Cat Liver Problems

As in humans, the liver in cats plays various vital functions. Normally cat owners are not aware of how important the role of this organ is, but once it starts creating problems in their cats, it is pretty evident how a malfunctioning liver may have devastating effects. Generally, signs of liver problems do not show in cats until the organ is quite extensively damaged, thus the importance of recognizing liver problem signs at the earliest.

  1. Function

    • The liver in cats takes care of the following functions: it produces bile to help with digestion; it produces protein for the blood's plasma; it converts waste product so to be readily removed by the kidneys; and last but not least, it stores glycogen.

    Causes

    • Cats may be affected by different types of hepatic disorders such as fatty liver disease, cholangiohepatitis and liver shunt. However, liver problems in cats often arise as a secondary problem due to other health problems, such as hyperthyroidism, pancreatitis, exposure to toxins and congestive heart failure.

    Symptoms

    • Signs of liver disease in cats may consist of the following: jaundice, loss of appetite, increased drinking, increased urination, ascites, gastrointestinal problems, weight loss, irritability and lethargy.

    Warning

    • Because liver problems in cats may cause symptoms quite similar to several other conditions, a thorough examination by the vet is required. Your vet can positively diagnose liver problems only after running several diagnostic tests such as blood work and urinalysis.

    Potential

    • One of the best features of the liver is that it has great regenerative abilities. For this reason, it is vital to have a cat with symptoms suggesting liver disease seen right away; if caught in time, the prognosis may be much better.

    Considerations

    • While the symptoms suggesting liver problems can often be confused with other conditions, jaundice is one of the best indicators of liver problems. Jaundice occurs when there is too much bilirubin, causing the yellowing of the cat's skin, which can be seen in particular in the ears, whites of the eyes, gums and abdomen.