Hepatic Lipidosis Fatty Liver Syndrome
Affected Animals:
Cats
Information and Overview:
Hepatic lipidosis commonly is called fatty liver syndrome because the catīs liver actually becomes filled with fat. A severe liver disease that can be fatal, hepatic lipidosis typically occurs when an obese cat suddenly stops eating, which causes a mobilization of its own fat stores and results in excessive fat accumulation in the cells of the liver. This excessive fat accumulation impairs the normal function of the liver cells, resulting in liver failure. There are many reasons why obese cats stop eating. Often, stress will make an animal lose its appetite. Moving into a new home, having a new animal introduced into the household, or suffering an illness can cause a cat to lose interest in food. Because it is not always easy to predict what will make a cat feel stress, the best way to prevent hepatic lipidosis is to make sure the animal does not become obese. In addition, it is essential that a cat maintain a normal weight for good general health. With abnormal liver function the cat may become jaundiced or yellow, which may be noticeable by the owner. Once disease has progressed to this point, drastic measures such as stomach tube placement must be initiated for reversal of disease.
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