fibrosis of the liver

[Rafiki]

As most of you know, 2015 was a very difficult year for Rafiki. She was diagnosed with liver fibrosis in July with an unknown cause. She suffered from anorexia as a result and had to be taken off the raw that she had always eaten. It would take over an hour twice a day to get her to eat - usually by dipping a finger into the food and coaxing her to lick. We came close to losing her 3 times this fall - bad reaction to medications led to temporary partial paralysis, a couple of weeks later she came down with acute pancreatitis followed by an extreme bacterial infection in November. Her face and neck were so swollen that she was not recognizable. At that point, we feared that she had suffered liver failure. A massive dose of steroids and antibiotics followed. And then a miracle occurred. The following day saw a dramatic improvement both in appearance and appetite. She developed and appetite and started back on raw that day. The current theory was that the mycoplasma bacterial infection may have been there for close to a year and attacked her liver. She is now doing very well. Jammu has his favorite "chew-toy" back. The last ultrasound/blood-work in December revealed a healthy looking liver and her enzymes were finally all normal. Her next vet visit will be next month but we are very hopeful that all will be good.

Today Rafiki turned 3. She is now officially a cat and not a kitten. Please follow me to her new thread simply labeled "Rafiki".

 

[Savannah Mama]

Good news.


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[Patti]

Happy birthday Rafiki, I think you are a miracle kitten!!

 

[Rafiki]

It was 3 years ago today that I received the horrific liver biopsy results for Rafiki. She was diagnosed with fibrosis of the liver, cause unknown. The vet said that liver fibrosis in a 2 year old cat was extremely rare but that dogs generally only live 1-2 years post-diagnosis. She was given 3 years to live.

Her liver values were sky high for 6 months no matter what we did and without knowing what was attacking the liver, it continued to scar. They were not optimistic about her survival. In November of 2015, she had a massive ear infection with her head so swollen she was unrecognizable. The culture came back positive for mycoplasma - in the ear, not the respiratory system and she was treaty with doxycycline. Post-treatment was the first time her liver values had been normal.

We continued to monitor her and treat her every few months in 2016 as her liver values went on a roller coaster ride. She had reoccurring ear infections in 2017. Cultures were all negative and nothing worked. She was at the vet every week for almost 3 months. I was researching ear infections and added mycoplasma and that was when it all clicked. I found evidence of a link between mycoplasma in the ear and liver issues in cows. Then I discovered a paper published in Brazil regarding the difficulties in treating mycoplasma in the middle ear and I called UC Davis for advice.. I spoke to my vet about the findings and we decided to try 6-weeks doxycycline treatment last July/August and her liver values have been completely normal ever since. Today marks 3 years and my girl is going strong.

 

[admin]

That is such great news! Glad to hear you did all the research, which may help someone else. Go Rafiki!


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[Patti]

What a blessing to have discovered the etiology of Rafiki's liver failure, and not only that but to have a way to cure it! Rafiki is definitely a miracle child, and extremely lucky to have such a persistent and pernacious human who simply refused to give up on her!!! I hope you are celebrating today!!!

 

[John Popp]

That is great news! I appreciate all the effort this type of research takes and I'm elated that Rafiki is doing so well.

Also, thanks much for all the support on Dooley's liver issues. Not yet 3 years for Dooley but headed that direction.

 

[Renee]

Oh my goodness, what a whirlwind! Hats off to you for your diligence and I am so glad Rafiki is feeling better.