More Information from Go Pets America
Lipidosis, Fatty Liver
Lipidosis is the deposition of fat in cells, and if carried to an extreme, can can kill the cell. Hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease) is a common disease in cats, when fat accumulates in the liver cells and the body becomes unable to transport the fat out of the liver. It is most often due to an underlying primary cause, such as kidney disease, starvation, obesity, diabetes, or pancreatitis. Idiopathic hepatic lipidosis refers to cases where no underlying cause can be identified. When fat accumulates in the liver, the organ becomes enlarged and turns yellow. As liver failure progresses, jaundice becomes visible. The risk of hepatic lipidosis is greatly increased in obese cats that do not eat for some periods of time. Illness, stress, or change of diet can trigger loss of appetite (anorexia), but also aggressive attempts to get the cat lose weight.
Hepatic lipidosis occurs both in cats and dogs; the incidence is higher in cats. The end result is often generalized liver failure. Management of hepatic lipidosis mainly involves controlled diets.
A severe form of lipidosis in dogs is associated with diabetes mellitus where a rapid buildup of fat will sometimes lead to rupture of the fat-laden cells, release of fat into the bloodstrem and obstruction of the arteries.
In dogs, globoid cell leukodystrophy disease characterized by deficiency of the galactosylcerebroside beta-galactocidase enzyme has been found in Cairn terrier, West Highland White terrier, Beagle, miniature poodles, domestic short-haired cats and some other animals. The deficiency of the galactosylcerebroside beta-galactocidase enzyme has been discovered in the brain, spleen, kidney, peripheral leukocytes (white blood cells) and fibroblasts (connective tissue cells).
It is a rare, progressive, fatal disorder inherited by autosomal recessive mode with clinical signs pertaining mainly the nervous system, particularly to the white matter of the brain and peripheral nerves. The onset of the disease is usually between 3 and 6 months of age.
Corneal lipidosis has been reported in the German shepherd resulting from hypothyroidism and thyroid gland cancer. This condition is characterized by destruction of the cornea and is associated with many inherited diseases of the cornea. The lipid deposits appear as white opacities on the surface of the eye.
Adapted from:
1. Think Like a Cat: How to Raise a Well-Adjusted Cat--Not a Sour Puss. Pam Johnson-Bennett
2. Veterinary Pathology. Thomas Carlyle Jones, Ronald Duncan Hunt, Norval W. King
3. Molecular Pathology. Antoni Horst
4. Essentials of Veterinary Ophthalmology. Kirk N. Gelatt
5. Color Atlas of Veterinary Ophthalmology. Kirk N. Gelatt
6. Raptor Biomedicine. Patrick Thomas Redig
7. Feline Medicine. Martha Cannon, Myra Forster-van Hijfte
Go Pets America recommends seeking the advice of your local veterinarian for the most appropriate vaccination program and for the diagnosis and treatment of your pet's health problems. For vaccination requirements please contact your state and local licensing authorities.
|