Changes

*[[Diarrhoea|'''Diarrhoea''']] and [[Vomiting|'''vomiting''']] do not occur with all cases of hepatic lipidosis.

*[[Diarrhoea|'''Diarrhoea''']] and [[Vomiting|'''vomiting''']] do not occur with all cases of hepatic lipidosis.

*'''Palpable hepatomegaly''' may be appreciable as the liver enlarges with the storage of lipid in hepatocytes.

*'''Palpable hepatomegaly''' may be appreciable as the liver enlarges with the storage of lipid in hepatocytes.

*'''Coagulopathies''' sometimes occur in affected animals and may manifest as spontaneous subcutaneous, intra-articular or intra-cavitatory haemorrhage.

*'''Coagulopathies''' sometimes occur in affected animals and may manifest as spontaneous subcutaneous, intra-articular or intra-cavitatory haemorrhage.  The syndrome develops due to reduced absorption of vitamin K or failure to reclaim vitamin K in the liver due to diffuse hepatic disease.

===Laboratory Tests===

===Laboratory Tests===

Urinalysis may reveal '''bilirubinuria''' as the serum bilirubin concentration is increased as in any cholestatic disease.

Urinalysis may reveal '''bilirubinuria''' as the serum bilirubin concentration is increased as in any cholestatic disease.

===Diagnostic Imaging===

===Diagnostic Imaging===

The fat content of the diet should be restricted to limit post-prandial hypertriglyceridaemia and the carbohydrate content should be limited as high concentrations will reduce the oxidation of fatty acids.  In cats, a diet of the '''highest possible protein content''' is indicated unless the animal is showing signs of hepatic encephalopathy.  Even in this situation, it is preferable to attempt to manage the signs of encephalopathy medically while continuing to feed a diet with a moderate protein content.

The fat content of the diet should be restricted to limit post-prandial hypertriglyceridaemia and the carbohydrate content should be limited as high concentrations will reduce the oxidation of fatty acids.  In cats, a diet of the '''highest possible protein content''' is indicated unless the animal is showing signs of hepatic encephalopathy.  Even in this situation, it is preferable to attempt to manage the signs of encephalopathy medically while continuing to feed a diet with a moderate protein content.

Specific nutrients such as arginine, taurine, or carnitine may also be added and there is some evidence to suggest that carnitine supplementation may be beneficial in cats with hepatic lipidosis.

Specific nutrients such as arginine, taurine, or carnitine may also be added and there is some evidence to suggest that carnitine supplementation may be beneficial in cats with hepatic lipidosis.  B vitamins, particularly B12 in cats, should be supplemented if they are thought to be deficient.  Antioxidants (including s-adenosyl methionine (SAMe) and vitamin E can be added to the diet to limit oxidative Heinz body anaemia that occurs with hepatic lipidosis and to limit inflammatory liver pathology.

===[[Hepatic Encephalopathy #Medical Management|Hepatic Encephalopathy]]===

===[[Hepatic Encephalopathy #Medical Management|Hepatic Encephalopathy]]===

===Coagulopathy===

===Coagulopathy===

Supplementation with '''vitamin K''' may be required by subcutaneous injection if the coagulopathy is significant.  Most coagulopathies are responsive to vitamin K supplementation even if this is not the primary cause.

Supplementation with '''vitamin K''' may be required by subcutaneous injection if the coagulopathy is significant.   

==Prognosis==

==Prognosis==

*Tilley, L. P. & Smith, F. W. K. (2007)  '''Blackwell's Five-minute Veterinary Consult: Canine & Feline (Fourth Edition)''' ''Blackwell Publishing''

*Tilley, L. P. & Smith, F. W. K. (2007)  '''Blackwell's Five-minute Veterinary Consult: Canine & Feline (Fourth Edition)''' ''Blackwell Publishing''

 

 

 

 

 

**But as not lipidosis specific, not likely to be the main factor involved

**But as not lipidosis specific, not likely to be the main factor involved

*Higher serum triglycerides in lipidotic cats compared to controls

*Higher serum triglycerides in lipidotic cats compared to controls

[[Category:Liver_-_Degenerative_Pathology]][[Category:Cat]]

[[Category:Liver_-_Degenerative_Pathology]][[Category:Cat]]

[[Category:To_Do_-_James]]

[[Category:To_Do_-_James]]

[[Category:Dog]]

[[Category:Dog]]