Practice Scenario

Meet Autumn, an anorexic adult cat

Get to know AUTUMN

A 5-year-old, spayed female Domestic Longhair cat

  • Autumn is presented for vomiting, ptyalism, and anorexia. Some remodeling was done in the home and Autumn has been hiding under the bed for most of that time. The owner also reports she is unsure how much Autumn has eaten in the past week. Yesterday, the cat began vomiting bile and drooling.
  • Autumn previously had a body condition score of 7/9 but today is scored a 6/9. Her body weight has decreased by approximately 1.5 pounds since her last exam which was 6 months ago.
  • On exam, Autumn exhibits icterus of the sclera, pinnae, and mucous membranes. She is about 10% dehydrated and salivating, with elevated heart and respiratory rates. The rest of her exam is unremarkable.

Hepatic Disorders

Feline Hepatic Lipidosis

Hepatic lipidosis is the most common liver disease in cats. Affected cats present with a history of anorexia or hyporexia (lasting a few days to many weeks) and rapid weight loss. Most cases of feline hepatic lipidosis occur secondary to anorexia or hyporexia caused by another disease, e.g., cholangitis, pancreatitis (acute or chronic), chronic enteropathy, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, or neoplasia.1,2 However, healthy cats can also develop hepatic lipidosis if they become anorectic or hyporectic, e.g., due to stress, a sudden change to a new diet that is not adopted, or a lack of access to food.1-3

feline liver icon

A period of anorexia or hyporexia places the cat in a catabolic state.1 Adipose tissue breaks down, releasing fatty acids. The fatty acids are transported to the liver, where they shift lipid metabolic pathways out of balance, leading to an excessive deposition of triglycerides in hepatocytes. Swelling of hepatocytes blocks intrahepatic bile flow, causing cholestasis, and liver function is impaired.1,3 

While hepatic lipidosis can occur at any age, it typically occurs in middle-aged cats. Obese cats are predisposed due to the amount of fat that can be broken down, and insulin resistance to which obese cats are prone.1

Cats often are dehydrated in addition to anorectic or hyporectic when presented, and may be jaundiced, lethargic, and vomiting. Institution of intensive nutritional support is fundamental to treatment of hepatic lipidosis.

Key Messages

  • Stabilize pet and correct for dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities. Identify and treat underlying disease(s) if present. Begin intensive nutritional support as soon as possible.1 
  • Cats with hepatic lipidosis are anorectic or hyporectic and require assisted feeding to correct their negative energy balance. Enteral feeding is preferred over parenteral feeding because it helps restore intestinal motility and resolve villous atrophy.1
    • The use of an indwelling feeding tube allows convenient delivery of nutrients. The use of a syringe or “force” feeding is strongly discouraged since this causes additional stress and may potentially lead to food aversion or aspiration.2
      • A nasoesophageal feeding tube may be the best option for initial support since it can be inserted without sedation and used immediately. Only liquid diets should be used with these tubes due to the small diameter.
      • In a patient stable for anesthesia, esophagostomy tubes are quick to place and well tolerated by most cats. (Videos from veterinary specialists are available online if an overview of the procedure for esophagostomy tube placement is needed.) A gastrostomy tube is also a good option.2
    • Calculate resting energy requirements (RER) = 70 * body weight (kg)0.75 to determine volume of food.1 Start with 1/3 of the volume on the 1st day split over 6–8 feedings, then gradually increase to full RER over next few days. Feed slowly over 10–15 minutes and look for signs of nausea such as drooling or licking of the lips. If seen, temporarily stop the feeding and resume once resolved. Gradually decrease number of feedings by increasing volume provided per meal.1,2
    • Be careful not to overfeed or increase volume of food too quickly, especially initially, as this may cause refeeding syndrome.
      • Refeeding syndrome causes abrupt decreases in serum levels of potassium, phosphorus, and/or magnesium. Monitor serum levels closely, and supplement if needed.1,4
    • Feed a high calorie formula, such as a critical care or recovery formula, containing high protein (40–50% of metabolizable energy [ME]) unless pet is exhibiting signs of hepatic encephalopathy. If needed, blend food with small amount of water or liquid enteral diet to achieve consistency that will pass easily though the feeding tube. Be sure to flush the tube before and after each feeding with water.
    • Before discharging patient with a feeding tube, instruct owner on proper use and care. Allowing the owner to feed the cat while in the clinic can help alleviate owner concerns. Voluntary food intake at home should be encouraged by offering various dry and wet cat foods prior to each tube feeding. Warm the food to room temperature to enhance aroma and taste. The feeding tube can be removed once the cat is eating nutritionally balanced food reliably.
  • Monitor weight, body condition score, and muscle condition score. Once the cat is fully stable and eating well, diet and calorie intake can be adjusted as needed.
conversation starter

“Most cats with hepatic lipidosis will not eat enough on their own to overcome this condition, so a feeding tube is the best option to help stabilize your cat’s health. While this may sound scary, placing an esophagostomy tube is an easy procedure and usually very well tolerated.  Once your cat is ready to go home, we will show you how to prepare food and give it through the feeding tube, as well as how to take care of the tube. We will be sure that you are comfortable before you take your cat home.”

Related Tools and Content:

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Feline Chronic Enteropathy

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Diabetes Mellitus in Cats

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Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in Cats

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Portosystemic Shunts and Hepatic Encephalopathy

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The Purina Body Condition System

The Purina Body Condition System is an easy and practical tool for assessing a pet's body composition.​

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How to Perform a Body Condition Assessment - Cat

Assess a cat's Body Condition Score in just 3 simple steps.​

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Use Muscle Condition Scoring to Detect Muscle Loss in Patients

Muscle condition scoring is a hands-on method for evaluating lean body mass that can be used as part of nutritional assessments.

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Evaluating Your Cat’s Body Condition

Assess your cat's Body Condition in just 3 simple steps.​

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References

  1. Valtolina, C., & Favier, R. P. (2017). Feline hepatic lipidosis. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 47(3), 683–702. doi: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2016.11.014
  2. Webb, C. B. (2018). Hepatic lipidosis: Clinical review drawn from collective effort. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 20, 217–227. doi: 10.1177/1098612X18758591
  3. Center, S. A. (2005). Feline hepatic lipidosis. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 35, 225–269. doi: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2004.10.002
  4. Norton, R. D. (2016). Nutritional considerations for dogs and cats with liver disease. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, 52(1), 1–7. doi: 10.5326/JAAHA-MS-6292R2