Disorder - Lipidosis, hepatic

Organ Systems Involved
Gastrointestinal

Alternative Names
Fatty liver

Presenting Signs

Hepatic lipidosis is a disorder in which fat accumulates in the liver, resulting in liver dysfunction and severe illness, and possibly death. Hepatic lipidosis occurs when excess fat is transported to the liver, but the liver is unable to remove it. Increased fat mobilisation to the liver occurs during starvation. Clinical signs in cats with hepatic lipidosis include loss of appetite, weight loss, jaundice (yellow discolouration of whites of the eyes and mucous membranes such as gums), hepatomegaly (enlarged liver), vomiting, depression and ptyalism (increased salivation).

Cats at Risk

Most cats diagnosed with idiopathic hepatic lipidosis (IHL) are cats that have been kept indoors. Obesity may contribute to hepatic lipidosis. Most cats with IHL have had very reduced appetite from several days to several weeks. Stress (e.g. from acute illness or change in environment) is another contributing factor to hepatic lipidosis.

Treatment

Medical: treatment involves aggressive nutritional support. Cats with hepatic lipidosis can be fed a diet with adequate calories and high protein. Several dietary supplements including carnitine, arginine, citrulline, fish oils and zinc have been recommended. Most cats with IHL will require tube feeding by placing a feeding tube into the stomach directly or through the nose.

PubMed References
Lipidosis, hepatic

Contributor
Jennifer Go