![[Dividing Line Image]](../images/Divider.JPG)
Feline Fatty Liver Syndrome
The feline Fatty Liver Syndrome (FLS) is
also known as feline hepatic lipidosis. This disease is peculiar to cats and is one of the
most common liver diseases seen in cats.
The typical cat with the FLS has recently
gone through a period of anorexia (not eating). The chances of the FLS occurring are
greater if the cat was obese before the anorexia began. As fat is broken down to supply
nutrients for the anorectic cat, the fat is deposited so rapidly in the liver that it
cannot be processed. It becomes stored in and around the liver cells, resulting in liver
failure. The cat often becomes icteric or jaundiced as evidenced by a yellow color in the
whites of the eyes or in the skin. At this point, the disease will be fatal if not treated
rapidly and aggressively.
Diagnosis of the FLS is made from blood
tests for liver function and from a liver biopsy or aspirate. The latter involves
inserting a very tiny needle through the skin and into the liver, removing a small number
of liver cells, and examining those cells under the microscope. The FLS cat will have a
large amount of fat in and among the liver cells. Generally, other tests are then
performed to determine why the cat quit eating. If the cause for anorexia is treatable or
resolved, the prognosis is reasonably good.
This disease is very treatable, but
treatment of the FLS requires that the cat receive nutritional support until the appetite
returns. A consistently high quality diet will allow the liver to resume functioning so it
may remove the fat. This does not occur quickly; it takes an average of 6-8 weeks.
Therefore, a method of force feeding must be used to allow you to feed your cat at home.
Several routes are available for feeding
the cat. We have chosen to use the esophagostomy tube which is a small rubber tube that
enters through the cat's skin in the neck. It goes into the esophagus so that food can be
delivered to the stomach. It does not go into the stomach because of complications that
can arise.
A special food mixture, listed below, is
syringed through the tube three to five times per day. This food is formulated to meet the
cat's nutritional needs; it should not cause vomiting or diarrhea. To feed your cat,
follow these steps:
1. Place 1 can of Feline Growth_
+ 10 oz of water + 2 oz of Wesson Oil_ + 8 Tumil-K_
tablets in a blender and run it at the liquefy (fastest)
speed until the food is
uniformly mixed. After mixing, pour the food through a kitchen strainer.
2. Remove the cap from the feeding tube.
3. Using the syringe provided, inject
_____ ml of the food into your cat's feeding tube _____ times per day FOR A TOTAL OF ____
ml PER 24 HOURS. It is helpful to inject the food slowly, about 1 ml per second, and to
elevate your cat's front feet so the food goes easily into the stomach.
4. When the food has been injected, inject
5 ml of tap water through the tube so food does not remain in it; replace the cap in the
tube.
5. Any remaining food should be stored in
the refrigerator. Before the next feeding, it should be warmed to body temperature under
hot tap water or in a microwave oven. If you heat it in a microwave oven, be sure to
thoroughly mix the contents prior to feeding because of uneven heating. Also, always check
the temperature prior to feeding to be sure that it is not too hot.
Persistence is essential. The average cat
requires 6-8 weeks of feeding before it begins to eat. At least once weekly, offer your
cat a small amount of its favorite food so that you will know when its appetite returns.
The esophagostomy tube will not hinder chewing or swallowing. After your cat has been
eating well for 7-10 days, it should be returned to the hospital for tube removal. Removal
of the tube is simple and does not require anesthesia; however, you should not attempt to
remove the tube yourself.