The liver is a very important organ in cats, since, among its many functions, is that of eliminating toxins from the animal's body. Unfortunately, it can be affected by various diseases that prevent it from performing its function correctly, with negative consequences for the cat's he alth.
One of them is hepatitis, which is nothing more than an inflammation of the liver that can appear as a result of various processes. In addition to early diagnosis and proper treatment, the feed for cats with hepatitis is essential for controlling this disease, as we will see in thisarticle our site
Causes of hepatitis in cats
As we have mentioned, hepatitis is nothing more than an inflammation of the liver that can respond to multiple causes. We'll go over the most common below.
- Infectious agents The virus that causes feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is capable of causing hepatitis, either in its "dry form ", in which hepatitis is accompanied by nodules, or in its wet form, in which hepatitis appears in the last stage of the disease. Also certain bacteria such as E.coli or some clostridia may be involved, as well as certain parasites (Toxoplasma). In addition, generalized infections of the body, whether by viruses or bacteria, are capable of triggering hepatitis.
- Drugs and toxins We have said that the liver is responsible for eliminating toxins from the body, so one of the most common causes frequent causes of hepatitis is exposure to agents toxic to the cat. Among them we find certain types of medication, such as paracetamol, which is very harmful to these animals and should always be avoided in this species, tetracyclines (a type of antibiotic), diazepam, whose overdose can be fatal in cats, or griseofluvin (a drug used to treat fungal infections). Also, other toxic compounds that are not drugs can cause inflammation of the liver, such as wasp venom or aflatoxins, which are toxins produced by fungi that can be found in food.
- Lipidosis In these cases there is an accumulation of fat in the liver, which can be accompanied by hepatitis. It can be caused by several processes, but it is typical of cats that lose weight so quickly that the liver is unable to effectively mobilize fat for energy.
- Other causes of hepatitis in cats: Some diseases such as diabetes or pancreatitis can cause hepatitis, as well as certain types of tumors and trauma.
Symptoms of hepatitis in cats
Jaundice is a symptom clearly indicative of liver disease, described as a yellowish color in the mucosa of the animal. This can be easily assessed by looking at the animal's gums.
On the other hand, a blood test allows you to observe the values of certain enzymes that rise when there are liver problems, such as ALT, AST, or GGT.
Also, in many cases of liver malfunction, nervous symptoms may appear such as disorientation, behavioral changes or seizures, resulting from the inability of the liver to eliminate toxic substances that pass to the nervous system. This is known as hepatic encephalopathy.
Also, in general, in cases of hepatitis you can see the cat decayed, with theunkempt hair and less appetite than usual, although this is common to many illnesses.
Food for cats with hepatitis
Before considering what foods to give to a cat with hepatitis, we must stress the importance that it cannot go without food for a long time even if you're not hungry. For this reason, if it does not accept dry feed, you should try wet food, in cans or sachets. In the market we can find special cans for convalescent animals that are a good option in these cases.
As a last option, you can administer reconstituent serums for cats, with a syringe, even if you have to steel yourself and force the animal, you can also try the animal's gums with honey.
As a general rule, the feed for cats with hepatitis should be easily digestible, so it is recommended that it be of high quality, and contain antioxidant substances. If there is hepatic encephalopathy, feeds with a high protein content are not recommended because they can worsen the process.
To maintain cats with hepatitis, there are specific feeds that are strongly recommended, in addition to food supplements formulated to help the liver recover. These products can be found in veterinary centers and specialized stores.
On the other hand, it is also possible to find some foods derived from plants that can be included in the diet of cats with hepatitis, such as colchicine, which is available in tablets whose dosage should be controlled by a veterinarian.
The boldo, which can be used as an infusion, although found in many herbal shops in liquid form, is of great help in most liver problems and its use is indicated in cases of hepatitis. It is advisable to put a few drops in the animal's food.
