Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 3/10/2007

Question
My cat is almost 3 years old, young compared to other cats that I have read about with similar problems. He hasn't been eating or drinking, has been losing weight, and has been lacking some energy. I brought him into the vet and he ran blood tests. My cat's ALK phosphate levels, ALT, GGT, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, glucose, A/G ratio, and indirect bilirubin levels are high. His globulin, total protein, bun, biocarbonate and cholesterol levels are low. The vet suggested I get a specialist to take a biopsy of my cat's liver. What am I looking at here? Since he is a younger cat, does he have a higher survival rate? I'm torn; I've read a lot online saying that if liver failure is to blame, then perhaps all the treatments aren't worth the time/effort. I don't want to believe that. Can you tell anything from the information I have given you? I pray there is hope!

Answer
If the cat isn't eating, then this is most likely hepatic lipidosis, which results in a fatty liver in cats from not eating.  If the vet and put proteininto the cat's stomach witha stomach tube, that helps reverse this.  If the cat has not been tested for Feline Leukemia and Feline Infectious Peritonitis, I would have that done as well.