Feline hepatic lipidosis

Hepatic lipidosis is a occurring in domestic cats form of acute fatty liver.

Occurrence

It occurs mainly in obese cats, but also in pregnant and lactating cats and in located in the growth phase pups after a period with increased mobilization of fat reserves (hunger, lack of appetite, stress) as a result of the change of metabolism in which the liver with their enzymes plays an important role. This female animals fall ill twice as often as men. Also, diabetes mellitus, toxic drugs and a lack of arginine and ornithine in order to be awarded in the pathogenesis meaning.

Clinical manifestations

Affected animals are chopped off, no longer eat and show dehydration and jaundice. As a result of the ongoing weight loss it comes to muscle loss and anorexia. Later it comes to central nervous symptoms such as rigidity, coma, and urging his head against the wall. In addition, occur in phases ( intermittent) on vomiting and diarrhea. Also, coagulation disorders ( bleeding diathesis with melena ).

Methods of investigation

The blood count shows a slight, non-regenerative anemia. In the blood, there is an increase in the activities of the liver enzymes ALT and GLDH. In part of the content of bilirubin, albumin, bile acids, and ammonia is increased. Jaundice (icterus) is also detectable by a urine test.

On ultrasonography shows up in the liver, a diffuse hyperechoic compaction.

An accurate diagnosis can only be made by fine- needle aspiration biopsy of the liver with subsequent histopathological examination. The problem is the high risk of anesthesia in cats already infected and the high tendency to bleed.

Treatment

The main problem in the development of disease, lack of food intake must be eliminated, if necessary by force-feeding. It should be applied daily about 80 kcal / kg body mass and 50-60 ml water / kg body mass. An increase in appetite with diazepam can be attempted. Because of coagulation disorders Vitamin K is administered mostly.

The healing of view is strongly dependent on the degree of intensive treatment. Even with consistent therapy healing view is only 60 %.