Liver Diseases in Cats

Cats are prone to a number of liver ailments, including hepatic lipidosis, general hepatitis, and cholagiohepatitis. Older cats are most susceptible to these conditions, although young cats can also develop these liver problems.

In older cats, the liver often doesn’t work as efficiently as it does in younger animals. For this reason, nutritional supplements containing milk thistle are particularly important for senior felines. Milk thistle helps to improve the liver function in cats.

While the causes of liver diseases are varied, the goal of any holistic treatment plan is to restore the health of the liver. See the Natural Treatments section to learn how milk thistle and antioxidants can aid in the regeneration of the liver.

Feline Hepatic Lipidosis

Supplements for cats with fatty liver disease and other liver problems:

Additional Support:
Liver and Immunity Support

Small Animal Antioxidant

Return to
General Liver Disorders

Diagnosis of Hepatic Lipidosis

Hepatis lipidosis is diagnosed by evaluating the cat's symptoms and through a blood test that exams the cat's liver function.

Conventional Treatments

The first course of treatment for a cat diagnosed with hepatic lipidosis is to get the cat to eat. If the cat refuses food, a stomach tube can be surgically implanted, and liquified food can then be put directly into the cat's stomach. Antibiotics may also be given to combat a possible secondary bacterial infection.

Traditional treatment for feline hepatic lipidosis can be supported with natural supplements that help foster liver health. These include milk thistle, S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe), borage oil and certain amino acids.

See the Natural Treatments section for more information on using nutraceuticals to help heal and regenerate the liver.

General Hepatitis in Cats

Diagnosis

Cats suffering from hepatitis are diagnosed through a blood test, which helps veterinarians evaluate liver function. Veterinarians sometimes perform a biopsy on the liver to determine the exact cause of the symptoms, which include loss of appetite, vomiting and weight loss.

Conventional Treatment

Traditional treatment for hepatitis depends on what is causing the problem, and may include antibiotics, steroids or ursodiol. Natural alternatives that support the liver through a bout of hepatitis include milk thistle, S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe), licorice root and ginseng.

See the Natural Treatments section for more information on using nutraceuticals to help heal and regenerate the liver.

Cholagiohepatitis

Diagnosis

Cholagiohepatitis is diagnosed by evaluating liver values and white blood count through a blood test. A liver biopsy may also be performed to help confirm the diagnosis. Symptoms can include fever, vomiting, loss of appetite and depression.

Conventional Treatment

Veterinarians treat cholagiohepatitis traditionally with antibiotics, steroids and/or an appetite stimulant. Surgery is sometimes performed on the bile ducts. Natural remedies that can support the body in this condition include zizyphus fruit, milk thistle and bupleurum root.

See the Natural Treatments section for more information on using nutraceuticals to help heal and regenerate the liver.

Back to top

Natural Treatments for Liver Diseases

Diet plays an important role in the healing of the liver. Small, frequent meals which are low in fat and contain easily digestible grains will help minimize the work that the liver must do while it heals.

There are several nutraceuticals that aid in treating liver diseases and are especially beneficial to restoring the health of the liver when steroids and other prescription drugs are used.

Milk thistle is often the herb of choice among holistic veterinaraians because it is a powerful antioxidant.

Milk thistle as a healing agent

Silybum marianum (milk thistle) is one of the most important herbal liver tonics and restoratives for your pet. Scientific analysis shows that milk thistle contains silymarin - a powerful antioxidant which can block the entry of toxins into the liver and remove them at cellular level, resulting in regeneration of liver cells and improved liver function.

More potent as an antioxidant than Vitamin E, silymarin acts as a scavenger on free radicals (molecules that cause cell damage), as well as increasing levels of glutathione (a prime antioxidant that protects major organs) and inhibiting the formation of damaging leukotrienes (an inflammatory agent). Silymarin also stimulates the production of new liver cells to repair damage caused by disease.

In addition to milk thistle (silymarin), there are several other nutrients which are beneficial to the liver:

• Burdock - Used for centuries as a blood purifier and cleanser.
• Natrium Phosphate - A tissue salt that helps to assimilate fats and promote the flow of bile from the gall bladder.
• Natrium Sulphate - A tissue salt often recommended to detoxify the liver.
• Dimethyglycine (DMG) – An amino acid that helps rebuild liver cells and encourages the elimination of toxins in the body.
• Pyridoxal 5'Phospate – The active form of B6, an essential vitamin that is not easily broken down in pets with compromised livers.
• Vitamin B12 – An important vitamin needed for proper digestion and absorption of food.
• Choline Citrate – A chemical used by the liver to move fats in and out of the cells, which is crucial to liver health.
• Methionine – An amino acid needed for proper detoxification of the liver.
• N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine – An amino acid that is aids in the removal of toxins from the liver.
• Turmeric Extract – A potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
• Alpha Lipoic Acid – A powerful antioxidant that enhances the antioxidient effects of Vitamins C and E.
• Coenzyme Q10 – Also known as Vitamin Q, this nutrient is essential for healthy liver function.
• Antioxidants -  Chemicals that capture damaging free radicals in the body and encourage healthy liver cells.

To aid in the healing of the liver, we suggest the following product containing milk thistle and other beneficial nutrients:

LiverAid by PetAlive

LiverAid is an herbal and homeopathic remedy that contains nutrients which improve liver functions and help to eliminate toxins from the body.

To purchase or read more about LiverAid...

Immunity and Liver Support by PetAlive

Immunity and Liver Support strengthens and improves immune system and liver functioning in dogs and cats. Helps to counter the harmful effects of frequent vaccinations and antibiotic treatment.

To purchase or learn more about Immunity and Liver Support..

.

Detox Plus from PetAlive

This natural herbal remedy helps to prevent the buildup of harmful toxins (i.e. insecticides, cigarette smoke, flea collars, food preservatives to name a few) in your pet's body. Detox Plus improves liver functioning, metabolism, thyroid health and your pet's ability to eliminate toxins.

To purchase or read more about Detox Plus...

For additional support, ask your vet if an antioxidant formula would help the overall health of your pet.

Small Animal Antioxidant

This formual combines vitamins A, C, E, beta carotene, and selenium (all potent free-radical scavengers) with grape seed extract, lipoic acid and silymarin (all potent antixidants). It can be used alone or in combination with Hepagen.

To purchase or read more about Small Animal Antioxidant...

If your pet has a liver condition you'd like to learn more about, send us an email and will try to include it in future updates to this website. See our Contact Us page.