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Cholangitis, and Hepatic Lipidosis, the two most common types of feline liver diseases, can lead to liver failure if they are not treated in time.
Cholangitis is an inflammation of the bile ducts and is associated with the feline leukemia virus as well as feline infectious peritonitis. The conventional treatment regime includes antibiotics, appetite stimulants, corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive drugs.
Hepatic lipidosis, or Fatty Liver Disease is abnormal levels of certain fats that accumulate near the liver. It is an idiopathic disease (a disease whose exact cause is not known) that is mostly associated with loss of appetite and obesity. Stress, too is known to be one of the factors that leads to loss of appetite.
Cats usually find it difficult to adjust to a changed environment like shifting to a new home, arrival of a new kitten. They get stressed even when the owner is stressed. There are chances of Fatty Liver Disease occurring due to Cholangitis, inflammation of the pancreas as well as a hepatic tumor.
The exact diagnose a liver disease dogs and cats is through a biopsy. Cats with Fatty Liver Disease are an anesthetic risk and a sample is normally taken with the aid of a fine percutaneous or laparoscopic needle. Hepatic Lipidosis needs to be attended to immediately to avoid liver failure. Severe cases require hospitalization and critical care. Cat owners would rather prefer outpatient care but it requires perseverance and commitment to succeed as there are no specific home remedies that will cure the disease.
The first and foremost item on your agenda should be to modify the diet of your cat. Although the veterinarian is the right person to suggest the change, choose a high protein diet with high calorie intake sourced from non-protein sources. Consult your veterinarian also for the quantity and the frequency of feeding.
Symptoms of liver disease in cats and dogs are often difficult to pin point. In most cases, the disease is diagnosed late. Vomiting can prove to be a big problem if Fatty Liver Disease has progressed to later stages. It may require surgical insertion of stomach tubes for feeding and home care. Make food of gruel consistency and force it down the food through the tube. You may add some fish oil to the food. Start with small quantities every four hours and gradually increase the quantity and decrease the frequency.
Although 36 cc of food is enough to sustain life in the cat, it would require more than that to help in growing and healing. For administered fluids you may initially require the assistance of a veterinarian but if you try hard enough you can learn and do it yourself.
Prognosis of both the conditions is fair but only with persistent care and regular monitoring. Another home care that you may try is to give your undivided attention and love to the cat for a couple of hours every day. If the cat is refusing food due to stress of some sort, it will help in curing anorexia, considered to be the primary cause behind liver failure in cats.
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