liver mass, diet controlled FD (not one of mine)

[tuckers mom]

Sorry to post about a cat that doesn't belong to me, but Bob is very special to me. I met Robin, my friend and partner in Kitten Associates when I taught Robin how to hometest and Bob was off insulin within a week due to a change in diet to raw food.

We believe Bob is FIV+, but rather than trust the snap test, we're running a Western Blot today.

Bob's appetite is great, he's spunky and seems well, but recent weight loss was concerning. Bloodwork was all good except for ALT, I believe over 1200, really really high. Everything else fine, no hypert, FD or anything.

Did an ultrasound today, 5 cm mass found on liver. After Western Blot results are in we'll be able to talk to area surgeons about options, such as biopsy or removal, but vet is not sure a surgeon would take on Bob's case if FIV+.

Bob has started Demarin and has switched his raw food diet to canned in case it was too high protein for him.

Does anyone have any experience with liver masses and expected prognosis?

Thank you in advance. You can read more on Bob on Robin's blog, www.coveredincathair.com.

 

[Patti and Merlin]

Hi Jen
I have no experience with this in a cat. The little I know about it is that one can live with only a part of one's liver. However, the liver can be very fragile and I can't think of the right word here - but has a lot of circulation thru it - thus bleeding can be a serious issue. Also because of the circulation thru it - depending on what the mass is/how invasive it is - will decide if the "mass" could have spread elsewhere. I'm sorry - I don't know how honest you wanted me to be.

YOu might want to try the liver groups on yahoo. I've joined them for other issues I had with 2 of my other cats.

Other meds the vet might consider depending on what they find is Ursodial, Prednisolone, and some ABX (Amoxicillin and Metronidazole) - all depending tho on what happens.

I hope this gives you a start on finding more out.
xxxx
patti