Uncomplicated hepatic lipidosis in a 5-year-old female spayed domestic shorthair cat

Abstract

Feline hepatic lipidosis (FHL) is a life threatening cholestatic disease that is common within the U.S. The syndrome is preceded by a period of anorexia during which the cat mobilizes peripheral fat stores to meet the body's energy demands. Due to feline nutritional idiosyncrasies, the cat becomes unable to metabolize these fats, which accumulate in the liver. Obesity is a major predisposing factor for the condition and the typical patient is middle aged (7 years). Supportive therapy and enteral nutrition are the primary means of therapy with a good to fair prognosis for idiopathic cases. The majority of cats presenting with FHL will have underlying disease processes and therefore every case should have an aggressive work-up to elucidate the cause of anorexia. The presence of underlying disease is associated with greater mortality and this should be discussed with clients before commencing therapy.