I watched a television documentary once on state of the art veterinary surgery. One of the cases was a cat like that. I remember the owner going through all sorts of tests and surgeries. Can't remember if the cat lived, but it stuck in my mind. I've had cats all my life, and don't remember ever seeing one with a portal shunt, but you know........I haven't had many kittens around and since it's congenital perhaps a lot of the cases are those little runts who 'don't make it'.

It's sad, isn't it?

I lost one kitten to that ... autopsy showed that the digestive system was not hooked up correctly.

It IS sad because she tries soooo hard. I had the phone in my hand to make the call today but she decided to eat some of the special food I made up for her. I only gave a teaspoon of food, three times so far this afternoon. I figured she couldn't handle a big meal, even if I were pleased that she had any sort of appetite. She has perked up, actually rolled over on her back to play with me when I was petting her. I wonder if this will continue or the axe will fall. We'll see. Lori

Just as an update, the little kitten is going strong! She's so precious and is now in the house full time. She's very tiny and has had an ear infection but happy and otherwise healthy. She has gained all her weight back and since she is so little, looks as big around as she is long/tall. She runs and plays and eats normally. I have fallen for her, she is just so sweet. I have her brother in the house too and he is twice her size. They make a good pair:) Lori

Gardengal, did you guys figure out what was wrong? Did it just take her liver some time to get going, or does she still have the issue? This is so interesting.

I'm very glad to see everything worked out...it's sad to hear about any animal dying!

I don't know that we will ever know what went on with her, except that her liver was not working up to par there for a bit. It has been my experience in the human world that you can't really come back from that but whatever happened to her has been cured or rectified for now. The vet said her immune system is probably for crap, thus the ear infection, but she is happy and (other than her tiny size) healthy for now. She eats right along with her much bigger brother and keeps up with him. Lori

Oh, I am so happy to hear the good news, I was at the edge of my seat reading your posts. I rescued 4 kittens back in April one was tiny like you described and he didn't make it. The other three are going strong and we are enjoying them.

I have a little kitten 1/4 oz at 4 weeks when I found her screaming for her mother. She had the typical upper resp infections. Treated her for that and she was on kitten milk for 2 days. Started on Hills C/D for wheight gained then changed to dry and canned kitten food. She started having diarrhea and didn't want to eat. Took her to the vet with a poop sample, which came back fine. She has not thrown up and her diarrhea is light tan. She's eating again and her poop is darker at times, but still watery. The vet mentioned this liver portal and more or less said that it was costly to treat and would have a poor out come. I want to have an ultrasound done to find out how severe the portal is. Depending on the severity I'm considering surgery.
What kind of diet did you mix up for your kitten, maybe I can use the same as she waits for results?

I have a little kitten 1/4 oz at 4 weeks when I found her screaming for her mother. She had the typical upper resp infections. Treated her for that and she was on kitten milk for 2 days. Started on Hills C/D for wheight gained then changed to dry and canned kitten food. She started having diarrhea and didn't want to eat. Took her to the vet with a poop sample, which came back fine. She has not thrown up and her diarrhea is light tan. She's eating again and her poop is darker at times, but still watery. The vet mentioned this liver portal and more or less said that it was costly to treat and would have a poor out come. I want to have an ultrasound done to find out how severe the portal is. Depending on the severity I'm considering surgery.
What kind of diet did you mix up for your kitten, maybe I can use the same as she waits for results?