Liver diseases in cats. Liver diseases in cats: symptoms, treatment and prevention Toxic liver damage in cats
Liver diseases in cats occur when this internal organ ceases to cope with its functions. The liver protects the cat's body from harmful substances such as various allergens, toxins and poisons. When the liver malfunctions, too many of these substances accumulate in the body, and the pet experiences serious health problems.
It is impossible to postpone the treatment of liver diseases, as well as to try to cure them on your own, without consulting a veterinarian. If characteristic symptoms of any of these ailments are detected, the cat must be urgently taken to a veterinary hospital, since without timely treatment it may die.
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Common symptoms of liver problems
Liver diseases in cats are often asymptomatic or their symptoms are similar to other diseases, which makes their diagnosis much more difficult. Conventionally, they are divided into 2 types - primary and secondary. At the same time, secondary liver diseases are triggered by other problems in the pet’s body that are in no way related to the liver, and in primary diseases, the lesion is located in this organ.
At home, you can recognize common signs of liver diseases, which include:
- vomiting and diarrhea;
- refusal of food;
- sudden weight loss;
- apathy;
- uncharacteristic shade of urine and feces;
- enlargement of the abdomen due to the accumulation of excess fluid;
- painful sensations when pressing on the liver area;
- protrusion of an internal organ;
- hemorrhages in the skin;
- poor blood clotting.
If one or more symptoms are detected, you should urgently take your cat to the veterinarian. At an early stage, treatment of any disease is easier and more effective.
Among the main signs of cholecystitis are:
- increased body temperature;
- diarrhea followed by constipation;
- pain in the liver area.
Symptoms and treatment vary greatly depending on the type of hepatitis. With the toxic type, the following symptoms are observed:
- refusal of food and drink;
- increased body temperature;
- apathy;
- weak pulse;
- dyspnea;
- uncharacteristic color of urine.
Treatment of toxic hepatitis involves the use of immunostimulating drugs, a course of antibiotic therapy and vitamin complexes. To avoid the occurrence of disease, it is necessary to monitor the animal and prevent poisoning.
Signs of infectious hepatitis:
- staining of the mucous membranes in a yellowish tint;
- vomit;
- indigestion;
- sudden weight loss;
- increased body temperature;
- strong thirst.
To treat an infectious type of disease, a course of antibiotics, vitamin supplements, glucose and antispasmodics are prescribed. As a preventive measure, it is necessary to vaccinate the animal in a timely manner, give it anthelmintic drugs and feed it with thermally processed food. It is highly advisable to protect cats that have free access to the street from contact with yard animals.
Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is a change in the structure of the liver, replacement of cells with connective tissue. This disease is hereditary. Among the main signs it is worth highlighting:
- liver enlargement;
- accumulation of fluid in the abdominal area;
- refusal of food;
- diarrhea;
- the appearance of jaundice;
- redness of the conjunctiva;
- labored breathing;
- disruptions in the functioning of the heart.
Causes of cirrhosis in cats:
- prolonged intoxication;
- hepatitis;
- infectious diseases caused by bacteria and viruses;
- lack of protein in the body;
- avitaminosis.
Before treatment for cirrhosis is prescribed, the veterinarian identifies the cause of its development. Most often, a sick pet is prescribed vitamin supplements, diuretics, and intravenous administration of glucose, salts, and proteins. Preventive measures include an annual examination by a veterinarian and feeding your pet high-quality food.
Liver failure
Liver failure is one of the most severe liver diseases in cats, occurring in acute and chronic forms. The causes of this disease are severe poisoning or infectious diseases. Symptoms of acute liver failure:
- foul odor from a cat's mouth;
- nervous disorders;
- hemorrhagic syndrome;
- staining of mucous membranes yellow;
- vomit;
- state of shock.
Chronic liver failure occurs much more slowly than acute liver failure, and its symptoms are not as pronounced at first. But over time, the following signs appear:
- refusal of food;
- decreased body temperature;
- liver enlargement;
- vomit;
- blood in feces;
- diarrhea.
Most often, liver failure develops against the background of other untreated diseases, such as diabetes mellitus or hepatosis. Older pets and cats prone to obesity are at risk, and they are much more likely to be diagnosed with liver failure, which occurs after they have suffered stress.
Therapeutic diet
Proper nutrition plays a vital role in the treatment of any liver disease in cats. The veterinarian recommends putting your pet on a special diet. If before illness the pet ate dry industrial food, then it is necessary to switch it to specialized food recommended for liver diseases (for example, Royal Canin HEPATIC).
Products that promote bile production and have an irritating effect on the affected liver are excluded from the cat’s diet. You should not feed your cat foods enriched with organic acids, fried, sweet, fatty and cholesterol-rich foods.
A pet's diet must contain a normal amount of proteins, which are necessary for the proper functioning of all systems. It is advisable to feed a sick cat light fish or meat broth, rice or oatmeal porridge. Over time, it is allowed to add 1 tsp to the broth. minced chicken or veal. If the pet's condition does not worsen, then the dose of minced meat can be gradually increased. Then it is advisable to introduce low-fat dairy products into the diet, and add boiled vegetables (carrots, potatoes) to the porridge and broth.
If the cat’s condition returns to normal, then with the permission of the veterinarian, you can return to the normal diet. At the same time, the owner must carefully control the amount of proteins, carbohydrates and fats in the cat’s body.
Based on materials from the website www.icatcare.org
Liver- a vital organ located in the abdominal cavity directly behind the diaphragm. It performs many functions that are important for maintaining the normal state of the cat and ensuring metabolic processes occurring in the body:
- Digestive support (especially fats);
- Synthesis of proteins, hormones;
- Setting up energy and protein metabolism;
- Delay and removal of toxic substances and products;
- Supports immune system functions;
Since the blood travels directly from the intestines to the liver, it is partly because of this that it is vulnerable to toxic and harmful substances. Everything a cat eats quickly reaches the liver. The liver has an increased sensitivity to poisoning because it lacks certain metabolic pathways that allow it to cope with certain toxins.
In addition, the cat's liver is susceptible to a number of diseases, including, for example, diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, lymphoma and others.
The cat's liver has a huge reserve of strength, so liver failure rarely occurs in practice, since more than two-thirds of the liver must be seriously damaged for this to happen. It also has a good ability to regenerate, which allows us to hope for the cat’s recovery even after serious illnesses.
Symptoms of liver disease in cats.
Signs of liver problems in cats are often very vague and uncertain. It can be:
- Loss of appetite;
- Lethargy;
- Weight loss ;
Depending on the cause and severity, symptoms such as fever, increased thirst, and vomiting may occur. In some cases, a diseased liver can cause fluid to accumulate in the abdominal cavity (ascites); in more severe cases, jaundice (yellowing of the gums and skin) may appear.
Sometimes, with very severe illness or the formation of a "shunt" (when blood from the intestines bypasses the liver due to the presence of an abnormal blood vessel - a "shunt"). Toxins that are normally retained by the liver can reach the brain. This can cause the cat to exhibit abnormal behavior, disorientation, increased drooling, even seizures or blindness.
Diagnosis of liver diseases in cats.
Because the clinical signs of liver disease in cats are often vague and nonspecific, blood and urine tests are usually required to make a diagnosis and identify the underlying cause. Indicators of these tests that indicate liver dysfunction include:
Elevated bilirubin levels in urine and blood.
Level of liver enzymes in the blood which are produced by liver cells, may increase in case of illness (or, possibly, difficulty in the outflow of bile). Such enzymes can be:
- Alanine aminotransferase (ALT, alanine aminotransferase);
- Alkaline phosphatase (ALP, alkaline phosphatase);
- Aspartame aminotransferase (AST, aspartame aminotransferase);
- Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT, gammaglutamyl transferase);
Bile acids. These acids, produced by the cat's liver, are very important for the digestion of fats in the intestines. In case of liver diseases, obstruction, or impaired bile outflow, it is possible to increase the concentration of bile acids in the cat’s blood. While elevated enzyme levels may be a sign of liver disease, bile acid levels can provide information about liver function.
Hematology. Examination of the red and white cells found in the blood may provide some indication of the potential presence of infection or inflammation in the liver.
Protein in the blood. Processing the results of blood tests helps to identify liver diseases, although it is difficult to determine the severity and degree of development of the disease only from them. In addition, such tests do not determine the cause of the disease. Some changes in the blood cause other diseases, such as diabetes or hyperthyroidism, so further testing is needed to rule out other diseases.
Assessing the condition of the liver (to determine its size) using x-ray and ultrasound(size, structure, possible disturbances in the outflow of bile) is also very useful. It helps to narrow down the possible causes of the disease.
Liver biopsy at the cat. Often, finding out the cause of the disease and choosing the most appropriate treatment requires taking a sample of liver tissue for a biopsy (and possibly growing cultures to rule out bacterial infections). Obtaining biopsy samples is usually straightforward. However, it is important to first make sure that the cat's blood is clotting normally, i.e. the liver produces the proteins (or clotting factors) necessary for this. Samples are usually taken under anesthesia through simple surgery or a biopsy needle.
The most common liver diseases in cats.
Cats are susceptible to many liver diseases, which is why a biopsy is so important to determine the underlying cause and determine treatment options. Here are some of the diseases:
Neutrophilic cholangitis in cats.
This is a disease caused by a bacterial infection in the liver, leading to inflammation. Usually develops as a result of migration of bacteria to the bile ducts and into the liver from the small intestine. The disease is sometimes observed simultaneously with pancreatic and intestinal diseases. Diagnosis requires a liver biopsy and growing cultures on the resulting samples (or on bile samples from the gallbladder).
Treatment is carried out with appropriate antibiotics. If started early, the prognosis for recovery is usually good.
Lymphocytic cholangitis in cats.
Unlike the previous one, this liver disease is non-infectious in nature, although it also leads to inflammation. The exact cause is unknown, but it may be caused by a disorder in the cat's immune system (immune-mediated disease). Lymphocytic cholangitis often causes an enlarged liver and can cause fluid to accumulate in the abdominal cavity. Diagnosis is made by examining liver biopsy samples.
Anti-inflammatory and immune-strengthening drugs are used for treatment - usually corticosteroids. The prospects for recovery depend on the severity of the disease, and although good, in some cases long-term or even lifelong treatment is required, and relapses are possible.
Hepatic lipidosis in cats.
In this disease, large amounts of fat accumulate in liver cells, leading to significant swelling and damage to the liver, which can cause severe liver dysfunction. Hepatic lipidosis usually manifests itself in cats as a sudden refusal to eat, especially if the cat was previously overweight. A sudden change in metabolism is likely what causes fat accumulation. The diagnosis can be confirmed by biopsy.
Treatment involves determining the underlying cause of the disease or the circumstances that contributed to the development of hepatic lipidosis. The main method of treatment is to provide intensive nutritional support. The cat usually has to be hospitalized and fed a special diet using a tube until it can eat on its own again. Although many cats eventually recover, recovery may take several months.
Toxic liver damage in cats.
Cats are very susceptible to diseases that develop due to exposure to many common medications or toxins that do not pose a danger to other animals. This is because the cat's metabolism lacks some of the recycling abilities that other species have. This should be taken into account and, when prescribing medications, be sure to consult a veterinarian.
Liver tumors in cats.
Many types of tumors can form in a cat's liver. Some affect the liver itself (primary tumors), others penetrate from the outside (secondary). Unfortunately, many types of tumors cannot be treated, although in the case of lymphoma, for example, chemotherapy can be effective. Tumors limited to one lobe are also amenable to surgical resection.
Amyloidosis and hepatic peliosis in cats.
Amyloidosis is a disease in which a certain type of protein (amyloid) accumulates in the liver. They cause disruption of its functions, creating the preconditions for liver rupture and hemorrhage into the abdominal cavity. Some cats are genetically predisposed to amyloidosis.
Hepatic peliosis- a rare disease for cats, in which multiple cavities filled with blood form in the liver. As with amyloidosis, the liver becomes very fragile, and spontaneous rupture and bleeding into the abdominal cavity are possible.
Other liver diseases in cats.
Many liver diseases are possible in cats, including portosystemic shunts, toxoplasmosis, feline infectious peritonitis and others.
Treatment of liver diseases in cats.
Treatment depends on the underlying cause, so additional tests such as a biopsy are usually required. In addition to special treatment, maintenance treatment is usually prescribed. In many cases, intravenous fluids (to correct dehydration), nutritional support, and medications to help maintain liver and blood clotting functions are required, such as:
- Vitamin K;
- Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA);
- S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe);
- Silybin/silymarin (Silybin/Silymarin);
Additional Information.
- Amyloidosis - description of the disease and its symptoms.
The liver is a vital organ located in the abdominal cavity, just in front of the diaphragm. It has enough functions, and not all of them have been studied. Therefore, it is not surprising that liver diseases in cats are extremely dangerous and require immediate treatment.
Here are the main tasks that this organ faces every day in the body of animals and humans:
- The production of bile, without which the process of digesting fats is impossible.
- Synthesis of proteins and hormones.
- Regulation of metabolism and protein metabolism.
- Neutralization of toxic substances coming from the digestive tract.
- Blood depot. Up to 10% of the blood that is generally present in a cat’s body is located in the liver.
This organ (via the portal vein) is directly connected to the digestive tract, and therefore is the first to stand in the way of poisons. It is important to remember that cats lack some liver enzymes, which is why this type of animal has an increased sensitivity to poisoning. Their food must be of high quality! Yes, cats definitely don’t have ““. Many diseases (for example, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, lymphoma) are also extremely dangerous and have a bad effect on the liver.
So how, under such conditions, do our cats (and us too) even manage to live to a very advanced age? It's all about the incredible talents of the liver in the field of regeneration. In addition, a maximum of 2/3 of all hepatocytes (as the cells of this organ are called) work simultaneously, so the body always has reserves. Even after severe damage to the liver by some kind of poison, if at least a handful of healthy cells remain, there is a considerable chance of a successful outcome of the process.
Read also: Eosinophilic granuloma in cats: causes, symptoms, treatment and tips for breeders
How can you tell if something is wrong with your pet's liver?
Unfortunately, signs of liver disease in cats in the initial stages are poorly manifested, or they are not visible at all. As a rule, the owner can only notice these manifestations:
- Lack of appetite.
- Lethargy (but this is already in the very last stages of the disease).
- Weight loss.
- Apathy.
- If you press on the area of the right hypochondrium, you may experience anxiety and even aggression. This occurs if pressing causes a painful reaction.
Depending on the cause and severity of the pathology, vomiting and polydipsia (increased water consumption) may also occur. In some cases () ascites develops, that is, of the abdominal cavity. If the inflammatory and degenerative processes in the organ have gone far, symptoms of jaundice almost always occur in all visible mucous membranes and even the skin.
In very rare cases, when there is a hereditary pathology in which the portal vein can be connected to the general bloodstream through a shunt, that is, a pathological branch of the blood vessels, cats may show signs of liver disease that are actually not related to it. It’s just that toxins from the gastrointestinal tract go directly into the blood and cause severe consequences for the body.
Most common liver diseases
Neutrophilic cholangitis
A bacterial infection that causes inflammation in the gallbladder. Usually occurs when harmful microorganisms migrate to the liver through the bile ducts, entering from there from the small intestine. As a rule, it develops against the background of inflammatory phenomena in the gastrointestinal tract. The diagnosis requires a liver biopsy, as well as seeding of the resulting material on a nutrient medium. Most often, fairly powerful broad-spectrum antibiotics are used for therapy; the prognosis is favorable (if left untreated); a cat with liver disease must be fed “light” food and small portions.
Read also: Intestinal inflammation in a cat: first signs and treatment
Lymphocytic cholangitis
This disease is of non-infectious origin. The essence is the inflammatory process in the liver. The cause is unknown, but may develop due to a pathology of the immune system (autoimmune disease). Very often, the organ greatly increases in volume, and ascites is possible. Diagnosis is only possible based on the results of a biopsy.
Treatment consists of anti-inflammatory drugs and immunosuppressants, which are usually corticosteroids. The prognosis varies depending on the severity and extent of the process. In some cases, the animal will have to “sit” on these drugs for life, and cases of relapse may occur.
Hepatic lipidosis
Fat accumulates in hepatocytes. In fact, the liver is degenerated into one large piece, which reduces the functionality of the organ to zero. often manifests itself in the form of sudden, especially if the cat’s appetite was fine before, or she generally weighed more than normal. The diagnosis can only be confirmed by a liver biopsy.
Therapy is complicated by the need to search for the disease that could contribute to the development of this pathology (often acute or chronic intoxication). To prevent the cat from dying from exhaustion during this period, they resort to parenteral nutrition, administering glucose intravenously. In milder cases, it is prescribed from light porridges and broth, which are introduced directly into the stomach (through a tube). The disease is extremely unpleasant: firstly, its immediate cause may remain unidentified. Secondly, the period of treatment and rehabilitation can last for months, with a constant threat of relapse.
The cat’s liver, like other vertebrates, performs many functions that are significant for the body: it neutralizes toxic substances, removes excess vitamins and metabolic products, participates in the metabolism and storage of vitamins, trace elements and acids, protects the immune system from the harmful effects of microorganisms, stimulates the functioning of the digestive tract, and also carries out other important actions.
Prevention of liver disease in cats
To prevent such complex diseases, the owner should:- Take care of quality food for your pet;
- Coordinate medication intake with a veterinarian;
- Minimize the cat’s contact with poisons, chemicals, and any possible allergens;
- Pay attention to the moral state of the animal. Frequent stress leads to liver diseases;
- Monitor external signs of the disease - with liver diseases, symptoms may not be visible for a long time, but sooner or later they appear.
Common liver diseases in cats
Let's consider the most common liver diseases, their characteristic symptoms, and the diagnosis of these ailments.Liver hepatosis
Liver hepatosis is considered to be dystrophic damage to the liver and disruption of its basic functions. Hepatosis can occur as a result of intoxication of the body, and also develop after the occurrence of infectious diseases or diseases of the digestive system.Hepatosis is characterized by constipation in cats, flatulence, low body temperature, lethargy, convulsions, agitation, and coma are possible. Often hepatosis occurs as a result of eating low-quality feed or toxic chemicals. To make a diagnosis, the doctor takes tests from the cat and a biopsy. Hepatosis that is not promptly treated can cause further complications to the animal’s liver.
Fatty hepatosis, also known as liver lipidosis
When excess lipids accumulate in a cat's liver cells, bile stagnation occurs, which can lead to liver failure. Lipidosis often affects overweight cats, those who are depressed, and whose diet is not balanced and of poor quality.Symptoms of lipidosis include dehydration, seclusion of the animal in hard-to-reach places, digestive disorders, yellowness of the mucous membranes, low blood pressure and poor blood clotting.
Liver lipidosis is diagnosed on the basis of ultrasound, x-ray examination of the abdominal cavity, as well as after taking blood and urine tests. Seeing a doctor early and following all instructions usually gives your cat a good chance of recovery.
Hepatitis
Hepatitis is considered to be a diffuse change in the liver with severe hyperemia, accompanied by degeneration and necrosis of organ tissue. Like other liver diseases, hepatitis occurs due to intoxication of the body, invasive diseases, long-term use of medications, and gastrointestinal diseases.The main symptoms characteristic of liver damage include increased body temperature, discharge from the nasal passages (often with blood), and severe yellowness of the mucous surfaces. The diagnosis is made through blood and urine tests to determine the level of bilirubin.
Liver failure
The main cause of this disease is considered to be the death of liver tissue (necrosis), which, if left untreated, can lead to liver failure and further death of the cat. Often other serious diseases (diabetes mellitus, lipidosis, pancreatitis) lead to liver failure. Older cats, those with weakened immune systems, those with obesity, and those experiencing frequent stress are especially susceptible to this disease.Symptoms of liver failure are: refusal to eat, gastrointestinal disorders, jaundice, abdominal enlargement with a decrease in total body weight, change in the color of feces, and the presence of convulsions.
The diagnosis of this disease is made on the basis of blood tests, urine tests, X-ray and ultrasound examinations, and liver biopsy. The prognosis for treatment is often unfavorable, especially in the later stages of the disease.
Liver cancer
The most common liver tumor is hepatocarcinoma. Neoplasms most often affect the liver of adult cats (over 8 years old); their appearance is idiopathic (spontaneous) or toxic in nature.Symptoms of liver cancer in cats can be invisible to the owner’s eye for a long time until the tumor increases in size and metastasizes to other organs and tissues. But most often with liver tumors in cats, the following are observed: jaundice (eyes, gums, skin), loss of appetite, exhaustion, gastrointestinal problems, pain in the abdomen (enlargement), internal bleeding.
For diagnosis, the doctor uses blood tests, urine tests, x-rays, and liver tissue biopsies. Based on the severity of the animal’s condition (presence of metastases, size of the formation), the veterinarian prescribes surgery and, if necessary, chemotherapy. The prognosis is unfavorable for cats whose bodies have been affected by metastases, and the stage of the disease does not allow them to completely get rid of the tumor.
Symptoms of cirrhosis become obvious when the disease is significantly advanced. In cirrhosis, the main symptoms characteristic of liver diseases also include unquenchable thirst (polydipsia) and increased urine production (polyuria), disturbances in the functioning of the heart, and shortness of breath.
In case of liver cirrhosis, urine and blood tests are taken from the cat, thyroid examinations, X-rays and ultrasound of the abdominal cavity are performed, and serological tests are performed. To make a correct diagnosis, the doctor determines the reason why the cat developed cirrhosis, which allows him to prescribe the correct treatment. The prognosis is rarely favorable; it depends on the general condition of the organ (the amount of healthy tissue) and the cat’s entire body.
The liver supports metabolism and is a living filter of the body, preventing toxins and allergens from harming the health of the animal. With the general symptoms of a diseased liver, it is difficult even for a specialist to make a correct diagnosis without research. It should be remembered that incorrectly selected (often independently) treatment can lead to death.
As treatment, the doctor often prescribes antibiotics, hepatoprotectors, IVs, intravenous injections - that is, long-term and complex therapy that cannot be selected by the owner himself.
