Epidemiology
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Epidemiology
Breed Predisposition
In general, breed predisposition to the development of hepatic disease is difficult to ascertain in cats, due to the high numbers of domestic shorthair cats that are of mixed breeding. Increased incidence in specific breeds may be significant, although numbers are often small (Table 4).
Table 4. Purebred Breed Predisposition in Feline Liver Diseases | ||
Cholangiohepatitis | Congenital portosystemic shunts | Hepatic amyloidosis |
Lymphocytic cholangitis is more commonly seen in Europe, with a predisposition in Persian cats. | Congenital portosystemic shunts are most frequently seen in domestic shorthair cats, but two related breeds, Himalayans and Persians, are at increased risk (Levy et al, 1995). | This is a familial disorder in Siamese, Oriental and Abyssinian cats. The amyloid protein in Siamese cats differs from that in Abyssinian cats, which suggests that the Siamese has a unique isotype (van der Linde-Sipman et al, 1997). |
Risk Factors
Feline Hepatic Lipidosis
It is well established that there are two predisposing factors for most cases of idiopathic lipidosis: obesity and anorexia. Regardless of the cause of anorexia, an anorectic obese cat (Figure 13) is likely to develop hepatic lipidosis. The process may begin after only a few days of anorexia, but it usually does not become clinically significant until at least a few weeks.
Figure 13. Obesity is a major predisposing factor for feline hepatic lipidosis. (© V. Biourge).
Drugs
Certain drugs may provide a risk factor for development of acute liver disease in cats, with acetaminophen, diazepam and tetracyclines the best recognized (Center et al, 1996; Hooser, 2000).
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Affiliation of the authors at the time of publication
1Departement of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, United Kingdom. 2Royal Canin Research Center, France.
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