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Pet Article
CATS - HEPATIC LIPIDOSIS
Hepatic lipidosis occurs when a cat stops eating and the body begins to use
stored fat as fuel for the body. It is a myth that only obese cats can get this disease.
Any cat that loses a large amount of weight quickly is at risk.
Sometimes the disease can be triggered by a stressful event such as moving, or
being left alone when the owner goes on vacation. Once the cat becomes anorexic
(stops eating), fat is released into the blood as a source of nutrients. Because
the liver cells store fat, they quickly become overwhelmed and lose their
ability to function.
In some other cases, there may not be any obvious reason why the cat has stopped eating. If
this happens, it is important to make sure that there is no other underlying problems.
Some diseases can just make the cat feel so bad that it doesn't want to eat. Other diseases
can cause the liver to stop functioning well, which in turn can lead to an accumulation of
fat in the liver cells. Because hepatic lipidosis is a secondary problem, the underlying
problem must be addressed in order for full recovery to take place.
The signs of hepatic lipidosis are unfortunately rather vague and can include
lethargy, vomiting and jaundice (icterus or yellowing of the skin). Because
these signs are not specific, a diagnosis can be made by investigating the
patient's history, blood work, ultrasound, and potentially biopsy results. If
there have been no stressful events in the household recently then it is
important to look for a secondary problem leading to hepatic lipidosis.
One of the most important factors in treating these cats is to get them to eat again.
Because oral force feeding can be a difficult undertaking and very stressful for the cat,
it is often preferred to insert a feeding tube directly in to the stomach of the cat until
it begins to eat on its own again. It is also essential to monitor the cat's fluid levels
to prevent dehydration. With this type of supportive care, hopefully the cat will eventually
feel better and will start eating on its own again.
About ten years ago, this disease was invariably fatal because doctors did not know how to
treat it. These days most cases survive.
If you have any questions regarding hepatic lipidosis or underlying problems that
can lead to hepatic lipidosis, please contact your local veterinarian.
Mark Woodcock
1 Flea Control
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