Liver Disease

What is liver disease?

The liver is an amazing organ with more than 500 vital bodily functions. The liver is an integral part of energy metabolism, aids in digestion, regulates blood clotting, clears the blood of medications or other substances, makes immune factors, produces proteins, and stores products and blood for future use. The liver is the only organ that can regenerate itself, and replace damaged tissue with new cells. 

Causes of liver disease in cats include anorexia, inflammation, infections, parasites, toxins, medication side-effects, endocrine disorders, and cancer. Hepatic lipidosis secondary to anorexia and cholangiohepatitis (i.e., liver and biliary tract inflammation) represent two-thirds of feline liver disorders. 

What are common liver disease signs in cats?

Early signs include:

• Excessive drooling
• Decreased appetite
• Weight loss

Intermediate to advanced signs include: 

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Increased drinking and urination
• Fever
• Yellow gums
• Abdominal pain
• Distended abdomen
• Seizures or disorientation

How is liver disease managed in cats?  

If possible, the primary cause of liver disease should be identified and treated, with the overall goal of helping the liver regenerate new cells. This can include prescription diets, medications to cleanse the liver, supplements to protect cells from damage, and steroids or antibiotics. Severe liver disease requires hospitalization, feeding tube placement, or surgery. Cats with liver disease need regular veterinary visits and diagnostic monitoring. Discussing a personalized management plan with your veterinarian, and an internal medicine specialist, is important for the best outcome for your cat.

What is the prognosis for cats with liver disease?

The prognosis depends on the successful treatment of the disease’s primary cause. Liver disease that is caught early and treated appropriately has a good prognosis, while longer-term disease can result in fibrous scarring (i.e., cirrhosis), which prevents the formation of new liver cells. Concurrent pancreatitis and inflammatory bowel disease (i.e., triaditis), or liver cancer carry a more guarded prognosis.  

Management tips for cats with liver disease    

At-home needs include:

• Easy access to food, water, and litter box, and a comfortable location
• Consistency with prescribed medications or supplements
• Strict adherence to a prescription diet
• Monitoring for changes in gum color, appetite, energy, drinking, urination, or defecation

For end-of-life care:

• Try to keep your cat safe and comfortable
• Ensure adequate nutrition and hydration
• Monitor for pain or discomfort
• Evaluate your cat’s quality of life with our scoring tool
• Track progression of their health with our calendar

In a crisis situation:

• Contact your veterinarian immediately if your cat has uncontrollable vomiting or diarrhea, yellow gums, a distended abdomen, disorientation, or seizures; collapses; or vocalizes in pain. 

Before your cat‘s condition becomes unmanageable, or they begin losing their quality of life, beginning end-of-life care discussions is vital. Learn more about pet hospice, in-home euthanasia, and our teleadvice service, or contact a Lap of Love veterinarian in your area, so you can feel fully prepared for this difficult time.