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.
 

Pet Food Ingredients - N - Names - k/d ,l/d - Kidney - Liver

Names continued-

k/d-Renal Health   


        Kidney Disease Information
                  More Information


Ingredients - 

Brewers Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Pork Fat, Chicken By-Product Meal, Dried Egg Product, Dried Chicken, Powdered Cellulose, Fish Meal, Lactic Acid, Calcium Carbonate, Chicken Liver Flavor, Dried Beet Pulp, DL-Methionine, Potassium Citrate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Taurine, Iodized Salt, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, L-Tryptophan, Phosphoric Acid, Beta-Carotene, Natural Flavors.

How it is stated to help-

• Reduced levels of protein to help minimize kidney workload
• Reduced phosphorus to help maintain healthy kidney function and minimize stress on kidneys
• Reduced sodium to help maintain normal blood pressure
• Increased levels of omega-3 fatty acids to support kidney health
• Increased levels of B-complex vitamins to compensate urinary losses
• Added antioxidants to control cell oxidation and promote a healthy immune system

Wait a second.. you want to give a cat with kidney issues a dry food?

Am I missing something here? 

Isn't protein rather important for all aspects of kitty life?

Could it be that your version of protein sucks??

Could you possibly be selling a product that has ingredients in it that are the possible main reason for the rise of Kidney issues in felines?

Is it possible. 

But I could be totally wrong. 

•  After taking a little walk on the web, I have learned that low vs high protein is under debate. 

In order to repair kidney cell damage and increase blood flow and volume - protein is needed.  

• Carnivores need protein.

•  Many of these cats are under weight and anemic 

•  They need protein 

• Carnitine becomes depleted in cats with renal failure  - red meats are high in Carnitine, so are other lean meats and fish.

Read this

I am sticking with my instinct on this one... and ..

Natures Variety - Instinct Grain Free Chicken 


High quality protein
Low Phosphorus
Available in Rabbit, Duck, Beef, Venison, Salmon, Lamb, Pork.

Betcha Fluffy could find one it likes. 

*One of the main things I read on all the sites  - Kitty needs to eat!
If kitty will only eat MeowChow in Gravy - then give kitty MeowChow in Gravy!


Figure it out, try things - start with the good stuff - then add a bit of the not so good. 
Kinda like ordering a salad on the side of Chicken Nuggets..
What ever works. 

Sadly, most kidney diseases are not caught early. You can blame their body for that one.. they seem to have a back up plan that fails to alert the animal or human  - after that - Kitty may have irreversible damage.

So how can someone try to prevent this? 

Wet Food or a Raw Food Diet may be helpful.

A chronically dehydrated cat ( which is basically what happens to a dry food fed only kitty) has a higher chance of kidney issues - that makes sense right?


Feed Fluffy wet food..Fluffy probably wants wet food. 
Fluffy may want really cheap wet food.
Fluffy will have to at least meet you half way - go for a mix of high and medium quality wet food. 
Low quality only if Fluffy goes on hunger strike. 

A medium quality food to me would be Canidae, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Natural Balance, Nutro. Stuff like that.

******************

l/d - Feline Hepatic Health (Liver)

Ingredients - 

Brewers Rice, Chicken by-Product Meal, Pork Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), Soybean Meal, Pasta Product, Pork Protein Isolate, Soy Fiber, Dried Egg Product, Fish Meal, Lactic Acid, Chicken Liver Flavor, Soybean Oil, Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Powdered Cellulose, Taurine, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Menadione Dimethylypyrimidinol Bisulfite (source of vitamin K)), DL-Methionine, Calcium Sulfate, L-Carnitine, minerals (Zinc Oxide, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), L-Arginine, preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid, Phosphoric Acid, Rosemary Extract, Beta-carotene.

How it is stated to help - 

• High quality and highly digestible protein in moderate quantities to help reduce liver workload and helps maintain liver function
• Added L-Carnitine to help maintain normal fat metabolism in the liver
• Reduced in sodium to help maintain normal blood pressure
• Added antioxidant nutrients like vitamin E and C to control cell oxidation and promote a healthy immune system

High quality proteins?
Where? I see 4-D chicken and lard. 



Different sites have been stating that it is important to have a low copper - high zinc diet. 
Copper and Zinc Biological Role

I am not sure what I just read... but I did catch -

• When the liver is not functioning properly  - copper accumulates

• Meat is high in copper but it is also high in zinc which needs to be available along with manganese for proper absorption and metabolism of Copper.

• Though it is best to avoid foods that are high in copper - it is smarter to avoid foods that are high in copper but not also high in zinc. 

I found some sites that talk about Wilson's Disease  - this is not the same but copper is restricted so it gives good information on what to eat and what not to eat.

• A Chicken and Oatmeal formula may work - maybe ask your vet about the possibility of a food like that.

• Beef and Rice is also an option. 

• A home made meal might be the best course for your kitty - ask your vet if that is an option. 

* since water is very important- water can have a high copper content. Copper pipeing also adds to the levels in water.

Think about filtered water- ask about the options other than tap water.

There are certain things we can not change - genetics, birth defects, aging - all beyond our ability to control. 

We can control what we put down in front of our pets to eat. 
That is up to us.