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There’s a new test in the feline world to test for pancreatitis. We ran that on Mali - she has it.
Along with her other symptoms and results we now believe she has Triaditis, or Feline Triad Disease. Eventually, this will kill her, but with early diagnosis and treatment, she can live a healthy, happy life for years to come.
Here are some links about it:
PetCareLibrary. Note the last two paragraphs from that article:
All three of the diseases that constitute Triad Disease - IBD, hepatitis and pancreatitis - can also exist independently or from other causes, so repeated diagnostic testing will be required to decide how to treat the symptoms and to monitor the course of the disease. Kidney disease, thyroid disease or cancer can all have similar signs but very different treatments. Multiple problems may be present at the same time or develop later on. IBD can also progress to intestinal cancer. Eventually Triad disease will become severe and advanced and treatment will no longer be effective, though this can take several years. The earlier it is diagnosed the better the outcome and longevity of the cat.
Although diagnosis and treatment of triad disease is difficult and often costly, treatment may also be very rewarding. In the early stages a simple change to a hypoallergenic diet and frequent monitoring may be all that’s required. The response to medication can be dramatic in some cases and most cats do very well in the early stages. For the best outcome a good, close working relationship with your cat’s veterinarian is required!
This explains why changing Mali to grain-free food early on had such a positive effect.
Here is an interesting article about another person that has been facing these issues with two cats, one who has passed. The medications are different but there are a lot of similarities. This article advocates the use of raw food (Mali won’t eat a balanced raw diet, but she’ll eat chopped up turkey and chicken pieces) or canned food, but says not to use kibble. Mali free feeds kibble (high quality grain free) and it’s often the only way she’s kept on weight, so I’m skeptical about that for Mali, but I’ll be reading more on this site for sure.
Right now Mali is on Clavamox to bring her ALT (liver) down, and is going on Ursodiol. She’s also receiving 100ml of subcutaneous fluids a day. She ate about 1oz of food and I can easily force-feed her dry food by simply placing it on her tongue. She’s no longer going places she doesn’t normally go, and she’s no longer lethargic. She slept with me, she’s been purring and kneading, but she’s not yet playful. I think we’ll have full quality of life soon, but I don’t know how long. Every moment…
And, of course, she has miniature kidneys, with one being pretty much non-functional. Right now her BUN and Creatanin are within normal range. But who knows when her kidneys will act up again?
I already knew these ongoing issues were going to be fatal in the long-term. But can we stabilize her and get her healthy, and happy, with a good quality of life now? I do believe we can and will. At the point in time where Mali is suffering more, the I may have to face the decision to put her down. But right now I’m keeping focused on the positive. She’s already doing heaps better. I know she’ll continue to improve, and if she needs medication for the rest of her life, that is what she’ll get.
-Lisa, on February 4, 2010 at 11:15 am