Cat Liver Disease - An Overview

The liver is the largest organ in the body, and is a complicated, reddish-brown glandular organ. Located at the upper right portion of the abdominal cavity, it secretes bile and is involved in the metabolism of protein, carbohydrates and fat. It is also a synthesis substance involved in blood clotting, the production of vitamin A, the elimination of toxins, and the breakdown of worn out blood cells containing hemoglobin (which carry oxygen to the blood). Besides being a versatile organ, the liver also has a great reserve capacity, and at any given point of time, the liver uses only a small amount of its potential to perform its many functions.

Considering its multiple purposes, liver cells called hepatocytes undergo complex biochemical reactions every second, and require a constant supply of blood. For this purpose, nearly 25% of the blood pumped out with every heart beat goes to the liver. It is natural that such a complex organ would have a great impact on the overall health of the cat.

Unfortunately, feline liver disease is a common occurrence, especially in older cats. At the same time, as there is a similarity in function of the liver and other organs, liver problems in cats also produce symptoms which resemble those that manifest due to many other diseases. Diseases that occur in other parts of the body can also cause liver problems in cats, a condition known as secondary liver disease. The pancreas is located dangerously close to the liver and the bile ducts, and pancreas disease in cats is one of the common causes of secondary feline liver disease.

If your cat is not eating properly or refuses food totally, has diarrhea, is losing weight, or suffers epileptic seizures, then you have every reason to suspect that there is something wrong with his liver. However, the most visible symptom is jaundice, seen as yellow color of the skin and mucous membranes. Jaundice may occur due to severe anemia, although in this case the liver is not diseased-- but is still a cause for worry, as the liver is overloaded with work. Jaundice may also be due to a primary liver disease if there is deficient excretion and/or obstruction in the flow of bilirubin, an orange-yellow pigment in the bile.

Where the flow of blood through the portal vein is obstructed may lead to accumulation of abdominal fluid, which is another prominent sign of a liver dysfunction. The obstruction causes blood to leak through the portal vein into the abdomen, which causes hypertension (high blood pressure). The problem is aggravated by low albumin levels, a condition that normally accompanies a diseased liver, because albumin is instrumental in retaining fluid in the blood vessels.

Whether the symptoms of liver disease are confusing or directly indicative, the importance of the organ necessitates immediate attention for a confirmed diagnosis and early treatment.

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