Feline Hepatic Lipidosis: Vet Guide 2025 🐱🩺🥄

Hello caring cat parents! I’m Dr Duncan Houston BVSc 🩺. Hepatic lipidosis—also known as fatty liver syndrome—is a serious, potentially fatal liver condition that develops when cats stop eating, especially overweight or middle-aged cats. This detailed guide covers what it is, causes, signs, diagnostics, aggressive treatment, prognosis, and how you can care for your cat at home with love and expertise 😊.

🔍 What is Hepatic Lipidosis?

When a cat goes without food, the body mobilizes fat to the liver. But cats’ livers struggle to process this fat, and it accumulates in liver cells, disrupting function. Within days, liver failure can follow if untreated :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.

⚠️ Who Is at Risk?

• Middle‑aged, overweight/obese cats—most often domestic shorthairs :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
• Any cat that stops eating for 2–7 days—especially due to illness, stress, or changes :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
• Cats with underlying conditions—IBD, pancreatitis, cholangiohepatitis, cancer, or environmental stress :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.

👀 Signs to Watch For

Common indicators include:

• Anorexia or refusing food for several days :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
• Rapid weight loss, vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea or constipation :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
• Jaundice: yellow gums, eyes, ears; pale or green‑tinged urine :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
• Behavioral changes—disinterest in bowl, hiding, salivation :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.

🩺 Diagnostic Plan

• Physical exam + full history—including food intake & stress triggers.
• Blood tests: marked hyperbilirubinemia, elevated liver enzymes (ALKP), hypoproteinemia, electrolyte imbalances :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
• Abdominal ultrasound—enlarged, hyperechoic liver :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.
• Liver cytology (fine needle aspirate) or biopsy to confirm fat accumulation :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
• Investigate underlying causes: T4, pancreatic enzymes, ultrasound of GI tract may be needed.

🏥 Treatment & Hospital Care

1. Stabilize the Patient

• Hospitalize for IV fluids to correct dehydration, electrolytes :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.
• Provide anti-nausea meds (maropitant, ondansetron) and B-vitamins like B12, SAMe, methionine :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.

2. Aggressive Nutritional Support

• Place feeding tube (esophageal or gastric)—tube feeding with prescribed high-protein, calorie-rich diet is gold standard :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.
• Continue for 6–8 weeks until voluntary eating resumes; syringe feeding & dietary transition under vet guidance :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}.

3. Treat Underlying Causes

• Treat any secondary condition (e.g. pancreatitis, IBD, infection) to prevent relapse :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}.

📈 Prognosis & Follow-Up

• Survival rate is 50–85% with aggressive support; around 75–80% in severe cases :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}.
• Most recover within 2–3 weeks; liver returns to normal architecture with minimal long-term damage :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}.
• Poor prognostic signs include delayed treatment, hypokalemia, hypoalbuminemia, pancreatitis, extreme hypo‑ or hyper‑bilirubinemia :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}.
• Recurrence is rare but monitor during weight loss or illness via regular bloodwork and appetite checks.

🏡 Home Care & Support

• Continue tube feeding at home—3–5 times/day with prescribed formula; clean and flush tube correctly :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}.
• Use the **Ask A Vet app** 📱 to track appetite, weight, vomiting, and medications.
• Offer comfortable, quiet spaces with clean water and gentle encouragement to eat.^*
• Transition gradually from tube feeding to voluntary feeding after your vet confirms oral intake.
• Monitor weight, stool, and behavior; contact vet immediately if appetite fails or vomiting returns.

📝 Key Takeaways

• Don’t wait—anorexia in cats for 2–3 days needs immediate vet attention.
• Aggressive tube feeding & supportive care dramatically improve survival.
• Address underlying cause to prevent recurrence.
• Careful home management with monitoring tools ensures full recovery.

📞 When to Contact Ask A Vet

If your cat stops eating, vomits, becomes jaundiced, lethargic, or refuses food—reach out via **Ask A Vet app** 💬 immediately while heading to your vet.

✨ Final Thoughts

Hepatic lipidosis is daunting but treatable. With early intervention, tube feeding, liver support, and loving home care—most cats bounce back. With tools like Ask A Vet, you’re never alone on the road to recovery ❤️🐾.