatic jaundice due to hepatitis, adverse drug reactions, neoplasia (lymphoma), hepatic lipidosis in cats, hepatic necrosis. Diseases with a hepatic component such as FIP or hyperthyroidism. Pancreatitis, interference with excretion of bilirubin. Any of these disease processes can cause jaundice or icterus.

Anemia (packed cell volume)- The reason your vet says the increase is good is that cats should have a packed cell volume of around 25-42 or so. Anything below 25 describes an anemic condition. Either your cat is improving in this regard, or is becoming dehydrated which can increase the PCV as well.

Good luck with you kitty.

[Newt]

Thank you Julie. How certain will these tests be in determining if he has FIP or Coronavirus? I have been told they are inaccurate and that even if he is positive, he may not have the disease at all.