Hepatic Lipidosis (Fatty liver)

Hepatic Lipidosis (Fatty liver) is a common liver disease in cats. It can occur in cats that are experiencing anorexia and/or weight loss secondary to an illness, injury or lack of food. Sometimes no underlying cause can be identified. Cats that are obese are at an increased risk for this disease.

The symptoms a cat with fatty liver may show are weight loss, poor appetite, vomiting and lethargy. There may also be a yellow tinge to their skin or gums (jaundice.) Diagnosis of fatty liver is based on physical exam, history and blood tests. Sometimes radiographs (x-rays) and a liver biopsy are needed.

The treatment of a cat with fatty liver encompasses many things. The most important part of the regimen is nutritional support. These cats must eat a balanced diet. If they cannot or will not eat on their own, they must be helped. This may be as simple as hand feeding them 6–8 times a day or as significant as surgically placing a feeding tube in their esophagus so that a liquid diet may be fed.

In addition to the nutritional support, any underlying disease must be treated. This frequently involves antibiotics, anti-vomiting medication, vitamins and intravenous fluid support. These cats are in a very fragile state and should be stressed as little as possible.

Prevention of fatty liver falls into 2 categories. The first is controlling the cats’ weight in order to prevent obesity. An obese cat that is on a weight loss plan needs to be watched carefully for any signs of ill health. Secondly, if an obese cat should become ill, the disease needs to be diagnosed and treated aggressively in order to prevent fatty liver from occurring secondary to the illness.

The prognosis for cats suffering from fatty liver varies greatly. If the cat is eating and not vomiting, greater than 70% survive with the proper supportive care. Survival also depends on the severity of underlying illness/injury.

In summary, fatty liver is a very serious, life-threatening disease seen in cats. Treatment must be rapid, aggressive and sustained if the pet is to survive. This requires a commitment from the veterinary staff and more importantly from the cats’ owners. Recovery can take weeks to even months.