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==Description==

==Description==

Hepatic lipidosis is the derangement of lipid and protein metabolism, which occurs in cats and dogs, but more clinically significant in cats.  It is important to differentiate primary or idiopathic hepatic lipidosis from secondary hepatic lipidosis.   

Hepatic lipidosis describes a syndrome caused by derangements in lipid and protein metabolism.  It occurs in both cats and dogs but it is more clinically significant in cats.  Similar phenomena occur in horses, donkeys, cattle and sheep when they are exposed to periods of metabolic stress.  Hepatic lipidosis may be primary (or idiopathic) or it may be '''secondary''' to another disease.

 

'''Primary or idiopathic hepatic lipidosis''' is most commonly recognised in obese indoor cats following a period of anorexia.  It is the most common hepatic disease of cats in North America but it is becoming more common in Europe.  It occurs due to the accumulation of large amounts of lipid in hepatocytes, producing an acute hepatopathy.  The mortality rate of this disease is high unless it is treated aggressively.   

'''Primary or idiopathic hepatic lipidosis''' is most recognised in obese indoor cats following anorexia.  It is the most common hepatic disease in North America but it is also becoming more common in Europe.  It is an acute hepatopathy with a large accumulation of lipid in hepatocytes, causing the liver to lose its function.  The mortality rate is high unless the disease is treated aggressively.  The pathogenesis includes a number of factors:

The pathogenesis includes a number of factors:

*excessive lipid mobilisation which is induced by anorexia, illness or stress.

*excessive lipid mobilisation which is induced by anorexia, illness or stress.

*deficiency of dietary proteins and other nutrients, which reduces the liver's capacity to produce transport proteins and to metabolise fat.  Recognised nutrient deficiencies include arginine, carnitine, taurine and methionine.

*deficiency of dietary proteins and other nutrients, which reduces the liver's capacity to produce transport proteins and to metabolise fat.  Recognised nutrient deficiencies include arginine, carnitine, taurine and methionine.

*disturbances in the neurohormonal control of appetite resulting in inappropriate anorexia.

*disturbances in the neurohormonal control of appetite resulting in inappropriate anorexia.

'''Secondary hepatic lipidosis''' is a neuroendocrine response in dogs and cats to other diseases for example, [[Pancreatitis - Dog and Cat|pacreatitis]], diabetes mellitus, [[Inflammatory Bowel Disease|inflammatory bowel disease]] and primary hyperlipidaemia.  Secondary hepatic lipidosis is therefore less closely correlated with obesity and be seen in normal or even thin cats.

'''Secondary hepatic lipidosis''' is a neuroendocrine response in dogs and cats to other diseases for example, [[Pancreatitis - Dog and Cat|pacreatitis]], diabetes mellitus, [[Inflammatory Bowel Disease|inflammatory bowel disease]] and primary hyperlipidaemia.  Secondary hepatic lipidosis is therefore less closely correlated with obesity and be seen in normal or even thin cats.