Cat Care & Liver Function

Understanding the basics of cat liver function and the organ's role is important for providing quality care. Though liver cancer is rare in cats, other liver diseases can lead to a poorer quality of life and even death. Since the liver has regenerative capabilities, however, poor liver function, if caught early, might be reversible, according to Vet Info.

  1. Function of the Liver

    • Cat livers are large organs that regulate most chemical levels in the bloodstream, clear toxins from the blood, produce proteins for blood plasma, produces enzymes, and help distribute fat throughout the body.

    Liver Function Decline

    • Liver disease occurs when too many lipids accumulate in the organ, decreasing liver function. One of the most common liver diseases is hepatic lipidosis, or fatty liver disease, which most often occurs in obese and older felines. Causes of liver disease vary and include diabetes, cancer, Cushing's disease, infectious peritonitis, feline leukemia or feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).

    Symptoms of Liver Function Decline or Liver Disease

    • When a cat's liver first becomes diseased and its function declines, symptoms are not usually immediately apparent. Over time, functioning decreases as the disease progresses, producing symptoms that can include lack of appetite or refusal to eat (with resulting weight loss), swollen abdomen, diarrhea, vomiting or excessive salivation, jaundice (due to organ's inability to properly process toxins), behavioral changes such as depression and lethargy and irritability and seizures.

    Care and Treatment of Feline Liver Disease

    • If the liver problem is caused by a particular disease, such as obesity or diabetes, veterinarians will attempt to treat the illness. If liver function decline is caused by age or another problem not treatable with medications, a balanced diet, tube feeding and choline supplements (which play a role in fat metabolism) can support the cat through the disease process. In some cases, the liver may recover.

    Liver Supportive Diet

    • If a cat's liver is not functioning properly, the cat is probably not getting enough nutrients. Processing the wrong foods can also tax the liver. Limited, frequent, chemical/preservative-free and easily digestible meals that are low in fat, sodium and ammonium but high in protein, vitamins and minerals are recommended by Vet Info. Cottage cheese, eggs and rice are appropriate foods for cats with decreased liver function. Anything containing shellfish, fish meal or organ meats should not be given. Tube or force feeding may be necessary iff the cat refuses to eat.