Blood level of ALT 1497 in my cat....do I have hope?

Question

My seemly healthy, normal in all ways, 11yr old cat suddenly began sneezing and stopped eating. Thinking it was just a cold, I let it pass for 2 days and then went to the vet.
He took blood work. He felt no masses in Willy's abdomen, no yellowing of eyes, no fever. The blood work showed a super high elevation of ALT ( enzymes leaking from liver into the blood) Norm range is 20-100. Willy's is 1497. He has had my cat over the weekend with supplements given via IV, plus anitibiotics. He still will not eat on his own. The vet feels this is Cholangiohepatitis. He said it's possible with the meds given, Willy will survive. But it seems to me the count of 1497 is off the chart from the 20-100 norm. Am I foolish to think there is any hope for my cat to survive this? The vet said tomorrow if he hasn't improved....well, it breaks my heart, but he will have to be put down. Does anyone have any knowledge in this area???

The ones who have answered my question....you are all strangers to me but reading what you've written has made me cry...it helps to know that people out there understand the pain I am experiencing with my cat whom I've loved since the day I got him, 11 yr ago. Thank you ALL for your kindness.

Answer 1

I had a cat that started to suffer from liver problems, surprisingly enough, the symptoms she had were very similar to Willy's.
Even our former vet thought our cat had a mere cold, and by the time he realized that he had misdiagnosed her, it was too late. Normally speaking, its not a good sign when cats do not eat, but I'm sure he's on the road to recovery.

Your vet seems right on the money with the diagnosis. I've a feeling that Willy can pull through it. It sounds to me like it's been caught in the nick of time. The number is high, but the vet wouldn't have tried the antibiotics, if he hadn't thought there was a good chance. I'll keep Willy in my prayers and hope he pulls through wonderfully.

Answer 2

Hi, first of all, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Second, don't give up hope! My cat, callie, a 4 year old tortie just went through something very similiar. Her ALT levels were 2000! The vet tried first tried steroids (for one type of cholangiohepatitis) and then 2 kinds of antibiotics. Callie didn't respond to these, in fact her levels were higher. We also tried denmarin, which is an herbal liver supplement. When none of these really worked, we tried taking her off all of her medicines for 3 weeks. Now, the difference is that Callie was still eating, so the vet definitely needs to keep your cat with nutrients. Callie also has a constantly runny nose due to feline herpes (which is normally controlled with lysine). The vet wanted her off even the lysine for the 3 weeks. She just had her levels checked again and her ALT was actually a few points low! (nothing to worry about though). I also just moved from a house that probably had mold, etc. to a much healthier location and put her on only filtered water. The vet thinks that she was just does not tolerate antbiotics well at all. I would try to think of anything your cat may have gotten into (my vet mentioned hair products, cleaners, etc.). She also said that the mold/mildew/whatever was in the old house could have been a factor. Main thing is, don't give up hope. Callie's levels were 2000 and she is just fine. Has your cat had all vaccinations (feline distemper, leukemia, etc.)? Please let me know how your cat does.

Answer 3

A biopsy can help diagnose the exact problem--you might want to consider a specialist that can do a fine needle biopsy. Depending on the diagnosis, some liver diseases in cats are very treatable with good outcomes, and others are not. I've seen counts that high go back to normal with treatment. It is very important to continue supportive care, ie; IV fluids, antibiotics, force feeding, other drugs as needed to help him feel better. Your vet can recommend you to an internal medicine specialist or local vet school if you are serious about pursuing a diagnosis. If you can't do that, than I wouldn't throw in the towel yet...continue treatment unless he takes a turn for the worse and doesn't seem to be responding. Then it might be time to let him go.

Answer 4

Elevated Alt In Cats

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Blood level of ALT 1497 in my cat....do I have hope?
My seemly healthy, normal in all ways, 11yr old cat suddenly began sneezing and stopped eating. Thinking it was just a cold, I let it pass for 2 days and then went to the vet.
He took blood work. He felt no masses in Willy's abdomen, no yellowing of eyes, no fever. The blood work showed a...

Answer 6

I answered you before. THIS is completely reversable. If your vet can't do this, start making calls and find another

'The next most common cause of feline liver failure is “cholangiohepatitis,” which amounts to a bacterial infection and prognosis is generally fair. '
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_feline_cholangiohepatitis.html.

Your cat needs antibiotics fluids and to be FORCE FED> Consider a feeding tube as I have seen it work wonders in may cats
Her's another site
http://www.gcvs.com/internists/cholangiohepatitis.htm
Best of luck

Answer 7

There's never any harm in getting a second opinion from another vet. You may find another vet has a different approach to the problem - food management, different meds, fluid therapy, etc. Don't be afraid to tell your vet that you don't feel comfortable making a decision like that until you have heard it from two different doctors. Best of luck to you and your baby.

Answer 8

I have no knowledge at all of this disease but we will keep all fingers and paws crossed here that Willy makes it okay. I have included a link to some additional information below. It does appear to be treatable with antibiotics. Good luck with Willy. I know what it's like to be in your position and it is absolutely awful. Hugs to you and Willy.