Hepatic lipidosis in cats. Liver lipidosis in cats: is there a chance for a cure?

The liver is considered one of the most important organs organism, because it is entrusted with many vital necessary functions: filtering the blood, getting rid of it toxic substances, extracting vitamins from incoming food, participation in digestion. Therefore, any failure in the liver leads to problems in the work of all organs. Such a disease as liver lipidosis in cats, is a serious pathology leading to fatal consequences in the absence of proper treatment. What is dangerous disease, its symptoms and treatment - later in the article.

What is lipidosis

In simplified terms, lipidosis is a fatty liver. The disease occurs as a result of the accumulation of fat in the liver cells, which blocks normal work organ, leading along the chain to various violations in the work of the digestive organs and intoxication of the body.

Lipidosis develops in two forms:

1. Primary - develops against the background of general obesity
2. Secondary - occurs as a result of a previous disease. , heart disease can be a trigger.

Signs of lipidosis

Liver lipidosis in cats is most often associated with unbalanced diet and passive lifestyle. initial stage impossible to fix, because the disease begins without symptoms. The most pronounced signs appear when the liver is substantially filled with fat cells. These include:

1. Rapid weight loss and unreasonable weakening or lack of appetite.
2. Mucous membranes become yellowish.3. The cat is tormented by abnormal thirst.
4. The color of urine darkens.
5. The cat is not playful.
6. Arise and.
7. Saliva is strongly secreted.
8. A dense smell of rot is felt from the mouth.
9. With the course of the disease, a note of muscle atrophy.

In diseases of the liver, the most important thing is timely diagnosis, because liver cells have the ability to regenerate, and the organ is restored.

Necessary examination for diagnosis

It is impossible to cope with the disease and make a diagnosis on your own, so do not put off a visit to the veterinarian. If he suspects lipidosis, he will prescribe tests:

1. Biochemical blood test to detect the level of bilirubin and liver enzymes.
2. General blood analysis.
3. Urinalysis - also to detect bilirubin.
4. Ultrasound of the liver to determine its size.

AT special occasions tissue biopsy is ordered. For this, the cat is immersed in anesthesia and liver tissue is taken with a needle for examination under a microscope. This method allows you to make a diagnosis with the highest accuracy.

How is lipidosis treated?

Liver lipidosis in cats is most often diagnosed on late stages when fat occupies a large area. In this case, it is not appropriate to talk about the complete restoration of the organ. Late diagnosis due to prolonged absence symptoms and inattention of the owners to changes in the behavior of the pet due to over-employment.

The basis of treatment is drug therapy and diet. The treatment regimen involves:

1. Within one and a half months - intravenous administration of vitamins and nutrients.
2. For alignment water balance- Ringer's solution.
3. "Zantak", "Tagamet" - to protect the digestive tract from and the formation of ulcers.
4. Preparations for raising immunity.

Forecast

Treatment of lipidosis in tetrapods is quite long, and its effectiveness depends on the age of the cat and the degree of neglect of the disease. According to statistics, about 35% of sick animals do not cope with the disease and die. In other cases, treatment takes two to three months, possibly artificial feeding cats. Powerful therapy can completely restore the liver if early stage was diagnosed.

Prevention of fatty liver

Simple truth: the disease is easier to prevent than to cure. To prevent lipidosis and other diseases, the cat should be provided, fed strictly on schedule and not exceed daily calorie content. Don't let your pet lie down all day long. Give him active play every day to ensure normal blood flow and energy consumption. Give vitamins regularly, and as a support for the liver - in preventive purposes"Hepatitis".

Lipidosis or fatty degeneration Liver disease is a common liver disease in cats associated with the accumulation of fat in the liver cells. Lipidosis occurs more frequently in obese cats leading to sedentary image life. This disease can be fatal.

In most cases, lipidosis occurs in cats that for some reason stop eating. In such cases, the body begins to use fat reserves to replace energy, while fat enters the liver to be converted into lipoproteins. The increased intake of fat exceeds the liver's ability to transform it for energy, and then the fat accumulates in the liver cells. The reasons for lack of appetite can be various, for example, stress from a sudden change in food, the introduction of new animals in the house, or if the cat for a long time can't find food. Various systemic diseases may cause loss of appetite, such as deterioration of kidney function. In liver lipidosis, there are many metabolic disorders associated with a deterioration in liver function, plasma levels of taurine, vitamin K1 (which can lead to coagulopathy), B vitamins and electrolytes, especially potassium and phosphorus, decrease.

Clinical signs vary, but generally the following:

• dramatic weight loss: more than 25%,
• dehydration,
• lethargy,
• vomit,
• salivation,
• pallor of mucous membranes,
• ventroflexion ( forced position head, inability to raise it)
• jaundice,
• constipation/diarrhea.

Diarrhea may be present in cats with comorbidities such as lymphoma or inflammatory diseases intestines.

Diagnostics

AT clinical analysis blood - non-regenerative anemia, the appearance of Heinz bodies, a change in the number of leukocytes. A bleeding disorder may be present.

In biochemical analysis, an increase in ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase. Less specific increase in GGT, gopoalbuminemia, hyperglobulinemia.

Ultrasound shows a change in the echogenicity of the hepatic parenchyma, hepatomegaly.

Diagnosis is based on medical history, examination, laboratory tests, data from ultrasound examination, taking aspiration cytology. Liver biopsy is not the main method of diagnosis, but it may be required for differential diagnosis if the disease is based on cholangitis, cholangiohepatitis or hepatic lymphoma.

Treatment

Treatment of liver lipidosis in cats is aimed at restoring dehydration, electrolyte and metabolic disorders. Cat nutrition plays an important role: if she does not eat on her own, then she has to be force-fed. You can feed from a Pomeranian, pouring food into your mouth in small portions, or use special tubes through which food will enter the stomach: a nasogastric tube, an esophagostomy, or a gastrostomy. Feeding tubes are often easier to use and more efficient because the cat cannot spit out the food. Use highly nutritious wet food.

On the first day, 1/3 - 1/2 of the total dose of food is introduced, then gradually increase it over 2-4 days. When the cat begins to eat on its own, the feeding tubes are removed. Usually full recovery takes 3-6 weeks.

Prevention of lipidosis is regular balanced feeding, maintenance of the cat in normal condition.

The article was prepared by the doctors of the therapeutic department "MEDVET"
© 2016 SVTS "MEDVET"

Excessive accumulation of fat in the liver is called liver lipidosis (HL). HL in cats may be due to diabetes, drug therapy(eg, tetracycline), chronic anorexia and feeding disorders, or may be caused by primary idiopathic accumulation of lipids (triglycerides) in the liver (idiopathic hepatic lipidosis). The incidence of IHL in cats in the United States has increased markedly since it was first reported and is currently the most common hepatopathy in cats in the United States. It is not known whether this indicates an increase in the incidence or a better recognition of this clinical syndrome. Accumulation of lipids in the liver in cats causes severe liver dysfunction and can lead to death of the animal due to liver failure. The main purpose of this article is to provide detailed coverage of the treatment of IHL in cats. The principles of maintenance therapy generally apply to secondary HL as well.

General characteristics of idiopathic liver lipidosis in cats

IHL occurs in adult cats of both sexes and any breed. One of the main principles successful treatment IHL is it early diagnosis. Fortunately, some risk factors for IHL are well recognized and should be of concern to pet owners and clinicians. The onset of IHL is almost always preceded by obesity. Although stress is more subjective, it plays important role in "stimulation" this syndrome. Typical examples of stress are dietary changes and feeding the animal less favorite food, which leads to a reduction in feed intake; change of environment; infection resulting from a bite wound. Clinical signs include decreased appetite or increased pickiness in food, which can lead to complete anorexia in a few days to a few weeks. Significant weight loss (> 25% of normal weight body) and loss muscle mass, but this can be imperceptible due to ongoing obesity. Cats usually have mild to moderate depression. Sporadic vomiting often occurs. You can not notice the gradually developing jaundice and recognize it already in a pronounced form. Hepatomegaly is common, but usually in mild form. As the disease progresses, signs of severe liver dysfunction appear, such as hepatic encephalopathy (ptyalism, depression, stupor) and impaired blood clotting; these symptoms are indicative of severe complications. In liver failure, the prognosis is cautious or unfavorable.

Typical laboratory abnormalities suggest the presence of cholestatic liver disease, and as the disease progresses, biochemical pathological changes characteristic of liver failure. Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity is often markedly elevated, but, oddly enough, gamma-glutamyl transferase activity is normal or only slightly elevated. (Centeretal.,
1993). The activity of alkaline aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase is in many cases slightly or moderately elevated, but usually not as high as ALP. Other signs of cholestasis and liver dysfunction are hyperbilirubinemia, bilirubinuria, and increased bile acids in blood serum. Hypoglycemia, hypoalbuminemia, hyperammonemia, and coagulation disorders are also associated with severe liver dysfunction.
X-ray examination abdominal cavity cats with uncomplicated IHL usually show only mild hepatomegaly. At ultrasound examination the liver with lipidosis is characterized by generalized hyperechogenicity. In addition, abdominal ultrasonography helps rule out extrahepatic biliary obstruction, as IHL and pancreatitis are characterized by normal sizes extrahepatic bile ducts(data on peritoneal effusion and characteristic echogenic neoplasms of a mixed nature in the pancreas are not available). Accurate Diagnosis is best placed with a liver biopsy (percutaneous puncture or wedge-shaped, taken during laparotomy). Cytological examination fine-needle percutaneous aspiration liver specimens suggest a diagnosis of HL, and this procedure is usually safer for the patient than open biopsy under general anesthesia and surgical intervention.

Pathophysiology of idiopathic liver lipidosis

Unfortunately, little is known about pathophysiological mechanisms causing IHL in cats. Previous studies have focused mainly on metabolic disorders associated with the accumulation of fat in the liver, which lead to liver failure. (Dimski and Taboada, 1995). Although these data may be important, the mechanisms that cause persistent anorexia are not fully understood. Indeed, it is surprising that obese cats, who used to eat a lot, now stubbornly refuse food. This is not an easy problem as feed intake and energy balance are managed numerous factors, including neurotransmitters of the central nervous system, such as neuropeptide Y, serotonin and corticotropic hormone; peripheral hormones, such as insulin, cholecystokinin, and stress hormones (catecholamine and glucocorticoids), and cytokine levels, such as factor alpha tumor necrosis(TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) (Ballinger, 1994).

More recently, there have been reports of studies on the complex regulation of appetite in other animal species. (Halmi, 1996). It is now clear that adipocytes play a large role in this. (Flier, 1995). Of particular interest are the relatively recent findings that TNF-alpha is excessively overexpressed in adipose tissue of obese laboratory animals and humans. (Hotamisligiletal., 1995). It has now been documented that several members of the cytokine family, including TNF-alpha and IL-1, are high levels cause anorexia and disorders lipid metabolism leading to increased lipolysis in adipose tissue (GrunfeldandFeingold, 1991). In laboratory animals, TNF-alpha has been shown to increase the expression of the hormone liptin, the protein product of the obesity (ob) gene, which is found in adipose tissue. (Grunfeldetal., 1996). Liptin (the so-called lean hormone) acts on the centers of the central nervous system, causing a decrease in food intake, while possibly reducing the level of the neurotransmitter neuropeptide-Y (Schwartzet al., 1996). Neuropeptide-Y, contained in the central nervous system, is a powerful appetite stimulant.

preliminary laboratory research conducted by the authors confirmed the fact that obese cats have a markedly increased amount of TNF-alpha in the subcutaneous adipose tissue compared to cats with normal weight, and some cats with spontaneous IHL have significantly elevated levels of TNF-alpha in subcutaneous fat. The data obtained are of clinical importance and require further investigation.

Treatment

Treatment of cats with IHL is supportive and based on clinical experience and empirical observations. Early diagnosis and attention to supportive feeding has reduced overall mortality from about 100% since IHL was first diagnosed in cats to less than 30-40% observed today. A further reduction in mortality will occur only when the causes are fully disclosed this disease or metabolic disorders caused by IHL.

Standard drug treatment cats with mild to moderate IHL uncomplicated by signs of severe liver failure such as hepatoencephalopathy and bleeding disorders are shown in Table 1.

The main goal of the treatment of these cats is to provide effective systemic enteral nutrition using high-calorie food with high content proteins and feeding the cat in the least stressful environment possible until she wants to eat the appropriate amount of food herself again. Such treatment may take from several days to several months (according to the experience of the authors - from 2 to 4 weeks) and usually requires the use of a feeding tube. Appetite stimulants such as diazepam (Valium, Hoffman-LaRoche), rarely help. In addition, permanent oral administration diazepam (greater than 7 days) causes transient liver necrosis in cats (Centratal., 1996). Rehydration with a balanced parenteral polyionic electrolyte solution, preferably lactated Ringer's solution or regular Ringer's solution, should be performed prior to using the feeding tube. Because many cats with anorexia are prone to hypokalemia, their serum potassium (K+) levels should be measured. In the presence of hypokalemia (K+ in serum< 3,5 мЭкв/л) в полиионный раствор нужно дополнительно добавить калий в виде хлорида калия. Авторы обычно добавляют 16 мЭкв К+/л лактатного раствора Рингера, чтобы получить окончательную К+ концентрацию 20 мЭкв/л. Скорость intravenous administration potassium should not exceed 0.5 mEq / kg per hour in the absence of life threatening signs of hypokalemia (K+ in serum<2,5 мЭкв/л). Низкое содержание фосфора в сыворотке (<2,5 мг/дл) в результате гемолитической анемии периодически отмечается у кошек с IHL либо до, либо после начала энтерального питания с применением питательной трубки. При необходимости для борьбы с гипофосфатемией нужно добавлять фосфат калия к 0,9%- ному солевому или 5%-ному раствору декстрозы и вводить в/в. В различных источниках указываются эффективные дозы фосфата для кошек с гипофосфатемией в диапазоне от 0,011 до 0,017 ммоль фосфата/кг в час, вводимого в течение 6-12 часов (Adamsetal., 1993). By starting enteral feeding with ready-to-eat foods, cats will receive the right amount of potassium and phosphorus to prevent further problems associated with hypokalemia and hypophosphatemia.

When feeding with a feeding tube, several options for its placement are possible: nasoesophageal, by esophagostomy or gastrostomy. The choice of a particular tube depends on several factors, including the severity of the disease and the wishes of the clinician and pet owner. Nasoesophageal tubes are more suitable for short-term feeding (<5-7 дней). При таком размещении трубок общая анестезия не требуется. Из-за их сравнительно небольшого диаметра (5-8 F) может потребоваться использование жидкого питания, напримерFeline Clinic (Pet-Ag, Inc.). However, an 8F red rubber catheter is often placed and a slurry of prepared feed is introduced through it. PrescriptionDieta/d (Hill'sPetNutritionInc.) or FelineNutritionalRecoveryFormula (lamsCo.). The authors use nasoesophageal tube feeding primarily for malnourished cats and for cats with severe hepatic insufficiency, for whom anesthesia with gastrostomy feeding tube placement is a serious risk. The administration of fluid and supportive nutrition for several days may reduce the risk of anesthesia for such an animal, and a larger gastrostomy tube can be inserted during this time.

The authors prefer gastrostomy tubes over esophagostomy tubes for cats because cats are often uncomfortable with esophagostomy tubes and the associated neck wrap. The cat is choking, drooling, and the facial expression indicates discomfort and stress. Because the authors strive to avoid stress in animals, they rarely use esophagostomy tubes for enteral feeding of cats. The main advantages of the gastrostomy tube for enteral feeding of cats with IHL are the presence of large diameter tubes (up to 18 F), the ability to fairly easily introduce prepared food for cats passed through the mixer through the tube, and the relatively tolerant attitude of the sick animal to such a tube, since it is used a light bandage or it is not used at all. In the authors' experience, cats usually get so accustomed to tube feeding that the clinician has to stop tube feeding periodically to see if the cat's appetite has returned.

Several methods for inserting a gastrostomy tube have been described in various articles, including the surgical method (laparotomy), percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, and non-endoscopic percutaneous insertion. The authors prefer to use a special rod-like device (Eld's percutaneous gastrostomy feeding tube applicator - Jorgensen Laboratories) for percutaneous placement of gastrostomy tubes in cats. All previous feeding tube placement methods require general anesthesia. But with some experience, such placement can be done quickly (in 5-20 minutes). Anesthesia with isoflurane is recommended (Aeran, OhmedaPPD, Inc.), since there is no effect on liver metabolism, and the anesthetic substance is quickly removed from the body after its administration is stopped. Some veterinarians prefer to confirm correct placement of the gastrostomy tube with an abdominal X-ray. The tube is best seen when a small amount of iodinated contrast agent is injected into it before the x-ray. The outlet of the tube is closed with a sterile 4×4 gauze swab, on which a small amount of antibiotic ointment is applied, e.g. bacitracin, zinc-poimixin B sulfate (E. FougeraCo.). The tube is then wrapped in an elastic bandage that can be pulled back slightly during each feeding. In the first 12 hours, only a small amount of water is infused through the gastrostomy tube (10-15 ml every 6 hours). During this period, energy needs should be assessed and a meal plan should be developed. The accepted form for estimating energy demand is:

1.5 x .

Thus, a 5 kg cat needs approximately 1.5 x = 330 kilocalories (kcal) per day. The nutrition plan should include what food to feed the cat, how much of it should be and how often to give it. The authors used several types of food, including canned prescription Diet, c/d, p/d and a/d (Hill'sPetNutritionInc.), canned CNM Feline CV Formula (Ralston Purina Co.) and Feline Nutritional Recovery Formula (lams Co.). The authors believe that all of these diets are appropriate if affected cats do not have clinical signs of hepatic encephalopathy; at the same time, a protein-restricted diet is prescribed, for example PrescriptionDiet, k/d(Hill'sPetNutritionInc.). The authors did not establish a clear clinical benefit from the addition of nutritional supplements such as carnitine, arginine, citrulline, fish oil and zinc to feed. After determining the number of calories in the diet, it is necessary to establish the amount of feed required for the animal. Half a 15.5-ounce (440 g) can Prescription Diet/d contains about 300 kcal. Therefore, in the previous example, about half a jar is enough to provide 330 kilocalories. Many canned cat foods must be mixed with water in a mixer (1 oz of water (28.35 g) for each ounce of food) to thicken the food, though Hill's Prescription Dieta/d and FelineNutritionalRecoveryFormula(lamsCo.) usually administered directly through a tube. It is advisable to divide the food into 6 equal portions for 1 or 2 days so that the sick animal gets used to it. Before each feeding, the contents of the stomach should be aspirated and the amount of remaining food and water should be measured. With a significant balance (more than 20% of the volume of the previous portion), you need to skip feeding to reduce the likelihood of vomiting due to excessive distension of the stomach. Feeding smaller meals at more frequent intervals and the use of prokinetic drugs to improve gastric emptying may also be indicated (see below). After the introduction of nutrition, the tube should be rinsed with 10-15 ml of warm water and closed. With this mode, approximately from every 1 ml of water, the cat receives 1 ml of diluted food. Thus, it is usually not necessary to give her additional liquid.

After 1 or 2 days, gradually increase the amount of food for 1 feeding, and the frequency of feedings is reduced to bring them up to three times a day by the time the cat is sent home. This may take an additional 3 to 5 days. The most common complication is vomiting after feeding. The frequency of vomiting can be reduced by slowing the rate of feeding (10-15 minutes per feed), warming the feed to body temperature in the microwave, and giving the cat a prokinetic drug such as metoclopramide first. (Raglan, A.N. RobinsCo.) or cisapride (Propulsid, Janssen Pharmaceutica Inc.). During the hospitalization of a sick animal, the authors usually administer metoclopramide 0.4 mg/kg subcutaneously every 8 hours approximately 15 minutes before each of the three daily feedings through the tube. If sporadic vomiting continues at home, metoclopramide (0.4 mg/kg every 8 hours) or cisapride (2.5-5 mg per cat every 8 hours) can be given via gastrostomy tube approximately 30 minutes before feeding through the tube . The doctor needs to be on the lookout for other possible causes of vomiting, such as increased liver failure, pancreatitis, or complications associated with feeding through a feeding tube (cellulitis, abscess, peritonitis), if indicated. Table 2 lists drugs used for disorders associated with IHL in cats.

Liver lipidosis in cats is a fairly common disease. In another way, the disease is called fatty degeneration. What does this mean? The disease is associated with the accumulation of fat in the liver cells.

By the way, most often, lipidosis is a disease of cats that lead a sedentary lifestyle. And which ends badly and sadly. May or may not be fatal.

Description of the disease. What is lipidosis in simple terms?

Lipidosis can be explained in different ways.

1. To put it as simply as possible, this is a pathology in which the liver of cats becomes like a piece of fat. That is, there is a fatty degeneration of liver tissue. So that the functionality of this body completely disappears. Of course, for this reason, the disease is catastrophically dangerous. And not just for kitties.
2. Given the importance of the liver for the body of cats, as well as for humans, it is not difficult to guess the consequences.
3. In the majority of cases, the disease is idiopathic (i.e. without a specific cause).
4. But any obese cat has a considerable “chance” of developing lipidosis. Additionally enhances these chances. Stress refers to situations like: if the owner decides to drastically change the type of food or if the kitty suffers from a parallel disease and other factors, for example:

• protracted repairs;
• moving to a new place;
• if another animal or baby appeared in the family;
• bacterial infections of various kinds.

In general, this disease is divided into two types:

• Primary.
• Secondary.

The first named type of disease is typical for cats that are kept in apartments and suffer.

The reason for this form of lipidosis: the accumulation of a considerable amount of fat in the liver cells. Fats are also called lipids.

Hence the name of the disease. They change cell morphology and lead to acute hepatopathy.

If we talk about secondary lipidosis, then in both dogs and cats, the disease is a neuro-endocrine response to the disease that was primary. It could be:

• pancreatitis;
• diabetes;
• various inflammatory bowel diseases;
• hyperthyroidism, etc.

The secondary form is less associated with cat obesity.

Reference!

The disease is observed in animals of any age and. But most often it occurs in middle-aged cats. (i.e. they must be more than 2 years old).

Symptoms

Lipidosis of the liver is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• a painful appearance is pronounced, they seem to grow old;
• animals have sharp skin and coat;
• in behavior there is lethargy, apathy;
• cats lose their appetite;
• they develop exhaustion, and progressive.

Attention!

Unfortunately, the above signs develop extremely slowly. Therefore, few owners will notice them. Therefore, the cats get to "Dr. Aibolit", being in the state of a living skeleton.

Diagnostics

The disease looks especially scary in the case of cats with long hair. Exhaustion is not so visible to them. But if the animal is felt, every rib, every vertebra is felt.

Reference!

Often there are cases of sporadic vomiting. Gradually, jaundice may develop.

To be sure of the diagnosis, you need to conduct additional examinations:

• evaluation of a biochemical blood test;
• general clinical blood tests.

Visual diagnostic methods

Among the visual diagnostic methods, the following are distinguished:

• X-ray of the abdominal cavity (will give an opportunity to determine the size of the liver. If the diagnosis is confirmed, it should increase in size.)
• Ultrasound of the liver. In this study, it is possible to determine the structure of the organ, a pattern specific to this disease.
• The most accurate method is a biopsy. Perhaps subsequent histological and cytological studies.
• Also, the diagnosis is made on the basis of a urine test, and other laboratory tests.

Treatment

If the disease is serious or progressive, inpatient treatment is indispensable. During it, doctors give the cat infusion therapy.

During this therapy, doctors take measures to combat electrolyte imbalance and dehydration in the animal.

As soon as the condition of the animal stabilizes, it can already be taken home.

The main point of treatment is to provide the animal with effective systemic enteral nutrition. This goal is realized by using food with a large number of calories. And in it, which is very important, it should contain a lot of protein.

It is also important to feed your cat in the least stressful environment possible.

Treatment continues until the cat wants to eat the right amount of food.

Such treatment can take from several days to even several months. But usually, the duration of treatment is 2-4 weeks.

Sometimes (more precisely, very often) the use of feeding tubes of different types is required.

The most commonly used types of tubes are:

• Nasogastric tube. This tube is inserted into the stomach through the nose and stitched. It allows the introduction of liquid food and is very easy to use.
• Esophagostomy. This tube is large enough to be inserted into the esophagus through a small incision in the neck. It is more convenient to use, but requires anesthesia.
• Gastric tube (or gastrostomy). Place this tube only when the animal has been given an injection of anesthesia. The tube must be inserted using endoscopy. But practice proves that this tube is the most convenient to use of all possible.

You can feed a cat through tubes only with special diet food.

Forecasts

The prognosis of the course, as well as the development of the disease, is very doubtful. What it will be depends entirely on the timely diagnosis.

If the disease is not treated, it may well lead to progressive liver failure and end, most likely, in death.

The basis of treatment is diet therapy, and its meaning lies in the gradual restoration of the structure of the liver to the physiological norm.

In the treatment of lipidosis, hepatoprotectors are prescribed (i.e. drugs that improve the functioning of the liver) and so-called symptomatic therapy is carried out. In the case of dehydration (it is also dehydration), infusion therapy (i.e. dropper therapy) is indicated.

Useful video

Read more about feline liver lipidosis in the video below.

Conclusion

This feline disease is in principle curable. Most often. But this can only be in the case of a timely diagnosis. If the diagnosis is made on time, and the owner is attentive and not inclined to "run" his cat, then the disease is likely to be defeated.

Lipidosis in cats and cats is a pathological condition in which a large amount of fat accumulates in the liver cells. As a result of tissue degeneration, fatty degeneration occurs - more than half of the liver cells contain fat. As a result, the body can not cope with the load, works intermittently, and eventually completely loses its functionality.

In veterinary practice, the disease is classified as:

• Primary lipidosis of the liver. It appears with the same frequency in animals suffering from anorexia and obesity. Without proper treatment, the cat dies.
• Secondary - occurs as a complication and needs treatment along with the main disease.

The reasons

Fatty liver disease is associated with various causes. It often develops against the background of infectious diseases, poisoning with toxins, oncology.

In recent years, veterinarians are increasingly diagnosing lipidosis in animals that have previously been diagnosed with:

• diabetes;
• cardiac pathologies;
• kidney failure;
• urogenital pathologies;
• hyperthyroidism;
• beriberi, especially B12 deficiency;
• pathology of the respiratory system;
• pancreatitis;
• diseases of the neurological group;
• autoimmune disorders.

In every second case, it is not possible to establish the exact cause, so in half of the cats the diagnosis sounds like “idiopathic lipidosis”.

Risk group

The main risk group is made up of individuals of mature age, regardless of gender, kept in apartments without free range. Cats that live permanently with a person lead a sedentary lifestyle, often overeat. In their natural environment, they are forced to hunt to feed themselves. Activity does not allow fat to accumulate.

The risk of developing pathology is also in cats that are under stress for a long time. The cause of stress can be a change of scenery, the appearance of another animal in the apartment, changes in the usual diet, long-term repairs.

Lipidosis in cats can develop against the background of another disease, therefore, during its treatment, it is important for owners to pay attention to the symptoms characteristic of liver damage, any changes in the behavior of a pet.

Symptoms

The first thing that catches your eye is the painful appearance of the animal. The cat is rapidly aging, losing weight. Wool fades, breaks in places, skin condition worsens.

It is important! Owners of long-haired breeds need to be especially careful. Behind a dense woolen cover, a sharp weight loss is not immediately noticeable, but when probing, the fingers will clearly feel the vertebrae and protruding ribs.

You can also suspect liver lipidosis in cats by other symptoms:

• Lack of appetite for 10-14 days.
• A state close to lethargy.
• Vomiting, stool disorders.
• Lethargy.
• Depressed state.
• Increased salivation.

Even one of these symptoms is a serious cause for concern. You should immediately contact a veterinary clinic if the pet has lost more than ¼ of its own weight in a matter of days, freezes for some time for no reason.

At the initial stage, characteristic signs may not appear - the disease progresses gradually. In the future, cats show symptoms of jaundice - the eye protein acquires a yellow tint, a yellow coating appears on the tissues in the oral cavity.

This condition indicates severe liver damage and is often accompanied by increased salivation, impaired blood clotting.

Attention! The chances of a full recovery without serious disorders in the body of the animal are high if the disease is recognized in a timely manner and qualified treatment is prescribed. The liver is a special organ, its cells and tissues are capable of self-healing and renewal.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of liver lipidosis is carried out in a clinical setting. The veterinarian listens to the owners' complaints, examines the cat, prescribes a set of laboratory and instrumental studies:

• general blood analysis;
• general urine analysis;
• blood chemistry;
• aminotransferases AST and ALT;
• bilirubin.

The results of the studies allow us to evaluate the functionality of the liver. To visualize the lesions, an ultrasound or x-ray is prescribed. These studies give an idea of ​​the structural changes in the organ, the severity of the changes that have occurred.

A biopsy allows you to determine the pathology with 100% accuracy. The cat is anesthetized and a small piece of the organ is taken for examination. The sampling is done with an aspiration needle. Then the material is examined under a microscope, the contents of the cells are determined and an accurate diagnosis is made. With a progressive disease, there will be fat in place of normal cells.

Attention! When taking the material, there is a risk of internal bleeding, because it is impossible to exclude the perforation of a large blood vessel with a needle. To prevent the consequences, vitamin K is administered to the animal 12 hours before the biopsy.

Treatment

Treatment of lipidosis in cats is carried out in a hospital or outpatient setting. A stay in a hospital is indicated if the disease is severe, with complications, as well as during surgery.

Outpatient therapy is prescribed for animals experiencing severe stress. In the usual home conditions, it is easier to overcome it, and this is necessary for medical reasons, since stress aggravates the course of the disease.

In the process of treatment, it is important to restore the normal nutrition of pets. For this purpose, special industrial feeds are used. If the food is disgusting, the cat is inserted into a probe through which liquid food is slowly introduced. Sometimes feeding through a tube lasts a month or more - until the animal begins to feed on its own.

Cats with fatty degeneration are prescribed droppers to maintain and restore water balance in the body. Their composition is prescribed by the doctor, focusing on the results of laboratory tests.

Therapy also includes taking antiemetic drugs, and in severe liver damage - vitamins. Vitamins are prescribed necessarily, because due to problems with the organ, hypovitaminosis develops in cats and complicates the course of the disease.

Preparations, dosage, duration of administration, the veterinarian prescribes individually. For immunocompromised animals, he may prescribe antibiotics to prevent complications and the development of infectious diseases.

Forecasts

When pathology is detected at an early stage and timely treatment, the prognosis is favorable. The severe course of lipidosis ends in death in 30% of cases, even if the animal received a course of intensive care.

The recovery period is long, it takes 1.5-2 months - the owners will have to keep the pet on a strict diet all this time and feed it through a tube or intravenously.

Like any disease, lipidosis is easier to prevent than to cure. In order to prevent the diet of cats should be balanced and of high quality. Cheap or expired food is prohibited.

The food should have enough protein, but it should not be high in calories. Owners need to ensure that the pet does not develop obesity. If he refuses food for 2 days, you need to urgently contact the veterinarian.