Hepatic lipidosis, or fatty liver syndrome, is a very common and severe cause of liver disease in cats. It occurs most commonly in obese cats that stop eating for prolonged periods of a few days or more. Without adequate calorie intake, the body must mobilize fat stores to provide the energy necessary for the cells to function normally. The large fat molecules first are broken down into smaller components called triglycerides, which are transported to the liver for processing. Once these triglycerides are packaged into usable forms by the liver, they are transported to all the cells in the body to provide fuel for cell functions.
In obese cats that are not eating, large amounts of triglycerides are transported to and taken up by the liver cells. Unfortunately, the uptake of triglycerides by the liver cells occurs more rapidly than the processing and repackaging. This results in a "log jam" in the process, and excessive amounts of the triglycerides build up within the cells, disrupting their normal functions. This disruption of normal liver function is termed liver failure.
One of the most important functions of the liver is its role as a "filter," which removes toxins and metabolizes drugs. Cats can develop severe neurological problems, such as hepatic encephalopathy, due to the buildup of these toxins in the blood. The normal liver also manufactures most of the clotting factors and carrier proteins in the body. With liver failure, bleeding disorders and edema can occur. If not reversed, liver failure is fatal. Early aggressive treatment is critical to reverse the mobilization of fat into the liver and to allow normal liver function to be restored.
