Hepatic Lipidosis
Hepatic Lipidosis is a very serious disease in cats. It occurs in obese cats that have become anorectic. After a day or two of not eating, the body begins to use fat for energy. However, cats do not metabolize fat well, causing a build up of fat cells in the liver. This causes severe liver dysfunction and death from liver failure. Left untreated, it progresses rapidly and becomes life-threatening in a few days to a week after onset. It is seen primarily in cats. Rarely, ferrets and rabbits also get hepatic lipidosis.

Symptoms
The primary symptoms are anorexia and weight loss. The anorexia often is set off by stresses such as a new house, a new pet in the family, home improvements, etc. Any change in their lifestyle can be very stressful for a cat. It is extremely important that you monitor your cat's dietary intake during these times. Anorexia can be an effect of other disease processes also. Feline Infectious Peritonitis, Feline Leukemia, pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, hyperthyroidism, Diabetes Mellitus, chronic renal disease, and cardiomyopathy, among others can lead to anorexia and hepatic lipidosis. Any overweight cat that does not eat for 24-48 hours should be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Diagnosis
As you have just read, there can be a wide variety of conditions leading to anorexia. A blood chemistry profile, complete blood count, urinalysis, and thyroid level will be recommended if hepatic lipidosis is suspected. The veterinarian may also suggest an ultrasound procedure and/or a liver biopsy. All other possible causes must be diagnosed and treated along with the treatment for hepatic lipidosis.

Treatment
Possibly even before all the test results have been received, the veterinarian will recommend placing the patient on IV fluids and electrolytes. This will be used to try to stabilize the patient, and re-balance the body's electrolyte levels. If the patient has been vomiting, medication will be given to control it. Nutritional support will be achieved through the placement of an esophagostomy tube (a tube that goes down the esophagus and into the stomach). The technical staff at the veterinary hospital can then feed the cat directly through the tube. A liquid diet made specifically for acutely ill pets is used. Other medications used to treat hepatic lipidosis may include vitamins, antioxidants, antibiotics, and a medication called S-Adenosyl®, which is specifically formulated for patients with liver disease. The oral medications are given through the esophagostomy tube also.

Prevention
Hepatic lipidosis is the most common liver disease in cats. There has been no reported breed or gender predilection to this disease. It has been seen in cats of almost any age but is most common in middle-aged cats. The only predisposing factor is excess weight. If your cat is overweight, it is at risk for hepatic lipidosis. Diets formulated specifically for weight loss are available. Please make an appointment with your veterinarian to get your cat started on a weight loss program today. It is extremely important that the program be strictly monitored. The patient's weight reduction must not exceed more than 2% per week. That would mean that a ten-pound cat should only lose about three ounces each week. That may not seem like much, but losing weight any faster could lead to hepatic lipidosis.

Weight Loss Stars
We have over 30 pets currently participating in our weight loss program. They are all working very hard to achieve their goal weight. There are, however, no pets that have reached their goal to highlight in this month's newsletter. Overall there have been quite a few pounds shed and we are very proud of each and every one of them (and their families). We hope to have some champions to share with you next month.

From the Desk of Nya and Einstein
Winter health hazards are our subject this month. We two kitties are pretty much immune to these hazards because we are indoors all the time, and we don't have a Christmas tree around here. We just want to make sure you are aware of the potential for problems that are more common this time of year.

Ice
Ice-melting chemicals can irritate feet. If your dog or cat must walk in an area that has been treated, please wash their feet when they come inside. The chemicals can also make your pet sick if they ingest it while licking their feet. There are ice-melting products that are advertised to be pet-friendly. (While you're washing their feet, be sure to melt the ice balls that collect between the pads and toes. They are very irritating.)

Outdoor pets
We realize that some pets spend the winter outside. Dehydration and hypothermia are major killers of outdoor pets during this season. Here are some tips to make sure they have a healthy winter:

• Increase their calories since extra calories are burned in simply keeping warm.
• A warm dry place to spend the cold winter days is extremely important. Place their shelter out of the wind and, if possible, cover the door so it will close behind the dog as they go in and out. Straw bedding or wood chips are good, but check and change it regularly and be sure the dog is not ingesting the bedding. A blanket used for bedding usually does not stay dry for long. An elevated shelter is a great idea, but be sure the space underneath is enclosed.
• Fresh, unfrozen water is an absolute necessity. Change the water several times daily. Each bucket of water should be at room temperature when it goes outside increasing the time it takes to freeze, becoming un-drinkable.

Christmas decorations
Christmas trees are covered with pet hazards. Remember, anything that can be reached can be played with and chewed on. Rarely does a Christmas season go by that the doctors here don't have to do surgery on at least one cat or dog that has eaten "icicles", tinsel, ribbon, or the string from the popcorn that adorns the family tree. Broken ornaments bring about lacerated footpads and tongues, and sometimes they too, are eaten, and you can imagine what that might do to a stomach. There are several seasonal plants that must be kept away from pets. English holly, mistletoe, and poinsettia all should be considered hazardous. Should any of our friends decide to chew on any of these plants this holiday, call your veterinarian immediately. Also, all the wonderful food that is around the house at Christmas increases the chances of illness in cats and dogs. Pancreatitis is all too common this time of year. No chocolate, no turkey meat or bones, no pork products - try to keep your pet on their regular diet only,. and try to keep their schedule as routine as possible. Stress is a problem in pets this time of year as commonly as it is in humans.

Antifreeze
If you drain your car's antifreeze, please remember it is highly toxic. Pets are attracted to it because it has a sweet flavor. If your pet drinks antifreeze, do not delay!! Call the veterinarian immediately. Time is of the essence.

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