The liver is one of the most vulnerable organs in cats. It filters toxins, but an overload of toxins can lead to liver failure. Some pets are genetically predisposed to liver failure, while vitamin deficiencies can cause liver dysfunction in other animals, especially cats. A bacterial or viral infection of the liver can also cause this vital organ to stop working.

Feline Fatty Liver Syndrome / Feline Lipidosis:

The most common reason is that the cat has not eaten for a long time, which makes the liver begin to digest the stored fat, and part of the undigested fat is trapped in the liver; if you find that the ears, gums, etc. are yellow, you need to pay great attention and send them to the liver in time. Hospital. Fatty liver ranks first among cat liver diseases. If you don't seek medical attention in time, it will only be a dead end.

· sudden weight loss

· loss of appetite

· depression

· vomiting, diarrhea/constipation (alternating)

· Enlarged liver (no pain to touch)

· Excessive drooling

· Abnormal behavior

· Muscle atrophy

· Anemia

· Jaundice (yellowing of the skin on the eyes, often in the later stages of the disease)

Some medical studies have shown that cats of all ages are at risk of developing the disease, Among them, elderly cats and middle-aged cats have the highest risk of disease, especially female cats and obese cats.

The initial weight loss and loss of appetite, in our After changing the diet, the cat will try to eat, and I have to say, we are relieved. But at this time, the cat's liver has been affected, and then it will reduce eating. When we find something wrong, the cat has already developed symptoms of jaundice. The result of continued deterioration is that the cat has problems with blood coagulation. A slight bump will cause bruising, and even cats with severe liver disease will develop skin fragility syndrome, resulting in skin scarring.

The initial symptoms of fatty liver are similar to those of cats swallowing hairballs and foreign bodies. Only changes in behavior can indicate their physical discomfort. Therefore, parents must be alert to any changes in cats in their usual interactions, even It's a small change; once you find something wrong, please send it to the hospital for disease testing immediately.

Note: If an obese cat has ever experienced sudden loss of appetite and rapid weight loss, caution is also required.

· Biochemical indicators

Liver enzymes SAP and bilirubin were significantly increased, high cholesterol, abnormal bile acids, and decreased coagulation ability.

· X-rays

Normal/enlarged liver.

· Ultrasound

Typical changes can be seen in the liver, excluding other conditions (such as liver lymphoma, liver abscess, etc.) and laboratory abnormalities, etc. other reasons.

· Biopsy

Biopsy by biopsy of the liver with fine needle aspiration.

· Urinalysis

An increase in urine ketones, but it is worth noting that diabetes can also increase urine ketones.

1. Primary

· Chronic intake of high fat and carbohydrates

· Foods low in protein

· Hunger

· Inadequate exercise

· Insufficient anti-fat substances

· Stress response (environmental/diet changes, addition of new members, long-distance transportation, etc.)

2. Induced

· Cholangiohepatitis

Pancreatitis

Diabetes

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Cancer

Parasitic Disease

· Other communicable diseases

due to fat If a cat with a liver wants to survive, it must be fully fed. Of course, this is not to question the parents, but force-feeding will cause many cats to resist and accidentally injure you, and it will easily cause great psychological pressure on the cat, causing the cat to recover. Resist eating. If you let a professional doctor handle it on your behalf (such as feeding tube feeding), you will recover a lot, and there are many diseases that are similar to fatty liver, which need to be excluded by the hospital. At the same time, other potential diseases can also be treated together to save you from trouble. necessary trouble.

· Nasal feeding tube

Inserted through the side of the cat's stomach and through the nose into the stomach (or esophagus), the size/type of feeding tube depends on the cat's size and Severity, whether it can support the placement of the nasogastric tube.

Note: The intake of food is an important step in determining whether the cat can survive successfully. Although the nasogastric feeding tube is uncomfortable, it is less stressful and more efficient than forced feeding by a needle tube.

· Feeding stimulants

such as diazepam, but for those cats who still have an appetite and interest in food; mirtazapine, which has been used in recent years The more popular appetite stimulant, which is originally a human psychotropic drug, has a strong appetite-enhancing effect when used in low doses (but some cats have no effect, and the reason is still uncertain.)

· Replenish fluids and electrolytes

Most cats with fatty liver will be dehydrated, and if the cat is vomiting significantly, the potassium level in the blood is usually very low.

· Vitamins

Cats with fatty liver need vitamin K supplementation to help the liver make factors that help blood clot; long-term anorexia can be supplemented Thiamine; In addition, the intake of carnitine can enhance fat metabolism and is widely used.

· Gastrointestinal drugs

Such as cimetidine, ranitidine, etc., can prevent gastric and intestinal ulcers; metoclopramide can reduce the Vomits and stimulates the movement of food through the stomach and intestines.

· Treatment of hepatic encephalopathy

Drugs such as neomycin or metronidazole can be used.

· Antibiotics

To prevent secondary infections or curb pre-existing infections, some antibiotics are available.

Note: The drug feeding should be in accordance with the doctor's advice

The process of treating fatty liver is relatively long, and the requirements for diet are extremely high. diet, and eat small, frequent meals. As the old saying goes, the above is only for reference. The specific treatment plan is determined by the doctor based on the severity of the disease. Professional matters should be handed over to professional people.

· Avoid excessive starchy, high-fat foods

· If your cat is already obese, It is recommended to go to the hospital for a physical examination

· More exercise (play), and appropriate reduction of intake

· Regular feeding, and eat small and frequent meals

Note: Beware of unbranded, low-quality commercial food products, which are a potential cause of many inflammatory diseases. This includes chronic hepatitis, chronic pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, cholecystitis and many other diseases frequently found in pet cats, as well as fatty liver. The ratio and quality of raw materials for products such as cat food are based on economic considerations. They are based on the industrial feed standard AAFCO. The starting point does not include the long-term and overall health of cats. (Text excerpted from Dr. Ron Hines' article Hepatic Lipidosis Why It Occurs, How Vets Treat It, How To Prevent It)

During treatment, cats can gradually return to self-feeding The habit of sniffing the food that the cat likes to eat every day (at this time it can eat whatever it wants), try to heat the cat canned food, stimulate the strong fragrance, and cater to its feeding method (such as eating in a familiar place, but Physician's consent is required).

Da Kar, the National Day is happy for seven days, and the push changes to 1, 4, and 7 three days. I have prepared a bunch of cats for everyone, and give Da Kar enough to suck~~~