cat - Fatty Liver Disease; force feed
#1
07-24-05, 10:10 AM
cat - Fatty Liver Disease; force feed
Our 1-year-old male, (overweight), was outside and came to the house throwing up. Once inside, he was fine. Drank and ate, etc. Later that night he just was not himself. The next day, he became lethargic and felt warm. We took him to emergency. His temperature was 105. He was not eating or drinking.
They gave him a water IV, a shot to settle his stomach, and sent him home with us with instructions to watch him and take him to his vet if he does not start eating by day 3 (for fear of fatty liver disease).
We did not have anything to force water, so my husband and daughter used a juice box straw during the day. The next day, we took him to our local vet.
After $400 in, they did blood work and x-rays. They need to do a liver biopsy ($800) and food IV (no price) to further help him. Our family has not had a good financial summer (husband had brain tumor removed). We stopped at $400 and requested home options to help Gizmo.
They offered a home IV and syringe for force feeding. I wished the first emergency would have offered this. We should not have waited until day 3. Vets are so helpful and knowledgeable, but I feel it is a lot about the money; and now unfortunately, we cannot pay the high price.
We force feed 3 - 4 times a day. We went from 15 cc per feeding upto 30. He receives 150 - 200 ml water via IV daily.
He does not seem to be improving. He throws up at the smell of food. (Treats backfire any improvement.) We have another cat; and it just does not look like Gizmo has had a BM. I have read about trying "pumpkin" from a can and "fish oil" to help with constipation.
Any other advice? We are learning this process too late.
They gave him a water IV, a shot to settle his stomach, and sent him home with us with instructions to watch him and take him to his vet if he does not start eating by day 3 (for fear of fatty liver disease).
We did not have anything to force water, so my husband and daughter used a juice box straw during the day. The next day, we took him to our local vet.
After $400 in, they did blood work and x-rays. They need to do a liver biopsy ($800) and food IV (no price) to further help him. Our family has not had a good financial summer (husband had brain tumor removed). We stopped at $400 and requested home options to help Gizmo.
They offered a home IV and syringe for force feeding. I wished the first emergency would have offered this. We should not have waited until day 3. Vets are so helpful and knowledgeable, but I feel it is a lot about the money; and now unfortunately, we cannot pay the high price.
We force feed 3 - 4 times a day. We went from 15 cc per feeding upto 30. He receives 150 - 200 ml water via IV daily.
He does not seem to be improving. He throws up at the smell of food. (Treats backfire any improvement.) We have another cat; and it just does not look like Gizmo has had a BM. I have read about trying "pumpkin" from a can and "fish oil" to help with constipation.
Any other advice? We are learning this process too late.
#2
07-26-05, 05:02 AM
If you are force feeding him, keep it up. Any nourishment is beneficial. Keep the liquids coming. Dehydration from lack of fluid is a greater risk than low intake of food. If you want to try oil, simply offer a teaspoon of vegetable oil. If he takes it, it may help with any constipation. If the vet understands your financial dilemma, ask about any other foods or oil that may be beneficial.
I suspect that veterinarians don't start by offering do-it-yourself medical care for the same reason that your doctor does not start there. Explaining your situation to the vet seems to have changed direction and given you the option of home care for your pet. It seems to me that the challenge in treating animals is that they cannot talk to you.
Hope this helps.
I suspect that veterinarians don't start by offering do-it-yourself medical care for the same reason that your doctor does not start there. Explaining your situation to the vet seems to have changed direction and given you the option of home care for your pet. It seems to me that the challenge in treating animals is that they cannot talk to you.
Hope this helps.
