If your normally food-motivated cat has suddenly stopped eating or is losing weight rapidly, it is not something to ignore. Feline Hepatic Lipidosis (FHL), commonly known as fatty liver disease, is one of the most common and severe liver conditions in cats. Here is an overview of how it develops, how we diagnose it, and the best treatment and recovery paths.
What Is Feline Hepatic Lipidosis?
FHL occurs when excessive fat accumulates within the liver, severely impairing normal liver function. This condition most commonly develops after a period of decreased appetite or complete anorexia. When a cat stops eating, their body mobilizes fat stores for energy, which overwhelms the liver. Any condition that causes a cat to stop eating can trigger FHL, including stress, underlying illness, diabetes, pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, kidney disease, cancer, dental disease, and obesity.
Common Signs to Watch For
If your cat is developing hepatic lipidosis, you might notice:
- Decreased appetite or complete refusal to eat
- Rapid weight loss and poor body condition
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Lethargy, weakness, and dehydration
- Jaundice (yellow discoloration of the gums, eyes, or skin)
Emergency Warning: Cats should never go for prolonged periods without eating. FHL can become life-threatening if not treated promptly. Contact your veterinarian immediately if your cat’s appetite decreases, vomiting develops, jaundice appears, or weight loss continues.
How We Diagnose Hepatic Lipidosis
To determine the severity of the liver compromise and identify any underlying triggers, a combination of diagnostics is recommended:
- Comprehensive Blood Work & Urinalysis: A CBC and chemistry panel to evaluate liver enzymes, assess overall organ function, and check for underlying diseases.
- Abdominal Radiographs (X-rays) & Ultrasound: To assess the size and appearance of the liver and check concurrent organs like the pancreas and intestines.
- Liver Aspirates or Biopsy: In some cases, this is recommended to collect a sample of liver cells and officially confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment Options
Treatment focuses heavily on aggressive nutritional support and addressing the underlying cause of the anorexia. Hospitalization is often required initially for IV fluids and stabilization.
1. Nutritional Support & Feeding Tubes
Because cats with this condition refuse to eat, a temporary feeding tube is usually placed. This allows for stress-free delivery of high-calorie, highly palatable wet foods mixed into a slurry. Recommended diets include: Hill’s® Prescription Diet® a/d® or Rayne Clinical Nutrition™ Growth/Sensitive-GI™ Canine-Feline Diet. A feeding tube is essential to jump-start their nutrition.
2. Medical Therapy
- Prednisolone: A systemic steroid that reduces inflammation in the liver and often leads to an increased appetite.
- Antibiotics (Clavamox® & Marbofloxacin): Target bacteria in the liver. Convenia® is a long-acting injectable antibiotic that may be used when oral medications are not possible.
- Cerenia®: An anti-nausea and intestinal pain medication used during flare-ups.
- Mirataz®: A transdermal appetite stimulant applied topically to the inner ear.
Prognosis and Follow-Up Care
The prognosis is generally fair to good when diagnosed and treated early. Many cats recover successfully with aggressive nutritional support. However, severe or prolonged cases can result in irreversible liver damage and may be fatal.
This blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide diagnostic or treatment guidance. If you have any concerns about your pet’s health, please contact Cascade Heights Veterinary Center directly by phone at 206-403-1108, email, or by scheduling an appointment. Medications, supplements, and prescription diets can be conveniently ordered through our online pharmacy.