My cat isn't peeing much & meows a lot. Liver or gallbladder issue?

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It sounds that Puss suffers from acute kidney failure, which is most commonly caused by intoxication (for example ingesting antifreeze, human anti-inflammatory medications, lily pollen and more). This is a serious condition and the best place to be for Puss is a vet hospital. There are a few methods to induce urine output (drip, diuretic medications) and I do hope he will start producing urine very soon. However, as I am sure your vet advised you, the prognosis are uncertain, if Puss is not able to produce any urine at the moment.

Without having examined Roxy myself, and without seeing her ultrasound images and lab results, it’s a bit tough to advise you. I will say that gall bladder surgery is considered quite a major procedure in cats and dogs, unlike in people where it borders on routine. I almost always try a medical approach first, usually ursidiol and perhaps and antibiotic chosen based on culture of the bile, and sometimes even steroid medications, in these guys, before recommending surgery. I hope your vet has given you some guidance regarding prognosis. I always refer patients for gall bladder surgery to a boarded surgeon, since it’s very delicate and can be quite challenging for someone who hasn’t done them often. I would advise that you reconnect with your vet and discuss the possibility of a brief trial - maybe 2 weeks - of medical management before surgery, to see if that might be a Workable compromise.

These signs could be compatible with an inflammation infection of the gastrointestinal system and surrounding organs (like pancreas and liver). He may experience nausea at this stage. A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is immediately essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics and possibly further investigations (like abdominal imaging as ultrasound or radiographs) may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Hello. I am so sorry that your pet is so unwell. Depending on the cause of the liver disease ( lipidosis, inflammation, infection, or cancer ), prognosis is extremely varied. If he is showing neurologic issues, this could be an indication that you have developed a form of hepatic encephalitis as the result to toxin buildup in the blood stream. The liver's job is to remove toxins, such as ammonia, but if the liver function is depressed enough, a buildup will occur. In general, subcutaneous fluids should not cause overhydration, but with organ failure, this too is a possibility & now the problem becomes how to manage dehydration without doing more damage. This sounds like a very difficult & complex case, so hopefully you have a very good team of doctors working on the problem. The questions you have asked are all very good ones, but difficult to respond to without having your cat's complete history. Tomorrow, ask to have a consult, or sitdown with the attending veterinarian. Write down all your questions & thoughts and keep asking until you are satisfied with their answers. Hopefully they will be able to at least give you some guidance as to what the next steps are to help your kitty back to health. Good luck & thanks for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Without knowing the course of his illness, test results, etc. it is difficult to give accurate advice. It does sound serious enough that your cat likely needs a feeding tube surgically placed so that you can give him the necessary amount of food each day. It is quite difficult to force feed a cat who is sick and doesn't want to eat. The feeding tube is often needed in these situations. You should discuss this option with your veterinarian and inquire about having it done asap. It may also be necessary that your cat remain hospitalized for more intense supportive care including IV fluids. Please consult with his doctor right away.

This sounds like he has an enlarged liver. The liver is near the front of the abdomen and if it enlarges it can cause the symptoms you are describing. It can put pressure on the lungs so they aren’t able to expand normally which can cause difficulty breathing, usually when excited. I would continue with the treatments your veterinarian recommends. An X-ray would show if the liver is enlarged, although there may not be much to do about it with his other medical problems. We do give supplements for the liver but rarely do surgery or other treatments. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Abner.

I recommend a urine screen to determine his urinary tract health and any cause for pain or discomfort in this area. Kidneys are only rarely damaged by urinary obstruction but if there is evidence of issues, a blood test may be required also. Wet food, calming supplements and pain relief may be recommended depending on the results