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Hepatic Lipidosis

Sent to General Experts September 30 2006 at 2:08 PM
   

Pepper my 8 year old female (about 9 lbs) is suffering from Hepatic Lipidosis. She has had 2 stays at the vet where she recieved fluids, vitamin shots, and antibiotics. Each stay was for about 3-4 days. She is currently home taking 0.50 mL of Milk Thistle, 2.0mL of Pet Tinic, and 1.50 mL of amoxicillan per day. We are foce feeding her 2 cans of cat food per day (about 10ounces) blended to a liquid by adding water. She seems to be going for water on her own and having no trouble peeing. Here are my questions bearing in mind that I have 3 other cats:
Do I need to give her more water?
I do not know if she has (for lack of better words) pooped at all-should I be concerned about this? And if she is constipated what should I give her?
Is there anything else I should be doing?

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $10
Answer
September 30 2006 at 2:54 PM (46 minutes and 16 seconds later)
         
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Hi Morganlyn-

I'm sorry Pepper is not doing well right now, but I'm encouraged by the fact that you are able to get as much food in her as you are. Good for you! The cure for hepatic lipadosis is food. It can take quite a while - several months sometimes, for the problem to resolve, but diligent owners like yourself often have success with getting their cats back on the right road. It is important that she is passing stool. That way you know things are functioning and she is getting enough nutrition to have some waste. The best idea I have for you on short term basis is to go out and buy Pepper a litter box of her own and confine her to one room of your home with food, water and the box. She should have at least ONE bowel movement in 24 hours. Also, it will better enable you to monitor exactly what she is taking in. You might get a few jars of Gerber Baby Meat - plain pureed chicken or turkey and put about 1/4 of a jar out for her to see if she may show some interest in eating on her own in addition to what you are giving her. Getting her eating on her own is the biggest key to winning this battle. If she is constipated (which I doubt-given the amount of liquids she is getting), you can add some canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) or pureed Gerber Baby Squash to her canned food. This will help get her moving.

It sounds like you are definitely on the right track. I think isolating her is the only way you'll be able to monitor what exactly is going on with her output for a while. You can let her out a few times a day once you see her going. Please let me know if I can do anything else for you!



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Lori McLaughlin
Your veterinarian should ALWAYS be consulted first and foremost when your pet's welfare is at stake.
Lori -- Internet Researcher -- 100% Positive Feedback on 22 General Accepts
General Household Crafts and "how tos", degrees in Computer Science, Medical Assisting
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