Hepatitis lipidosis is a disease found in cats and also is known as fatty liver disease. Typical cases exist in overweight cats that suddenly lose their appetite and begin to drop weight rapidly. A fatty liver is linked to a variety of other conditions, including kidney disease, heart disease and urinary tract infections, but half of all cases come from an unknown cause, according to PetEducation.com. Getting your cat back on the trail to good health means she has to begin eating again immediately or the disease will be fatal.
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High-Protein Diet
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Cats with hepatitis lipidosis need nutritional support for at least three to six weeks. The longer a cat has suffered with the disease before diagnosis, the tougher it becomes to get her to eat food on her own. A complete loss in interest of eating goes along with the disease, and often a syringe feeder or other means of force feeding is required. Stress tends to complicate the disease and cause further lack of interest in eating, and so this must be a gentle process. The diet needs to be protein based (meats) so that the cat can begin to rebuild muscle mass immediately.
Feeding Tube
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In most cases, a feeding tube will be necessary to get the affected cat to take in enough nutrients to pull her through. A veterinarian may insert these tubes through the cat's side and into the stomach, or through the cat's nose or mouth. The decision will depend on the size and condition of the cat and if she is healthy enough to withstand anesthesia. Pet owners are always consulted about these options.
Hydration
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Hepatitis lipidosis often leads to vomiting in cats, and this, along with the disinterest in eating and drinking, causes dehydration in the cat. Dehydration is just as dangerous for the cat's health as hepatitis lipidosis. Be sure the cat gets plenty of water and electrolytes. If you can use a feeding syringe to get Pedialyte or another pediatric hydration formula into the cat's system, the chances of serious dehydration will be greatly reduced.
Prognosis
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The earlier feline hepatitis lipidosis is detected and treated, the more successful the treatment is likely to be, according to CatCustomer.com. This fatty liver disease, if left untreated, will certainly lead to death in the cats it affects. Thirty-five percent of cats with the disease do not survive, even with intense treatment. The majority, however, survive and are back to normal in three to six weeks, although some may need nutritional support for several months.
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