Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Prognostic markers in feline hepatic lipidosis: a retrospective study of 71 cats.
- Journal:
- The Veterinary record
- Year:
- 2017
- Authors:
- Kuzi, Sharon et al.
- Affiliation:
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
Feline hepatic lipidosis (HL) is a serious liver disease in cats that can happen when they stop eating for a long time. In a study of 71 cats with HL, most were mixed breed, neutered females around 7.5 years old, and many had other health issues like gastrointestinal diseases or pancreatitis. The study found that older cats and those showing signs of weakness, low protein levels, and liver failure at the start were more likely to die from this condition. Additionally, worsening blood tests during treatment, like low protein and high ammonia levels, were linked to a higher risk of death. However, if a cat showed improvement in certain blood markers during treatment, it was associated with a better chance of survival.
Abstract
Feline hepatic lipidosis (HL) is a common, potentially life-threatening disease resulting from prolonged anorexia and increased catabolism. This retrospective study included cats diagnosed with HL based on liver cytology or histopathology (years 2004-2015), and aimed to identify clinical and laboratory parameters associated with mortality. The study included 71 cats (47 females and 24 males) and 85 control cats with non-HL diseases. Most HL cats (90 per cent) were mixed breed, neutered (70; 99 per cent), female (47; 66 per cent), indoor cats (56; 79 per cent), fed dry commercial diets (44 cats; 62 per cent), and with a median age of 7.5 years (range 1.5-16.0). Common primary conditions included gastrointestinal diseases, pancreatitis and cholangiohepatitis (31 cats; 44 per cent) and stressful events (14; 20 per cent). HL was idiopathic in 20 cats (28 per cent). The overall mortality was 38 per cent (27/71 cats). Older age, as well as dullness, weakness, ptyalism, hypoproteinaemia, hypoalbuminaemia, increased serum creatine kinase activity, hypocholesterolaemia and hepatic failure at presentation were significantly (P≤0.033) associated with mortality. The primary disease was unassociated with mortality. Worsening hypoalbuminaemia, hyperammonaemia, hyperbilirubinaemia, electrolyte disorders, and occurrence of cavitary effusions or hypotension during hospitalisation were significantly (P≤0.045) associated with mortality. A decrease of serum β-hydroxybutyrate during hospitalisation was significantly (P=0.01) associated with survival, likely reflecting improvement in the catabolic state. The identified risk factors may be therapeutic targets.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28978714/