Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Spontaneous occurrence of hepatic lipidosis in a group of laboratory cats.
- Journal:
- Journal of veterinary internal medicine
- Year:
- 1993
- Authors:
- Biourge, V et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Physiological Sciences · United States
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
In a study involving six overweight adult cats living together in a lab, they developed a serious liver condition called hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease) after their diet was changed from a regular commercial food to a more purified one. Over about 6 to 7 weeks, these cats lost a significant amount of weight, around 30 to 40%, likely because they were eating very little or not at all. To treat them, five of the cats were fed through a tube several times a day with a special high-fat liquid diet that included extra nutrients. After about 12 to 16 days of this treatment, the cats started eating on their own again. Unfortunately, one cat had to be euthanized, but the study shows that with proper care, most cats with this condition can recover well.
Abstract
Clinical signs consistent with hepatic lipidosis occurred in six obese adult laboratory cats, housed in a group cage, 6 to 7 weeks after changing their diet from a commercial to a purified diet. The affected cats lost 30 to 40% of their body weight in this time period. This rate of weight loss is compatible with little or no food intake. For treatment, 5 cats were tube-fed three or four times daily with a high-fat liquid diet supplemented with L-citrulline and choline. All cats tolerated the diet, which contained 35% protein on an energy basis. Substantial voluntary food intake resumed 12 to 16 days after initiating treatment. The sixth cat was euthanatized. These observations suggest that 6 to 7 weeks of anorexia, associated with 30 to 40% weight loss, can induce hepatic lipidosis in obese but otherwise healthy cats, and confirm that with appropriate management the prognosis for cats with hepatic lipidosis is favorable.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8331615/