Causes and Symptoms of Acute Hepatitis in Cats

1 Causes of Acute Hepatitis in Cats

1. Toxin irritation. Diseases such as feline infectious peritonitis, gastroenteritis, and uremia produce toxins that can irritate the liver, causing liver-cell degeneration or necrosis and parenchymal hepatitis.

2. Purulent bacterial infection. If a cat catches E. coli or staphylococcus, the bacteria can invade the liver and cause suppurative hepatitis.

3. Parasite infection. Parasites such as flukes and Toxoplasma living in the liver’s bile ducts cause proliferative inflammation; the toxins they release destroy liver cells, cause obstructive jaundice, and can even lead to cirrhosis.

4. Heart failure. Disordered portal circulation causes acute or chronic liver congestion, expands the sinusoids, compresses liver cells, and disrupts liver function.

5. Cat poisoning. Certain chemicals damage liver cells and cause severe hepatitis or necrosis – carbon tetrachloride, aflatoxin, copper, arsenic, and the like. Ingesting pesticide, rodenticide, or spoiled food also badly harms the liver.

6. Drug allergy. Repeated use of chlorpromazine, testosterone, and similar drugs can trigger acute hepatitis. Long-term lack of methionine or choline in the diet can also cause liver necrosis.

2 Diagnosis and Symptoms of Acute Hepatitis in Cats

1. Diagnosis is based on the cat’s history and clinical signs plus liver-function and urine tests.

2. Because causes vary, so do the degree of liver damage and the signs of abnormal function.

3. Early stage: the digestive system falters – poor appetite and vomiting.

4. Early stools are dry; as the disease progresses they soften and lighten, even turning gray-white when severe.

5. Lethargy, weakness, and slow movement.

6. Sometimes sudden restlessness followed by stupor or coma.

7. Yellowed skin or eyes – jaundice.

8. Fever and abdominal pain, with straining or crying during defecation.

9. Dark or yellow urine, in which bilirubin and protein can be detected.

That covers the causes and symptoms of acute hepatitis in cats. Illness is always uncomfortable, so keep your pet vaccinated on schedule to help keep hepatitis away.