Mary Allen
Only a veterinarian can diagnose liver disease in cats. Because of the abundance of possible forms and causes and the inaccuracy of the symptoms, the clinical picture is often difficult for laypersons to recognize.
If you have the impression that something is wrong with your darling, you should immediately consult a veterinarian. Certain behavioral problems in cats can be caused by liver diseases, which are not always obvious. The quicker the vet makes the right diagnosis, the sooner he can help the sick kitty.
Liver Disease is Difficult to Detect
Loss of appetite or rapid weight loss is possible symptoms that may indicate liver disease. However, other clinical pictures are also possible with such signs. No matter what is ultimately behind it: If your velvet paw suddenly stops eating, is very thirsty, or has digestive problems, this is a case for the veterinarian. You should also seek medical advice if the kitty seems noticeably tired, listless, or aggressive. The vet then has several options to find out what is wrong with your fur nose and whether one of the numerous liver diseases is really the trigger.
Blood Test: First Clues
If the cat appears ill, the veterinarian can do a blood test to find out what the cause is. Certain enzymes play a role in the diagnosis of possible liver diseases. If these enzymes are present in increased concentrations in the blood plasma, this means that the cell membrane of the liver may be gradually becoming permeable. This in turn shows that the liver cells are about to die off or have been damaged. Above all, the enzyme ALT (GPT) is important in the diagnosis of liver diseases in cats, since the other enzymes also occur outside of the liver and therefore cannot provide any clear indications.
Initial suspicion of declining liver function can be further checked by testing for liver dysfunction. The liver produces certain substances such as urea, cholesterol, and albumin – if the concentration of these substances is low, liver diseases can be the cause.
Ultrasound, X-ray for Diagnosis
However, the veterinarian can only make a diagnosis that is as reliable as possible by carrying out further tests. An ultrasound examination can be used to determine whether the internal structure of the liver is in order and whether it is properly supplied with blood. You can also have your house tiger x-rayed, which will reveal a greatly enlarged or reduced liver. The latter can indicate a shunt or cirrhosis of the liver. An enlarged liver is caused by a tumor, fatty liver (hepatic lipidosis), or cholangiohepatitis.
In addition, the vet can take a small sample of tissue from the liver with a fine needle to examine it for possible diseases. Your kitty does not have to be anesthetized for this, as the needle only pricks a little, but otherwise causes no pain. For a biopsy, on the other hand, the cat is put under anesthesia. In this way, a larger piece of the liver can be removed and a more precise diagnosis can be made.