Difference between revisions of "Hepatic Lipidosis"
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==Treatment== | ==Treatment== | ||
*Nutritional support for 4 - 6 weeks | *Nutritional support for 4 - 6 weeks | ||
| + | **Ensure the diet is of adequate calorific content with an increase in protein content and added arginine and ornithine. | ||
| + | **Treat for [[Hepatic Encephalopathy #Medical Management|Hepatic Encephalopathy]] if presented. | ||
| + | |||
Revision as of 11:36, 11 August 2009
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This article is still under construction. |
Signalment
Description
Hepatic lipidosis is the derangement of lipid and protein metabolism, which occurs primarily in cats only. Up to 50% of cats have an underlying disease which leads to anorexia. If treated aggressively, it is often a reversible process.
Factors which contribute to hepatic lipidosis are:
- Cholangitis/Cholangiohepatitis
- Obesity
- Starvation
- Pancreatitis
- Diabetes
Diagnosis
Clinical Signs
- Often obese cats following a sudden starvation
- Anorexia and lethargy
- Icterus
- Diarrhoea (sometimes)
- Palpable hepatomegaly (sometimes)
- Hepatic Encephalopathy
Laboratory Tests
Haematology
Biochemistry
Other Tests
Diagnostic Imaging
On ultrasound, an enlarged and diffusely hyperechoeic liver is seen.
Histopathology
Fine needle aspirate of the liver is normally sufficient for a diagnosis Biopsy and culture of the liver tissue is always indicated to determine the underlying cause of the disease.
Treatment
- Nutritional support for 4 - 6 weeks
- Ensure the diet is of adequate calorific content with an increase in protein content and added arginine and ornithine.
- Treat for Hepatic Encephalopathy if presented.
Prognosis
References
- Ettinger, S.J. and Feldman, E. C. (2000) Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine Diseases of the Dog and Cat Volume 2 (Fifth Edition) W.B. Saunders Company.
- Nelson, R.W. and Couto, C.G. (2009) Small Animal Internal Medicine (Fourth Edition) Mosby Elsevier.