Cat Health & Liver Problems

Aside from metabolizing fats, carbohydrates and proteins, a cat's liver aids in digestion, stores minerals and vitamins, and is responsible for detoxifying the body. Therefore, any untreated health problems affecting the liver can become life-or-death situations. But cats are known to hide their illnesses very well, and they often become gravely ill before the owner realizes there is a problem.

  1. Symptoms of a Feline Liver Issue

    • The signs of a feline liver problem are not always disease-specific. The cat might suffer from vomiting and diarrhea, which can signify a plethora of other health issues. The cat might lose appetite and weight. He might be thirstier and urinate more. However, some cats experience seizures or behavioral changes. The only liver-specific symptom that might occur is jaundice, in which the skin and mucous membranes turn an unusual shade of yellow, indicating that the liver is not properly filtering waste from the body.

    Diagnosis

    • Because of the many non-specific signs of liver problems, the veterinarian might have to run several tests to rule out other possibilities. For example, seizures or behavioral changes could be caused by neurological issues or toxic materials. A good veterinarian will run blood tests including a chemistry panel, bile acid tests and coagulation tests. The veterinarian will also probably do a urinalysis, plus X-rays or an ultrasound, to check for physical abnormalities or tumors.

    Types

    • Several different types of liver disease can affect a cat. Feline hepatic lipidosis, or fatty liver, is a condition in which fat has built up in the liver. Left untreated, fatty liver can result in death. Liver infections and parasites, such as the liver fluke, can become dangerous if allowed to progress. Furthermore, the cat could be suffering from more extreme diseases, such as liver failure, cancer or tumors of the liver.

    Treatment

    • Most diseases that affect the liver do not have a specific treatment. Because the liver is such an important organ, this can be frustrating for the owner. Often, the treatment is aimed at making the cat comfortable and treating specific symptoms as they arise. This can mean changes in diet, antibiotics to treat infections, and anti-inflammatory or pain medications.

      In some cases, hospitalization with intravenous fluids and electrolyte supplementation is necessary. Some cats might be able to undergo surgery, especially if there is an accessible tumor.

    Prognosis

    • Liver problems are not necessarily fatal. Prognosis varies based on the specific disease affecting the cat and her liver. For example, cats with hepatic lipidosis may recover within six weeks following treatment, but they might require additional support for several months. However, approximately 35 percent of cats with fatty liver disease are likely to die from it.

      Some problems, such as an infection or a liver fluke, can be treated with medications, and most cats go on to live normal, healthy lives. But cats with more serious diseases, such as liver cancer, might have a more severe prognosis in which death is inevitable.