Hepatitis in cats

Hepatitis in cats is typically quite complex, as it is an inflammatory process occurring in the liver tissue. Like any inflammation that disrupts the normal functioning of affected tissues, hepatitis leads to the liver practically "failing." Understanding all the functions of this organ helps us understand the origins of certain symptoms. Today, we'll cover in detail the types, causes, symptoms, and treatments for hepatitis in cats.

Liver functions

Let's start with the basics to understand the full scope of the situation. Let's look at the functions of the liver in cats.

Digestive and metabolic regulation

The liver also plays a role in digestion, although it's more accurate to say that this organ is the link between the digestive and circulatory systems. Proteins and fats are broken down by the liver (however, it not only breaks down incoming substances but also produces new ones necessary for life). Glycogen, which is stored for "rainy days," should also be considered. The liver also regulates the release of hormones (particularly adrenaline and noradrenaline).

Formation and secretion of bile

It's excreted into the duodenum. It helps break down food (though it also performs several other functions, which you'll learn about below). Bile is produced in liver cells using blood. When hemoglobin is broken down, bilirubin is formed, which is the bile pigment. Bile helps activate enzymes (specifically lipase), which break down food.

Absorption of fats and synthesis of vitamins

Rather, this function can be attributed to bile, which (as mentioned above) emulsifies fats. These fats, however, can only be absorbed after combining with bile acids. After the gallbladder releases its accumulated secretions, the intestines begin to contract more effectively (peristalsis increases, facilitating the normal movement of food through the gastrointestinal tract).

Vitamin A is produced in the liver, and vitamin K and nicotine are also “stored”.

Regulating blood glucose levels

The liver's next function follows from the previous point: regulating blood glucose levels. As soon as they rise, the liver immediately begins to "reserve" by forming and storing glycogen. When glucose If there isn't enough, these reserves are destroyed, resulting in blood sugar returning to normal. However, if your pet has problems with blood glucose levels but their liver is completely healthy, they most likely have diabetes.

"Purification" and "storage" of blood

Excessive amount of medications/hormones/vitaminsMetabolic waste products—all of this accumulates in the liver. But if too much of this "nastiness" accumulates, the liver begins to die, and the toxins are once again carried throughout the body via the bloodstream, poisoning it. The liver is well supplied with blood vessels. Blood not only passes through this organ, as if through a filter, but is also retained. Therefore, if significant blood loss occurs as a result of an injury, the liver "gives up" its reserves to somehow replenish the circulating blood volume.

Protective function

It's not just about cleansing the blood of toxins, but also about disinfecting it from bacteria. The liver, "sacrificing" itself, traps as many microorganisms as possible (its cells are capable of phagocytosis). Therefore, even if a pet contracts salmonella (or another microbe decides to "annoy" the whiskered one), the liver suffers. A veterinarian, noticing the symptoms of an infectious disease, as well as signs characteristic of liver inflammation, will likely tell you that your cat has viral hepatitis. This isn't due to the specialist's poor qualifications or lack of experience; no, this is a general diagnosis. Like ARVI in Russia, the doctor won't say which specific pathogen caused the respiratory tract inflammation in our country, and the same can be said about viral hepatitis in cats.

Why do we need a liver? Watch this short and easy-to-understand video:

Can hepatitis be transmitted from cats to humans?

This question is probably on many people's minds: can you get hepatitis from a cat? Is contact with an infected animal dangerous?

If a pet is diagnosed with viral hepatitis, there's no need to worry about spreading the virus. Even if a cat's liver is damaged by the infection, hepatitis itself is not contagious! The most dangerous thing a sick pet can do is share the virus. The risk of another cat becoming infected is much higher than that of a person.

There's no way we can even talk about hepatitis C. Viral hepatitis in cats and hepatitis C in humans are completely different diseases. Their etiologies are different! Therefore, it's impossible to contract hepatitis C from a cat!

Types of feline hepatitis

There are two types of hepatitis in cats: non-infectious (toxic) and infectious (bacterial, fungal, viral).

Non-infectious (toxic)

Toxic hepatitis in cats develops not only due to the ingestion of poisons (including medications, especially if the dosage is exceeded or if they are combined incorrectly). Some medications can accumulate. The liver retains them to protect the body. But sooner or later, the "dam" will break, and all the accumulated substances will enter the bloodstream. The result is an overdose. And the inflamed, irritated, and "tired" liver will no longer be able to quickly and effectively purify the blood.

It's not necessary for poison to enter the bloodstream by ingestion. It can also be inhaled (for example, by a cat inhaling its fumes), through the skin (by a pet running through pesticide-treated garden beds, by applying drops to the withers, or by using cosmetics), through bites from venomous snakes or insects, or by injection (most often during medical treatment).

Parasites shouldn't be forgotten either. Firstly, they secrete toxins as part of their life cycle. And if the infestation is severe, a great deal of poison is released. The body is already weakened and exhausted, and the immune system is forced to focus on fighting the helminths. This puts a strain on the liver. Secondly, some parasites that live in the liver clog the bile ducts, leading to severe inflammation.

Infectious (bacterial, fungal, viral hepatitis)

Infectious hepatitis is most often the primary disease in cats. Even if the pathogen doesn't specifically attack the liver, it will still reach it (via the bloodstream). However, despite the vast array of microorganisms, viral hepatitis is the most common diagnosis. Why is this? Because it's impossible to pinpoint the exact virus that causes the disease. This diagnosis is more of a general one, allowing the veterinarian to understand that the disease is infectious in nature.

Causes of hepatitis development

Next, we will talk about the causes of hepatitis in cats.

Non-infectious

As mentioned above, there may be several reasons for the development of non-infectious hepatitis in cats.

• Toxins enter through the gastrointestinal tractThe most common cause is probably the ingestion of toxins through the digestive tract. For example, the animal's food is constantly of poor quality (moldy or sour). The cat could have eaten a houseplant (they love to nibble on leaves and stems), which is toxic to it. It could also have caught a mouse that was poisoned with rat poison (arsenic or other zoocides). And the role of self-medication deserves a separate discussion altogether. "Caring" owners stuff their pets with all sorts of things. Sometimes they use human medications, sometimes they exceed the dosage (some due to ignorance, others in the hopes of speeding recovery), and sometimes they even give medications prohibited for cats.
• TToxins enter through the skin and lungs.Less commonly, toxins absorbed through the skin or lungs can damage the liver. This occurs only if the animal is constantly exposed to toxic substances. If a cat inhales toxic fumes once, it doesn't necessarily mean it will soon be diagnosed with hepatitis. Early detoxification therapy will help the liver recover quickly. However, if the animal frequently inhales poisons or their skin is constantly exposed to hazardous substances, liver problems will sooner or later become apparent.
• ParasitesThis includes the release of toxins and mechanical damage to the liver itself (if the helminths parasitize it, attaching themselves firmly with hooks or suckers). The liver tissue damaged by the worms becomes more susceptible, opening the door to infection.

Viral

Viral hepatitis develops in cats because the pet's liver takes the brunt of the damage as soon as the animal becomes ill. If you've read carefully about the functions of this organ, you already know that the liver acts as a filter, a barrier that traps pathogens (through phagocytosis). While this reduces the concentration of pathogens in the blood, it also severely damages the liver. Therefore, virtually any infectious disease can cause viral hepatitis in cats.

Symptoms

The symptoms of hepatitis in cats are often so obvious that it is almost impossible to miss them.

1. The most noticeable is jaundice. This includes both the mucous membranes (in the mouth, conjunctiva of the eyes) and the whites of the eyes themselves. The more severe the liver damage, the more pronounced the jaundice.
2. If a cat has infectious hepatitis, the symptom will be an elevated body temperature. This fever will inevitably be followed by lethargy and decreased appetite (even to the point of complete refusal to eat).
3. Vomiting. Often with bile.
4. Diarrhea (less commonly, constipation). Feces are virtually colorless. The color of feces is due to bilirubin, which is a component of bile. If liver function is impaired (insufficient bilirubin production), the cat's feces will be gray or gray-yellow (practically colorless).
5. Vomiting and diarrhea cause dehydration in cats. To replenish their fluid reserves, the animal drinks greedily.
6. Since the liver (the natural filter) can't fully cope with its function, the kidneys are forced to work almost to the point of exhaustion. Because bile pigments enter the blood (rather than being excreted with bile into the duodenum), the urine becomes dark. Furthermore, protein may be detected in the urine during laboratory testing.
7. The liver enlarges (any organ becomes larger than normal when inflamed). Normally, this organ does not protrude beyond the last rib (on the right side). In cats with hepatitis, liver enlargement can be detected not only by gentle palpation but also by percussion.

The animal will give itself away because it's in pain. You can suspect liver problems even without percussion or palpation. As soon as you pick up the animal, it will become restless. Sometimes the cat will hiss and bite when picked up or held.

A biochemical blood test will help make a correct diagnosis. The bilirubin level will indicate whether the cat has liver problems.

Treatment

How to treat hepatitis in cats? Treatment should only be carried out under the supervision of a veterinarian and in accordance with the following guidelines:

• Without addressing the underlying cause, treatment for a cat with hepatitis will be ineffective. If the inflammation is due to intoxication, detoxification therapy is necessary.
• If necessary, administer antidotes (for example, in case of poisoning with rat poison, give drugs containing vitamin K), reduce the concentration of poison in the blood (intravenous administration of saline solutions).
• Liver support is essential (there are many hepatoprotectors, but Essentiale is the most common). Vitamin supplementation (particularly B vitamins) produces good results.
• The animal needs help. Antispasmodics (such as No-Spa, for example) are prescribed to help relieve pain.
• Antibiotics should be used with caution. They're essential, but they should be administered with caution (the liver is already agitated). If viral hepatitis is confirmed in the cat, immunostimulants and antiviral medications will be required.
• If allergy symptoms appear, antihistamines must be prescribed.

By following all these rules, you'll significantly facilitate your cat's treatment for hepatitis. But don't forget about nutrition; read on.

Feeding a cat

What should you feed a cat with hepatitis? The diet should be carefully monitored. Nothing fatty! For the first 24 hours after diagnosis, your pet should be kept on water only. Then, gradually introduce porridge (preferably rice or oatmeal). A small amount of lean ground meat can be added only a week after starting treatment for a cat with hepatitis (provided the animal is improving).

Some owners wonder what folk remedies can be used to treat a cat with hepatitis. While chamomile and rosehip infusions can be effective, completely controlling the inflammation is impossible without addressing the underlying cause and using medication. Medicinal herbs can provide some relief, but will they really be able to combat the underlying cause if the cat has viral hepatitis?

Prevention

As we know, the best cure is prevention. Be sure to vaccinate your cat against hepatitis—don't wait until your pet is infected. Additionally, the following preventative measures will help:

1. Vaccinate your pet on time. This will help develop immunity and resist various pathogens. The stronger the immune system, the less the liver contributes to the body's defenses.
2. Deworm according to the schedule (quarterly).
3. Do not feed raw fish or meat to your pet. This may lead to infectious or parasitic diseases (e.g. opisthorchiasis).
4. Do not give spoiled food (sour, moldy).
5. Don't feed fatty foods.
6. Do not self-medicate. Otherwise, follow the dosage and frequency of administration prescribed by your veterinarian.
7. Avoid keeping your pet in poorly ventilated areas (especially if you're renovating your home). Keep all potential poisons (household chemicals, paints, fuels, solvents, pesticides, herbicides, etc.) out of your pet's reach.
8. If you're treating your pet for skin parasites or washing them, be careful. Don't exceed the recommended dosage. And rinse off any cosmetics thoroughly.
9. Don't allow your cat to come into contact with stray or suspicious animals. Such contact is potentially dangerous (there is a risk of contracting infectious or parasitic diseases).

We hope this article was helpful! If you have any questions about hepatitis in cats, please leave a comment!

Read also:

• Liver cirrhosis in cats
• Hepatolux for cats
• Avitaminosis in cats: signs and treatment