LisaK wrote:What he has is lipidosis. What's weird is he eats like a horse and has no history of anorexia. He was just tested for diabetes recently and will be again when he finishes the antibiotic. If a cat continues to eat well, does he get over this? I suppose having FIV makes it even more difficult, right? He will be getting milk thistle (Silymarin) and Felobite 2. What else can I do for him? What else do I ask the vet?
Well the good news of course, no cancer. But the bad news is that you must treat this agressively, and milk thistle, felobite alone isn't going to do it. Your vet probably wants to prescribe a high protein, high caloric diet to help regenerate the liver. The key essential therapy in hepatic lipidosis is proper diet, fluids, and antibiotics.
Diet: Preferrably Hill's A/D or Eukanuba Recovery, mixed with water (for tube feeding, forced feeding)
Fluids: You must ensure more than a usual amount of natural water intake daily, dehydration is one of the most common problems in HL, electrolytes must be replenished on an on-going basis. Sub-q fluids may need to be administered if the dehydration deficit is high.
Antibiotics: Broad spectrum antibiotics, such as amoxicillin or clavamox are usually mainstay in treating HL. This combats secondary infections that can targe the liver as it starts regenerating itself.
If Tux is still eating on his own, your vet may only require you to ensure a new diet as mentioned above, to ensure plenty of protein and calories. However, depending on the extent of the condition depends on what your vet feels is the best approach for your kitty in particular. Usually, HL is so advanced that tube feeding or a surgically placed parenteal tube is placed so that administering food and water and meds can be done through syringe into the tube. A calculated and very consistent feeding schedule must be met, your vet will instruct you based on Tux's needs at this point.
Most HL kitties cannot survive on allowing them to eat on their own. While it is good that he is, it may not be enough. Forced feeding rarely is successful either, which is why most successful recoveries are through a parenteal approach. The key is
consistency in the meal, the feeding schedule, the amounts per feeding, and that kitty is receiving the required amount daily. Several feedings a day may be necessary.
Your vet will discuss all these things with you, and I wouldn't wait a second for him to call you, get started on his treatment approach ASAP, you have the added burden of FIV to worry about, so aggressive treatment must be approached in order to expect a successful outcome. Tux may be more suscpetible to secondary infections due to the FIV, so you don't want to miss anything in his treatment.
It's possible you have caught this just before severe liver degeneration, and your vet may not require for Tux as much as I've noted here, but don't wait to find out, call him and find out what his treatment approach is.
Hang in there, Lisa, Tux is obviously a very strong boy, let us know how he's doing......
