Feline Fatty Liver Disease

Fatty Liver Disease is one of the most common liver diseases in cats, mostly seen in older, obese cats.

If your cat stops eating for a few days, its body will need to break down fat very quickly to keep nutrient levels balanced. This overwhelms the liver, causing fat to build up there. Eventually, the liver stops working properly. As the disease progresses, it may result in fatal liver failure.

CAUSES:

Anorexia is the main cause of fatty liver disease. If your cat was overweight before the anorexia, it has a greater chance of developing fatty liver disease.

There are other conditions that cause a loss of appetite, which can result in fatty liver disease:

• Intestinal disease
• Pancreatitis
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Social problems (for example: a new cat or home)

SIGNS:

Your cat will loseits appetite for a few days in a row. As the disease progresses, you may notice:

• Lethargy
• Weight loss
• Vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration
• Seizures
• Jaundice: yellowed eyes or skin

If you see any of these signs, go to the veterinarian immediately. The disease is fatal if not treated quickly and aggressively.

DIAGNOSIS:

In order to properly diagnose your cat with fatty liver disease, your veterinarian may perform the following:

• Blood tests
• Ultrasounds
• Liver biopsy (by surgery or needle): to check for excess fat
• Other tests may be performed to determine why your cat stopped eating

TREATMENT:

Immediate treatment to stabilize your cat may include:

• IV fluids
• Antibiotics and vitamins
• Blood transfusions

The main treatment is dietary therapy until your cat's normal appetite returns (usually 6 to 7 weeks). The liver will then continue its regular functioning, and remove the excess fat on its own.

• A feeding tube inserted surgically into the cat's stomach
• Feed it a high protein, high calorie diet with a syringe
• Every so often, try to give your cat some food by mouth so you will know when its appetite returns
• After your cat eats normally for 3 to 4 days, bring it back to your veterinarian to remove the tube

PREVENTION:

The actual cause of the disorder is unknown, but obesity and anorexiaare knownto be associated with the onset of the disease. Prevent obesity by notoverfeeding your cat.

Also try to avoid stressful situations that may cause a cat to suddenly stop eating. These include a new pet or family member in the home, or suddenly changing your cat's diet.

PROGNOSIS:

There is a great chance for full recovery if you catch the disease in its early stages and give proper, aggressive treatment. If there is an underlying medical issue causing fatty liver disease, it is important to address that as well.