LIVER

HEPATIC LIPIDOSIS

Species affected: Cats
Background: This disorder is almost never seen in dogs—and certainly not from the same cause as in cats. Cats that are overweight and suddenly stop eating undergo hepatic metabolic changes that may lead to the body preferentially metabolizing body fat; this leads to continued anorexia.
Symptoms: The onset is rapid and characterized by vomiting, anorexia, depression and electrolyte imbalances.
Diagnostics: Rapidly confirmed by blood tests.
Special Notes: For obese cats, fasting or even markedly decreased appetite for 3 days often results in hepatic lipidosis. Thinner cats can fast for longer periods of time, but are still in danger.
Principles for Supplementation: The therapeutic goal is to support the urea cycle while forcing food (usually via esophageal or gastric tube). Carnitine helps oxidize fatty acids in the liver cell; arginine may be deficient in these cats. Fish oil, zinc and antioxidants also support the urea cycle. Force feeding may have to continue for as long as a month.

FELINE PRODUCTS—HEPATIC LIPIDOSIS

Formulas:	Dosage:	Mechanism/Purpose:
L-CarnitineVET12	Cats: 1 capsule sid	Helps oxidize fatty acids.
CurcuVETSA5012	Cats: ½ capsule sid	Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Hepatoprotective effects are due in part to direct free radical scavenging; but curcumin also enhances the body's natural antioxidant system, which increases glutathione levels, thereby aiding in hepatic detoxification and inhibiting nitrosamine formation.
Hepagen-Fc12	Cats: 1capsule bid	Balanced formula supports the hepatic detoxification pathways.
Liver Protect27	Cats: ½-1 scoop sid (mixed with food)	Cleanses and regenerates the liver. Protects liver and improves liver function; antioxidant, antiperoxidative, and anti-inflammatory effects; protects against effects of prednisone; promotes liver regeneration.
Manganese Citrate12	Cats: ¼ capsule bid	Increases level of SOD; activator of many enzymes and constituents of some metalloenzymes; involved in bone and cartilage development, reproduction and lipid metabolism; antacids can inhibit absorption.
Milk Thistle27	1 capsule per 20 lb bid or 1 scoop per 20 lb bid	Supports normal detoxification process. Protects the liver.
Oxygenics26	Cats: ¼ tablet sid	Combination of antioxidants and herbs that support liver detoxification function and contribute to the formation of superoxide dismutase.
PerfusiaVET12	Cats: ¼ capsule bid	Source of arginine; supports the urea cycle.
Pyridoxal 5’- Phosphate12	Cats: ¼ capsule sid	Pyridoxal-5’-phosphate is the active form of vitamin B6. Animals with compromised liver function may have a problem converting B6 to this active form.
Omega PlusVET12	Cats: 1 gelcap sid	Anti-inflammatory.
Small Animal Antioxidant12	Cats: 1 capsule sid	Antioxidant with potent nutraceutical and plant-based antioxidants.
Vetri-Liver8	Cats: 2 bid of the bite-size	Designed to support liver health, methylation, and detoxification functions.