cat with liver failure

Question
Our cat just diagnosed with liver disease.  We were given special food to force feed her with and antibiotics as well.  She is completely miserable and lethargic.  Should we continue trying this or humanely put her down?

Answer
Rachel,

Unfortunately I can't offer a medical opinion on the circumstances that have led you to seek my help since I'm not a veterinarian. It sounds to me like your kitty is gravely ill, but I don't know how long she's been sick or what her prognosis is. Ultimately I can't tell you if or when it's time to give your kitty a helping hand over the rainbow bridge, this is an intensely personal decision that involves your family, how the cat's faring (is she eating, drinking, urinating, defecating, sleeping, playing, etc?) and how far you're willing to go in order to give her a fighting chance at survival. Is this kitty to the point where she doesn't enjoy her life any longer and her prognosis suggests that it's unlikely she'll get better? I don't know that for sure, your vet may have a better idea what to expect and where your kitty's at in terms of her willingness to fight or her wish to give up and die peacefully, and I think you should address these concerns with him/her. Deciding to euthanize a much loved pet is never an easy thing to do, it's heartbreaking but in this situation I'm not sure how advanced this kitty's liver disease is, whether or not she's in pain or able to function, whether or not she's a fan of being handled every couple of hours while she's being given food and medications by syringe. Some cats simply hate being force fed, taking medication and being taken to the vet, others are pretty laid back about it and in this situation your cat's normal personality may help you to make your decision after you've spoken with your vet and asked all of the questions you have to in order to satisfy your need for information.

I've taken the liberty of including a few pieces of writing that I've found comforting after losing a much loved cat, I hope they offer you some comfort and bring you much needed peace if you come to the decision that your kitty needs to pass from this world to the next with a little help from your vet.

Fragile Circle


"We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own, live within a fragile circle, easily and often breached. Unable to accept its awful gaps, we still would live no other way. We cherish memory as the only certain immortality, never fully understanding the necessary plan."

- Irving Townsend

A prayer about cat bereavement, I'm not sure who wrote it or what the official title is:

May your whiskers be ruffled by only pleasant breezes,
May your bowls be filled with tuna and sweet cream,
May your dreams be blessed with legions of mice,
And most of all,
May you forever purr in peace.
Amen

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

In the event that you and your vet feel that it's appropriate to take this step and make the final decision to end your kitty's fight with liver disease it might be worth thinking about offering a shelter cat or kitten a second chance at life by adopting them into your loving home. I know that in the first while after you lose a special cat it's tough to put the pieces back together, but I've found that rescuing a cat or kitten who needs to be rescued can sometimes help the healing process. The beauty of adopting another feline companion is that saving a shelter cat will help you to move forward and start on the journey to remembering your precious cat well - it's what she'd want. I don't suggest that you get a cat or kitten that's similar in appearance to the kitty that's just gone on to the Rainbow Bridge to wait for you because cats are unique, amazing sentient beings and no two are ever exactly alike. I don't want you to have to get slammed with the loss of your little fur kid twice, once when you freed her from her suffering and again when your new feline companion doesn't turn out to have your previous cat's strengths, weaknesses, personality or behaviors.I hope that I've been able to offer some comfort in this difficult time, I only wish that there was something I could do to help make the situation and decisions you'll face in the coming days easier, unfortunately I can't. In the event that you do decide to humanely end your little girl's suffering as she fights her battle with liver disease I'd strongly encourage you to check out pet bereavement/loss sites online as some of them offer wonderful support and ideas for remembering your feline companion well. I know what a difficult time it is for you and I want you to know that you're in my thoughts, I'm willing to offer an empathetic ear if you need someone to listen. Please don't hesitate to contact me again if you have further questions, concerns or you'd like me to clarify something in this answer, I will do my very best to help you out.