Yoshimi :(

I woke up around 2:15 last night when I heard Yoshimi crawl out from under the bed. Things didn't sound right, so I turned the light on - she wasn't walking right and looked confused. I pet her a while and then she lay down in my closet. A few minutes later she got up again and became increasing confused and distressed. We got a community car and brought her to the emergency room at 3:45. They diagnosed her with Feline Hepatic Lipidosis. Essentially she hasn't been eating since janusnori's cats moved in and since cats have evolved to be lean they don't have the enzyme needed to process fat in their livers (which is where is starts to get stored when they go into starvation mode).

They just called and she'll be there another night at least. She'll get an ultrasound later today and a more permanent feeding tube (inserted into her esophagus instead of through the mouth) tomorrow morning. They said they are concerned that she is still not responding well neurologically, which is probably due to poisoning from the toxins in her liver, which is why they are waiting a little and getting more nutrients into her until they take the next step.

I feel awful. I knew she wasn't doing well, but thought she just had to get adjusted to the new living situation. I've been gone a lot (Campbellsport and camping), so I haven't been here for her. I still don't know how to fix the primary cause of the problem. And of course the whole thing is costing thousands of dollars. Otherwise, Nick is keeping me sane.

Yoshimi update

Just talked to the vet and Yoshimi has improved neurologically (but is still ataxic) and is off some of the meds. Her ultrasound showed an obstruction but an x-ray didn't reveal any blockages, but did show a shunt, so they have adjusted her meds for that. She is scheduled for the feeding tube insertion tomorrow morning and depending on how she recovers from that I may be able to take her home tomorrow night. I can give her the meds and food through the tube, so I can't wait to get her home.

Thanks to everyone that has offered support - emotional and practical - and shared their own stories - it all helps a lot.