My cat has fatty liver. Is home care safe if she's eating now?

Question

My cat has been lethargic and not eating well after the introduction of a new cat. Yesterday, the vet did an ultrasound and said she had a lot of fat in her liver so we need to get her to eat at any cost. She's eating okay now, but isn't fatty liver a very serious condition that requires in-house care? I am concerned that she might still be in danger even though she is eating fine now. What are your thoughts? Is there such a thing as "mild fatty liver"? Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Female | spayed | 3 years and 3 months old | 11.9 lbs

Rodrigo Roca, DVM · Accepted Answer

Hello, thank you for your question about Sweetie. Fatty liver disease, or hepatic lipidosis, can become a serious life threatening condition. It occurs when cats suddenly stop eating, which leads to abnormal fat accumulation in the liver. The most important aspect of treatment is to ensure that the cat is eating, as this prevents further fat accumulation. Many cats with the severe form of this condition become very dehydrated and develops other symptoms such as vomiting, lethargy, etc. Many cats who are severely affected due require hospitalization and often placement of a feeding tube. If Sweetie has no sign of other symptoms and has already regained her appetite and is starting to feel better, I think it is ok to continue to monitor her at home. If you notice that she stops eating, develops any vomiting, or other symptoms I would recommend having her rechecked and consider in-patient therapy. Hope this helps!

My cat has fatty liver. Is home care safe if she's eating now?

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