WHAT IS THE breeds of cats with blue eyes
What is Hepatic Lipidosis in Cats and How Do You Treat It?
If you’re a cat owner, it’s important to be aware of your pet’s health status at all times. If your cat has
been diagnosed with hepatic lipidosis (HL), it’s critical that you know what to do and where to go in
order to treat this life-threatening condition as quickly as possible and help your kitty recover from it.
Learn more about this dangerous illness and how to deal with it here. breeds of cats with blue eyes
Symptoms of Hepatic Lipidosis
Cats who suffer from fatty liver disease are at risk of developing hepatic lipidosis. This happens when
your cat’s body begins to break down fat for energy, which can lead to dangerous levels of blood sugar
and a buildup of toxins known as ketones. If left untreated, hepatic lipidosis can result in brain damage
or death. Unfortunately, if your cat develops hepatic lipidosis, there’s no way to reverse it—but
treatment can prevent further damage. First things first: The primary goal of treatment is to reduce
insulin production so that glucose can be converted into energy again instead of being stored as fat. In
order to do that you need to carefully monitor your cat’s diet, exercise level, and insulin production
through regular blood tests. Your vet will also want to check their heart rate, respiratory rate, and
temperature to make sure they don’t have other underlying health issues. At home, you can help by
administering small amounts of food every few hours (instead of one large meal) and increasing physical
activity with short play sessions throughout the day.
Causes of Hepatic Lipidosis
This disease occurs when high levels of fat build up in your cat’s liver. The reason for fat accumulation
can be either diet-related or secondary to another ailment. Some studies show that diabetic cats are
more likely to develop hepatic lipidosis, so it’s important to keep an eye on your pet’s blood sugar levels
if you suspect a diagnosis of diabetes. If you notice any of these symptoms, immediately bring your cat
to a veterinarian: loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea (sometimes with blood), lethargy and lack of
energy. If left untreated, hepatic lipidosis can lead to coma and death within 24 hours. Left untreated,
about 80% of cats will die from complications related to hepatic lipidosis. Treatment usually involves
intravenous fluid therapy and force feeding. Your vet may also prescribe antibiotics, insulin injections or
other medications depending on what has caused your cat’s condition. Prognosis depends on how long
it takes to treat your cat after onset of symptoms; immediate treatment leads to better prognosis than
delayed treatment. However, if complications arise such as infection or organ failure during treatment,
then prognosis becomes much worse because chances of survival become much lower than 80%. breeds of cats with blue eyes
Treatment Options for the Disease
Treatment for HL typically starts with stopping or changing your cat’s diet. This can be very difficult to do
but is absolutely necessary, since any food containing fat may be toxic to cats suffering from HL. If you
own two cats who were fighting when they ate, it’s also likely that one of them was affected by HL; in
that case, both of them need new diets. Even if only one cat has been diagnosed with HL, there’s a high
probability that it will pass to other cats in your household if they continue to eat together. breeds of cats with blue eyes For these reasons, switching your pet’s diet is almost always recommended as part of treatment for hepatic
lipidosis. Most veterinarians recommend that you switch to a prescription-only diet such as Hill’s I/d,
which contains an easily digestible low-fat protein source and no added fats. Many veterinarians
recommend feeding up to three small meals per day instead of one large meal. The first meal should be
offered at 6:00 am (when most pets are naturally hungry) and then again at 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. In
between meals, make sure your cat eats plenty of water so she stays hydrated throughout her
treatment process. breeds of cats with blue eyes
Preventing the Disease
In most cases, hepatic lipidosis is a preventable disease. But you can prevent it by making sure your cat
stays lean through a healthy diet. Also, as your cat gets older, keep an eye out for symptoms of
abdominal pain and weight loss, which could indicate liver problems or pancreatitis that might lead to
hepatic lipidosis. If you notice these symptoms, consult your vet immediately—the sooner treatment
begins after onset of disease, breeds of cats with blue eyes the better. Don’t wait on seeking treatment to see if it goes away; it won’t! In most cases of advanced hepatic lipidosis cats’ treatment involves hospitalization along with
insulin therapy or high-dose intravenous fluid therapy; sometimes both are necessary. For example, one
study found that when patients were treated within 24 hours of developing hepatic lipidosis they had an
average survival rate of 73%. Those who were treated between 24- and 48-hours post-onset had an
average survival rate of 33%, while those who weren’t treated until more than 48 hours later had only a
10% chance of surviving. breeds of cats with blue eyes
Conclusion
Your vet will discuss options for treating your cat, but there are some common things you can do at
home to help with Feline Hepatic Lipidosis. Provide an easily digestible, low-fat diet – Keep feeding a
high-quality canned food that’s low in carbohydrates and protein. Be sure to avoid giving any treats
while your cat is recovering. This will help regulate their calorie intake, which is extremely important
when dealing with Feline Hepatic Lipidosis. If possible, talk to your vet about adding a probiotic
supplement to their diet during recovery. These supplements can aid digestion by promoting healthy gut
bacteria, which promotes healthy digestion of food. Make sure your pet gets plenty of rest and drink
plenty of water! Resting is very important because it allows them to focus on healing without expending
energy on other activities. Drinking lots of water helps flush out toxins from their system, which also aids
in recovery. Monitor your pet closely for symptoms like lethargy or decreased appetite – if they start
showing these signs, call your vet immediately! Without prompt treatment, Feline Hepatic Lipidosis can
be fatal within days. However, if caught early enough and treated properly, many cats recover
completely from hepatic lipidosis.