Hepatic Lipidosis is a common liver disease affecting cats, particularly those that are overweight. Refusing food for more than three days puts your cat at risk for this disease.
The body’s response to lipidosis can be a buildup of fat in the liver, preventing bile in the liver cells from being excreted. This is a toxic situation and can cause liver cell damage as well as liver failure.
Symptoms are weight loss, pale gums, jaundice (yellow gums, eyes and insides of ears) and lethargy. A blood test is necessary to diagnose lipidosis and an ultrasound or biopsy of the liver may follow.
Treatment is providing your cat with a high calorie, nutritious diet. Antibiotics may be recommended for any infection. Your vet might have to force feed your cat by placing a feeding tube in your cat’s stomach. Intravenous fluids may be administered as well.
If your cat has not eaten for two days, a veterinary checkup is necessary to determine the cause.
