Cat Ailments A to Z - Fatty Liver

The actual  medical term for Fatty Liver is Hepatic Lipidosis

In regards to the liver - Fatty Liver is the most common severe liver disease in cats.

The liver's main functions include:

• Protein synthesis 
• Metabolism
• Emulsification of fats
• Production of coagulation factors (necessary for blood clotting)
• Decomposition of red blood cells. 

There is no way to compensate for the loss of the liver when it fails.

In humans, if there is a period of time where we go undernourished or unable to eat for some reason - our body will automatically move fat from its reserves to the liver to be converted into lipoproteins for energy.

Cat's bodies are not designed this way. 
If a cat goes through a similar period of starvation, the fat that is released does not get processed efficiently by the liver.
As the fat accumulates in the liver it becomes swollen and turns yellow.

As I have  mentioned times before - Cats are obligatory carnivores.
They need meat.
They have a high requirement for protein that needs to be met.
The lack of protein or the inability to process proteines will quickly develop into malnutrition.

This condition often occurs along side or due to:

• Periods of stress
• Changes in diet
• Diabetes
• Kidney disease
• Cancer
• Aggressive weight loss attempts by owners
• Being Lost
• Liver Disease
• Pancreatitus

This generally effects middle aged cats but is not limited to this age range.
Rapid Weight Loss in Over Weight Cats can also cause Fatty Liver

 

Symptoms:

• Prolonged Anorexia ( no appetite or refusal to eat)
• Hiding in unusual places
• Weakness or lethargy
• Jaundice
• Drooling
• Vomiting
• Dehydration
• Small fecal clumps in the litter box (due to lack of eating)
• Constipation
• Collapse
• Weight loss
• Muscle wasting
• A weakened neck- Downward Flexion (the head hangs down more than usual with a chin tuck) 
• Depression
• Rapid Weight Loss

When untreated or in severe cases — signs of liver failure can include:

• Black tarry stool
• Bruising (abnormal clotting)
• Coma (from the liver poisons building up in the body)
• Abnormal behavior progressing to seizures
• Death

 See here for was a vet can find a Diagnoses

Treatment 

Main treatment for this is having your cats protein requirements met immediately
How to do that requires many different aspects.
Treatment typically requires 24/7 care for several days to include the following:

• IV fluids to help treat dehydration
• Placement of a temporary feeding tube to provide adequate calories (this may be necessary for several weeks)
• Anti-vomiting medication
• Appetite stimulants
• Antibiotics
• Vitamin K (to help fix clotting problems if abnormal)
• Potentially plasma transfusions (if severe clotting problems are noted)

Recovery is seen in most cats - with veterinary care - within 3-6 weeks

Have you ever seen jaundice in a cat? 
I haven't so here are some images ( don't worry, none will be upsetting )

 Reminds me of holding a buttercup flower up to someones face
Or a Cheezie thief

The ears can't eat cheezies, so something is up.

Since cats generally do not eat the yummy mouth staining candy or drinks...Jaundice..

I don't like the pictures of the eye - so I will explain. If your cat has yellow where there is normally white - Jaundice




I came across something I have never seen before, and was very impressed.
If you ever have to put a kitty on a feeding tube- I am going to show you something that will hopefully help take the fear and possibly the distress away from having to do so.

This is the Kitty Kollar. 

It is designed for E Tubes - Esophageal feeding tubes.
The site has good information and worth a look (click on the picture to get to the site)

When we think about having to use a feeding tube for our cats... well it is not a nice thought.
Mostly because the idea of seeing our meows in any sort of distress causes us to basically become emotional wrecks.
If your vet suggests a feeding tube such as an E-Tube - breathe.. once the tube is in place and you have been shown how to use it...kitty will start feeling better.
When kitty feels better.. we feel better.
Personally I have no experience with feeding tubes - the thought, before seeing the kitty kollar was 3 fold
My Poor Meow!
Holy Crap I would totally do this wrong
I don't think I could look at my kitty every day and not become a basket case

We really need to use the cute factor more.
Seriously, it helps.
Oxygen masks for kids that are made to look like cute animals or something fun.
Walkers  and Wheelchairs for children that are designed to look like race cars or something less old man like.
If the Dentist had less scary equipment...naw.. I would still be terrified.
But you get my point. We are emotionally effected by visual things.