Tests and more tests

[ksmith]

So the good news is that King “passed” the LDDS (low-dose dexamethasone suppression) test. He responded normally, which means he does not have Cushing’s disease. Unfortunately, this means we don’t know what’s causing the elevated liver enzymes.

So, Monday will be Ultrasound Monday. After work, I will take King in to get shaved, gelled, and buzzed. It could simply be age-related changes. Bile-duct irritation/inflammation, leading to liver inflammation (Mickey had this. Cholangeohepatitis. I will add, though, that King isn’t showing those symptoms. No vomiting, and though he is slow some mornings, his appetite is generally good. He just doesn’t want to eat his food as much as Gaby’s food and extraneous treats).

Could be Worse Things, too, but we don’t want to think about those right now.

I will also try to not beat myself up over the fact that I considered starting King on SAMe–another liver supplement–after Mickey died since I had so many blasted bottles of the stuff and the supplementation wouldn’t cause any harm even if King didn’t need it. Maybe I could have headed this off.

Oh well–Life does not come with a reset button. I have been researching liver disease diets, just in case a change is called for. And I happened to have a bottle of milk thistle in the cupboard, so I gave King one. Can’t hurt. Might start to help.

Mirrored from Kristine Smith.

Comments

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

One thing my vet theorized about a liver enzyme increase of several months in a young cat -- that she ate a cricket that was sprayed with a pesticide.

Another possibility?

Hugs to you both. Sorry to hear he's feeling so poorly.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

I try to use organic in the backyard because of the pups, but that doesn't mean something couldn't have come over the fence.

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

Same here. Indoor cat, never sprayed inside -- still got sick.