Cat Fatty Liver: Prevention and Treatment Guide for Cats Who Dont Eat
Cat Fatty Liver: Prevention and Treatment Guide for Cats Who Don't Eat
When it comes to fatty liver, do you think only chubby cats are prone to it? Actually, no! Both fat and thin cats can develop fatty liver! And while human fatty liver is often caused by overeating, feline fatty liver is more likely to occur due to not eating enough. Today, we'll delve into the details of feline fatty liver:
I. What is Feline Fatty Liver?
As the name suggests, it refers to the accumulation of large amounts of fatty acids in liver cells, leading to fatty degeneration. A normal liver transforms into this:
[Image: Normal Liver vs. Fatty Liver]
Feline fatty liver is the most common liver disease in cats, also known as feline hepatic lipidosis. Its primary characteristic is the accumulation of triglycerides or neutral fats in more than 80% of liver cells. Fatty liver is very dangerous for cats. The liver is the largest and most important organ in a cat's body, and if it malfunctions, it can be fatal if not treated promptly.
II. Why Do Cats Develop Fatty Liver?
1. Firstly, feline fatty liver can be divided into primary and secondary.
Primary feline fatty liver is more common and often discussed. It is usually caused by a reduction in food supply, poor food palatability, or environmental stress (such as changing cat food, bringing a new pet home, or the owner going on a trip), leading to decreased food intake. Secondary FHL is caused by anorexia due to other underlying conditions, which include diabetes, pancreatitis, cholangitis, gastrointestinal diseases, kidney failure, and tumors.
2. So why does reduced food intake lead to fatty liver?
This is because when a cat doesn't eat for an extended period, its body lacks energy. To maintain the energy it needs, the body breaks down fat, converting it into fatty acids and sending them to the liver for oxidation. However, when fatty acids enter liver cells, they require L-carnitine for oxidation. But due to prolonged fasting in cats, L-carnitine becomes relatively or absolutely deficient, preventing the breakdown of fatty acids. This leads to their accumulation in the liver. When the lipid content in the liver exceeds 5% of the total liver weight, it can cause fatty liver.
3. How long does a cat need to abstain from food for the risk of fatty liver to arise?
Generally, cats who fast for more than 3 days have a very high risk of fatty liver. However, this is not a 100% certainty, as some cats may have a reduced appetite and develop fatty liver even after a couple of weeks of anorexia.
4. Are overweight cats more prone to developing fatty liver?
We cannot say they are more prone, but they may develop it faster under similar conditions. For example, if two cats, one obese and one lean, fast simultaneously, the obese cat may develop fatty liver slightly quicker. However, the underlying mechanism of the disease is the same.
III. What are the Symptoms of Feline Fatty Liver?
When it comes to fatty liver, you might immediately think of jaundice. That's true; jaundice is one symptom, but it appears in the later stages, indicating a serious condition. Once jaundice develops, the prognosis might be poor. We need to detect any abnormalities in our cats early, conduct timely examinations, and provide prompt treatment. If your cat persistently doesn't eat, is anorexic, or has a reduced appetite, be vigilant.
Early Symptoms of Fatty Liver:
Generally, there are no noticeable symptoms, the cat's spirit remains good, with only slight reductions in appetite, lethargy, and occasional vomiting.
Intermediate Symptoms of Feline Fatty Liver:
Anorexia begins, weight loss occurs, the cat becomes lethargic and even more sleepy, there are intermittent episodes of vomiting and diarrhea, dehydration, fever, and the urine color darkens or becomes yellow.
Late Symptoms of Feline Fatty Liver:
The abdomen becomes distended (enlarged liver), jaundice develops (inner ears, gums, and eyes turn yellow), and in rare cases, symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy may appear (drooling, confusion, and neurological symptoms like spasms).
Overall, the clinical symptoms of most major liver and biliary diseases are similar. In addition to nonspecific systemic symptoms like lethargy, anorexia, and weight loss, jaundice and various degrees of liver enlargement are the most common clinical manifestations. Earlier treatment leads to better recovery. If you observe that your cat is listless, has abnormal eating habits, and is vomiting, it's best to take it to a nearby veterinary clinic for examination.
IV. How is Feline Fatty Liver Diagnosed?
Diagnosing feline fatty liver is not difficult:
Cat has been abstaining from food or is anorexic
Liver enlargement or jaundice is detected upon palpation
Laboratory tests are needed for confirmation.
What laboratory tests can diagnose fatty liver?
1. Biochemical Tests: ALT (alanine aminotransferase) is elevated 2-5 times, reaching 10 times in severe cases, while GGT (gamma-glutamyl transferase) remains normal or slightly increased. However, if GGT increases significantly, consider other concurrent diseases. Hypoproteinemia, reduced BUN concentration, and electrolyte abnormalities (hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, and hypophosphatemia) may also occur.
2. Imaging Tests: Ultrasound examination reveals diffuse hyperechoic liver with varying degrees of enlargement.
3. Urine Tests: Increased levels of bile acids and bilirubin.
V. How to Care for and Treat Feline Fatty Liver?
What treatments are typically employed for cats with fatty liver?
Fluid Therapy: Since cats in this condition are usually severely dehydrated, prompt fluid administration is crucial to prevent immediate death. Physiological saline or lactated Ringer's solution can be used. Glucose is contraindicated.
Electrolyte Correction: Affected cats often experience electrolyte disturbances (low potassium, low magnesium, or low phosphorus). If electrolyte abnormalities are not corrected before nutritional management, insulin release after feeding can further worsen the disturbances.
Nutritional Management: If the cat is anorexic and refuses to eat, do not force-feed! This can worsen anorexia and the food intake may not be sufficient to meet the body's needs. Therefore, nasogastric tubes, esophagostomy tubes, or gastrostomy tubes are recommended.
Antiemetics: When a cat experiences nausea and vomiting, consider using antiemetics and gastrointestinal protectants.
Antibiotics: Due to frequent complications like suppurative cholangitis, antibiotics are necessary.
Hepatoprotective Treatment: Hepatoprotective medications are generally used to enhance liver function, aiming to increase glutathione levels in the cat's body. Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that protects liver cells from toxins and apoptosis.
VI. How to Prevent Feline Fatty Liver?
Prevention is crucial. It's safe to say that by taking preventive measures, cats are unlikely to develop fatty liver. No matter what, ensure your cat eats regularly! Keep a daily record of your cat's food intake. If there is an unexplained decrease in appetite, pay immediate attention. Identify the reason behind your cat's anorexia or refusal to eat: factors like a reduction in food supply, poor food palatability, or environmental stress (changing cat food, bringing a new pet home, or the owner going on a trip) can lead to reduced food intake.
Maintain a stable and comfortable environment to reduce your cat's stress. Try not to stimulate your cat and reduce stress, especially shy cats who are easily frightened! Avoid using medications that can cause liver damage. Maintain your cat's healthy body shape. Don't prioritize weight gain over health. If your cat needs to lose weight, do it gradually, not through dieting.
In short, make sure your cat eats regularly!
心得经验总结：
Preventing and treating feline fatty liver is a systematic process. Owners need to carefully observe their cats' daily routines, detect problems promptly, and seek veterinary assistance. Hopefully, this article will help you better understand feline fatty liver and take appropriate preventive and treatment measures to keep your cat healthy and happy by your side!
When it comes to fatty liver, do you think only chubby cats are prone to it? Actually, no! Both fat and thin cats can develop fatty liver! And while human fatty liver is often caused by overeating, feline fatty liver is more likely to occur due to not eating enough. Today, we'll delve into the details of feline fatty liver:
I. What is Feline Fatty Liver?
As the name suggests, it refers to the accumulation of large amounts of fatty acids in liver cells, leading to fatty degeneration. A normal liver transforms into this:
[Image: Normal Liver vs. Fatty Liver]
Feline fatty liver is the most common liver disease in cats, also known as feline hepatic lipidosis. Its primary characteristic is the accumulation of triglycerides or neutral fats in more than 80% of liver cells. Fatty liver is very dangerous for cats. The liver is the largest and most important organ in a cat's body, and if it malfunctions, it can be fatal if not treated promptly.
II. Why Do Cats Develop Fatty Liver?
1. Firstly, feline fatty liver can be divided into primary and secondary.
Primary feline fatty liver is more common and often discussed. It is usually caused by a reduction in food supply, poor food palatability, or environmental stress (such as changing cat food, bringing a new pet home, or the owner going on a trip), leading to decreased food intake. Secondary FHL is caused by anorexia due to other underlying conditions, which include diabetes, pancreatitis, cholangitis, gastrointestinal diseases, kidney failure, and tumors.
2. So why does reduced food intake lead to fatty liver?
This is because when a cat doesn't eat for an extended period, its body lacks energy. To maintain the energy it needs, the body breaks down fat, converting it into fatty acids and sending them to the liver for oxidation. However, when fatty acids enter liver cells, they require L-carnitine for oxidation. But due to prolonged fasting in cats, L-carnitine becomes relatively or absolutely deficient, preventing the breakdown of fatty acids. This leads to their accumulation in the liver. When the lipid content in the liver exceeds 5% of the total liver weight, it can cause fatty liver.
3. How long does a cat need to abstain from food for the risk of fatty liver to arise?
Generally, cats who fast for more than 3 days have a very high risk of fatty liver. However, this is not a 100% certainty, as some cats may have a reduced appetite and develop fatty liver even after a couple of weeks of anorexia.
4. Are overweight cats more prone to developing fatty liver?
We cannot say they are more prone, but they may develop it faster under similar conditions. For example, if two cats, one obese and one lean, fast simultaneously, the obese cat may develop fatty liver slightly quicker. However, the underlying mechanism of the disease is the same.
III. What are the Symptoms of Feline Fatty Liver?
When it comes to fatty liver, you might immediately think of jaundice. That's true; jaundice is one symptom, but it appears in the later stages, indicating a serious condition. Once jaundice develops, the prognosis might be poor. We need to detect any abnormalities in our cats early, conduct timely examinations, and provide prompt treatment. If your cat persistently doesn't eat, is anorexic, or has a reduced appetite, be vigilant.
Early Symptoms of Fatty Liver:
Generally, there are no noticeable symptoms, the cat's spirit remains good, with only slight reductions in appetite, lethargy, and occasional vomiting.
Intermediate Symptoms of Feline Fatty Liver:
Anorexia begins, weight loss occurs, the cat becomes lethargic and even more sleepy, there are intermittent episodes of vomiting and diarrhea, dehydration, fever, and the urine color darkens or becomes yellow.
Late Symptoms of Feline Fatty Liver:
The abdomen becomes distended (enlarged liver), jaundice develops (inner ears, gums, and eyes turn yellow), and in rare cases, symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy may appear (drooling, confusion, and neurological symptoms like spasms).
Overall, the clinical symptoms of most major liver and biliary diseases are similar. In addition to nonspecific systemic symptoms like lethargy, anorexia, and weight loss, jaundice and various degrees of liver enlargement are the most common clinical manifestations. Earlier treatment leads to better recovery. If you observe that your cat is listless, has abnormal eating habits, and is vomiting, it's best to take it to a nearby veterinary clinic for examination.
IV. How is Feline Fatty Liver Diagnosed?
Diagnosing feline fatty liver is not difficult:
Cat has been abstaining from food or is anorexic
Liver enlargement or jaundice is detected upon palpation
Laboratory tests are needed for confirmation.
What laboratory tests can diagnose fatty liver?
1. Biochemical Tests: ALT (alanine aminotransferase) is elevated 2-5 times, reaching 10 times in severe cases, while GGT (gamma-glutamyl transferase) remains normal or slightly increased. However, if GGT increases significantly, consider other concurrent diseases. Hypoproteinemia, reduced BUN concentration, and electrolyte abnormalities (hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, and hypophosphatemia) may also occur.
2. Imaging Tests: Ultrasound examination reveals diffuse hyperechoic liver with varying degrees of enlargement.
3. Urine Tests: Increased levels of bile acids and bilirubin.
V. How to Care for and Treat Feline Fatty Liver?
What treatments are typically employed for cats with fatty liver?
Fluid Therapy: Since cats in this condition are usually severely dehydrated, prompt fluid administration is crucial to prevent immediate death. Physiological saline or lactated Ringer's solution can be used. Glucose is contraindicated.
Electrolyte Correction: Affected cats often experience electrolyte disturbances (low potassium, low magnesium, or low phosphorus). If electrolyte abnormalities are not corrected before nutritional management, insulin release after feeding can further worsen the disturbances.
Nutritional Management: If the cat is anorexic and refuses to eat, do not force-feed! This can worsen anorexia and the food intake may not be sufficient to meet the body's needs. Therefore, nasogastric tubes, esophagostomy tubes, or gastrostomy tubes are recommended.
Antiemetics: When a cat experiences nausea and vomiting, consider using antiemetics and gastrointestinal protectants.
Antibiotics: Due to frequent complications like suppurative cholangitis, antibiotics are necessary.
Hepatoprotective Treatment: Hepatoprotective medications are generally used to enhance liver function, aiming to increase glutathione levels in the cat's body. Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that protects liver cells from toxins and apoptosis.
VI. How to Prevent Feline Fatty Liver?
Prevention is crucial. It's safe to say that by taking preventive measures, cats are unlikely to develop fatty liver. No matter what, ensure your cat eats regularly! Keep a daily record of your cat's food intake. If there is an unexplained decrease in appetite, pay immediate attention. Identify the reason behind your cat's anorexia or refusal to eat: factors like a reduction in food supply, poor food palatability, or environmental stress (changing cat food, bringing a new pet home, or the owner going on a trip) can lead to reduced food intake.
Maintain a stable and comfortable environment to reduce your cat's stress. Try not to stimulate your cat and reduce stress, especially shy cats who are easily frightened! Avoid using medications that can cause liver damage. Maintain your cat's healthy body shape. Don't prioritize weight gain over health. If your cat needs to lose weight, do it gradually, not through dieting.
In short, make sure your cat eats regularly!
心得经验总结：
Preventing and treating feline fatty liver is a systematic process. Owners need to carefully observe their cats' daily routines, detect problems promptly, and seek veterinary assistance. Hopefully, this article will help you better understand feline fatty liver and take appropriate preventive and treatment measures to keep your cat healthy and happy by your side!
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