Feline hepatitis is dangerous for humans. Treatment of hepatitis in cats

Hepatitis is called inflammatory process in the liver. It is diffuse in nature. Hepatitis causes the breakdown of liver cells, and the metabolic processes the body, the barrier and protective functions of the liver weaken. All this negatively affects the body as a whole. Hepatitis can be acute or chronic.

This disease can be caused by allergic, toxic or infectious factors.

Toxic hepatitis

A toxic factor can be the release of chemicals used as rodent poison. If a cat catches mice and eats them, then she has a very big risk poisoning with zoocoumarin, arsenic or phosphide.

Hepatitis can also be caused by exposure to industrial pesticides. This is typical for areas with unfavorable environmental conditions, for example, large cities with developed industry. Another possible variant– eating poisonous plants or food with mold.

Fertile ground for the development of hepatitis is the uncontrolled use of medications, exceeding doses or timing of administration. Often hepatitis occurs after an overdose of various potent drugs, antibiotics, sulfonamides. These drugs accumulate in the body and as a result, toxic hepatitis turns into allergic hepatitis.

Infectious hepatitis

Infectious hepatitis occurs under the influence of a virus on the animal’s body. This is a primary disease.

However, often such hepatitis is secondary. This is possible with complications of bacterial diseases, in which microbes produce various biotoxins that accumulate in the liver.

In any case, a number of predisposing factors play a serious role in the development of any type of this disease. These include venous stagnation and indicators general condition body: poor health, age, immunity, pregnancy, fatness, etc.

Symptoms of hepatitis in a cat

Regardless of the type of hepatitis, its first sign is parenchymal jaundice. In this case, the conjunctiva and mucous membranes acquire a bright yellow or lemon color.

The following are distinguished: general signs hepatitis A:

increased (usually caused by a bacterial factor);
decreased or lack of appetite;
increased thirst, the cat drinks often and a lot;
nausea, vomiting;
alternating diarrhea with constipation, feces being light yellow or gray-yellow color;
urine acquires dark color due to the increased content of protein, bile pigments and bilirubin;
the animal loses weight and is emaciated.

While palpating the liver area, the animal breaks out, behaves restlessly, demonstrating in every possible way that this is unpleasant and painful for him, and meows very pitifully.

The chronic form of hepatitis is dangerous because it can provoke the development of ascites - inflammation abdominal cavity with the ingestion of pathological fluid in a large volume and hemorrhagic diathesis - increased bleeding.

When severe pain occurs, animals often bite.

Allergic hepatitis is characterized by:

itching of the skin, peeling;
the appearance of urticaria;
in rare cases, bleeding in the affected areas of the skin.

If irritation of the liver under the influence of bacterial, viral or chemical toxins lasts for a long period of time, then hepatitis from acute becomes chronic.

Diagnosis of hepatitis in cats

To make a diagnosis of hepatitis, you need to provide all information about the animal that may be relevant to the disease, namely:

in what conditions the animal is kept, what it eats, uncharacteristic signs of behavior, where the animal moved and for what period, etc.);
the doctor to conduct clinical studies (examination, palpation, tapping the liver area);
take venous blood from the animal for biochemical analysis;
Conduct laboratory analysis of feces and urine.

Hepatitis is characterized by an increase in the level of bilirubin and urobilin in the blood with a simultaneous decrease in stercobilin in the feces.

How to treat hepatitis in cats?

For hepatitis treatment to be successful and effective, the cause of its occurrence must first be eliminated.

It is very important to adhere to strict and proper diet. You need to exclude all fatty foods. On the first day, it is generally more advisable to give your pet a therapeutic fast.

Approximately on the third day of treatment, you can begin to gradually give your cat porridge (rice, oatmeal, semolina and others). After about another week, you can add it to your diet. a large number of minced meat.

On the tenth day, the cat can be switched to a gentle diet. Very useful in treatment of this disease decoctions of chamomile, rosehip, immortelle.

From medical supplies use:

B vitamins;
essentiale;
antispasmodics, such as no-spa, baralgin;
antibiotics, in particular neomycin, penicillin, etc.;
saline solution with glucose and vitamin C - intravenously (this will prevent dehydration and intoxication of the body);
antihistamines (in the case of allergic hepatitis), this can be prednisone, diphenhydramine, etc.

Measures to prevent hepatitis in cats

The most important prevention is good care for the animal, control over the quality of food (there should be no toxic substances in the feed and water), timely implementation of the necessary vaccinations and regular treatment against worms.

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This disease is an inflammatory process in the liver parenchyma. It is accompanied by extensive hemorrhage and leads to its degeneration, cell breakdown and acute failure. Hepatitis in cats is difficult to diagnose due to similar symptoms to other diseases.

The main thing in treatment is to determine the cause. The main factors are the impact of toxic and allergic substances on the animal’s liver, the penetration of infection into the body, and the presence of helminths.

Infectious (viral) hepatitis . It occurs as a complication of past fungal, viral or bacterial diseases. Unvaccinated cats are at greater risk. After vaccination, animals tolerate any infection much more easily.
Toxic hepatitis . Appears as a result of the action of toxic substances and chemicals on the liver. It may be a consequence of drug poisoning, spoiled expired food and other products. All toxins enter the blood, accumulate and settle in the liver, which filters and cleanses the body of poisons. Long-term ingestion of toxins damages the liver and prevents complete healing.

Hepatitis occurs in acute or chronic forms. Acute - lasts for two to three days, and chronic - for several months.

Symptoms of hepatitis

Exist general symptoms, characteristic of all types of hepatitis:

the mucous membranes and conjunctiva of the eyes are colored lemon or bright yellow;
body temperature is much higher than normal;
loss of hunger;
severe thirst, a sick cat often asks for a drink, swallows water with particular noise and greed;
urge to vomit;
, turning into or vice versa;
the excreted stool is gray-yellow or light yellowish in color;
the presence of bilirubin, protein and bile pigments in the urine gives it a dark color;
visible sharp weight loss.

At the moments of palpation in the liver area, noticeable anxiety of the animal is observed. This speaks of painful condition and discomfort.

Allergic hepatitis, in addition to such symptoms, is also accompanied by peeling, itching, and urticaria. In some cases, certain affected areas of the skin burst and bleed.

Under the influence of pathogenic microorganisms, often acute viral hepatitis progresses and becomes chronic. The danger lies in the collection of fluid in the abdominal cavity () and hemorrhagic diathesis develops. Remember, hepatitis in cats is not transmitted to humans and it is not possible to become infected with it.

Hepatitis treatment

Treatment is based on eliminating the causes, dietary nutrition and taking special medications.

From the first day, after diagnosis, a strict diet is recommended. From the very beginning, the cat should not be fed, only given a large amount mineral water. If the animal refuses, forcefully inject liquid with a pipette.
After a couple of days, introduce light porridge into your diet, without oil. Oatmeal, rice, rolled oats, semolina are best. Low-fat broth or soup can be alternated with porridge. Be sure to give decoctions and infusions of rose hips, chamomile, string, and yarrow in between meals, which restore the functioning of the stomach, intestines, and liver.
After a week, add boiled meat, vegetables, and dairy products.
From the tenth day, with the onset of improvement in the pet’s condition, it is allowed to return to the normal diet familiar to the kitten.

Drug therapy is aimed at restoring liver function. For hepatitis, antibiotics, vitamin B, and antispasmodics are prescribed. A glucose solution with vitamin C is infused intravenously, which prevents dehydration and destroys toxic substances. Additionally, antihistamines are taken to avoid allergic manifestations.

Self-medication is strictly discouraged. An attentive pet owner with the first symptoms should immediately contact a veterinarian who will provide necessary help and will provide qualified treatment of the disease.

Hepatitis in cats and cats, as a rule, is quite complicated, since it is an inflammatory process that occurs in the liver tissue. Like any inflammation that disrupts the normal functioning of the affected tissues, hepatitis leads to the fact that the liver practically “does not work.” And if you know all the functions that this organ performs, then it becomes clear where certain symptoms of the disease come from. Today we will tell you in detail about the types, causes, symptoms and methods of treating hepatitis in cats.

Let's start with the basics in order to understand the full scope of the situation. Let's figure out what functions the liver performs in cats.

Digestive and metabolic regulating

The liver is also involved in the digestion process, although it is more accurate to say that this organ is a connecting link between the digestive and circulatory systems. Proteins and fats are broken down thanks to the work of the liver (however, it not only breaks down incoming substances, but also forms new ones necessary for life). Don’t forget about glycogen, which is stored until “rainy days.” In addition, the liver regulates the release of hormones (in particular, adrenaline and norepinephrine).

Formation and secretion of bile

And it is excreted into the duodenum. It is what helps break down food (however, it performs several other functions, which you will learn about in the text below). Bile is formed in liver cells using blood. When hemoglobin is broken down, bilirubin is formed, which is the bile pigment. Bile helps activate enzymes (in particular lipase), which break down food.

Absorption of fats and synthesis of vitamins

Rather, this function can be “assigned” to bile, which (as already written above) emulsifies fats. But they can be absorbed only after they combine with bile acids. After gallbladder“gives up” the secretion accumulated in it, the intestines begin to contract better (peristalsis increases, which contributes to the normal movement of food through the gastrointestinal tract).

Vitamin A is formed in the liver, and vitamin K and nicotine are also “stored”.

Regulating Blood Glucose Levels

It follows from the previous paragraph next function liver – regulation of blood glucose levels. As soon as it rises, the liver immediately begins to make “reserves”, forming and storing glycogen. When there is not enough glucose, these reserves are destroyed, as a result, blood sugar returns to normal. However, if your pet has problems with the concentration of glucose in the blood, but the liver is absolutely healthy, then most likely the cat has diabetes.

"Purification" and "storage" of blood

Excessive amounts of medications/hormones/vitamins, metabolic “waste” - all this “settles” in the liver. But if too much of this “nasty” accumulates, the liver begins to die, and the toxins are again spread through the blood throughout the body, poisoning it. The liver is well supplied blood vessels. Blood not only passes through this organ, as if through a filter, but is also retained. Therefore, if as a result of an injury there is severe blood loss, then the liver “gives up” its reserves in order to somehow replenish the volume of circulating blood.

Protective function

This is not only about cleansing the blood of toxins, but also about disinfecting it from bacteria. The liver, “sacrificing” itself, retains microorganisms to the maximum (cells are capable of phagocytosis). Therefore, even if a pet gets sick with salmonellosis (or another microbe decides to “annoy” the mustache), the liver suffers. And the veterinarian, having noticed the symptoms of an infectious disease, as well as signs characteristic of liver inflammation, will probably tell you that the cat has viral hepatitis. And this is not due to poor qualifications of the specialist or lack of experience, no, this diagnosis is general. Like ARVI in our country. The doctor does not say which pathogen led to inflammation of the respiratory tract in us; the same can be said about viral hepatitis in cats.

Why is a liver needed? Take a look at this short and clear video:

Is hepatitis transmitted from cats to humans?

Surely, this question interests many: is it possible to get hepatitis from a cat? Is contact with a sick animal dangerous?

There can't even be any talk about hepatitis C. Viral hepatitis in cats and hepatitis C in humans are completely different diseases. Their etiologies are different! Therefore, it is impossible to get hepatitis C from a cat!

Types of feline hepatitis

There are 2 types of hepatitis in cats - non-infectious (toxic) and infectious (bacterial, fungal, viral)

Non-infectious (toxic)

Toxic hepatitis in cats develops not only due to the ingestion of poisons into the animal’s body (including medications, especially if their dosage is exceeded or they are combined incorrectly). Some drugs can accumulate. The liver retains them to protect the body. But sooner or later the “dam” will break. And everything accumulated will enter the bloodstream. The result is an overdose. And an inflamed, irritated and “tired” liver will no longer be able to quickly and efficiently cleanse the blood.

In order for the poison to enter the bloodstream, it is not necessary to eat it. The toxin can enter through the respiratory system (for example, a cat inhaled fumes), through the skin (the pet ran through pesticide-treated beds, drops may be applied to the withers or cosmetics are used), bites of poisonous snakes/insects, or by injection (most often when treating the animal ).

Infectious (bacterial, fungal, viral hepatitis)

Most often, infectious hepatitis in cats is the underlying disease. Even if the pathogen does not “targetedly” infect the liver, it will still get into it (through the bloodstream). However, despite the huge classification of microorganisms, the most common diagnosis is viral hepatitis. Why is that? Yes, because it is impossible to say exactly what virus led to the disease. This diagnosis rather general, thus veterinarian makes it clear that the disease is infectious in nature.

Causes of hepatitis

Non-infectious

As mentioned above, there may be several reasons for the development of non-infectious hepatitis in a cat.

Viral hepatitis develops in cats due to the fact that the pet’s liver “takes the blow” as soon as the mustache gets sick. If you have carefully read about the functions of this organ, then you already know that the liver is a “filter”, a barrier that traps pathogenic microorganisms (by phagocytosis). Yes, this reduces the concentration of the pathogen in the blood, but the liver suffers greatly. Therefore, almost any infection causes the development of viral hepatitis in cats.

Symptoms

Symptoms of hepatitis in cats are often so obvious that it is almost impossible not to notice them.

The most noticeable is jaundice. And the mucous membranes (in the mouth, conjunctiva of the eyes), and the whites of the eyes themselves. The more the liver is affected, the stronger the yellowness.
If a cat has infectious hepatitis, the symptom will be an increase in body temperature. Fever will certainly be followed by lethargy and loss of appetite (up to complete refusal of food).
Vomit. Often with bile.
Diarrhea (less commonly constipation). Feces practically not painted. The color of feces is provided by bilirubin, which is part of bile. If the liver functions are impaired (not enough bilirubin is produced), then the cat’s feces are gray or gray-yellow (almost colorless).
Vomiting and diarrhea can cause your cat to become dehydrated. And to replenish fluid reserves, the animal drinks very greedily.
Since the liver (natural filter) does not fully cope with its task, the kidneys have to work almost completely exhausted. Due to the fact that bile pigments enter the blood (and not excreted with bile into the duodenum), the urine becomes dark. In addition, in the urine laboratory diagnostics can detect protein.
The liver increases in size (with inflammation, any organ becomes larger than normal). Normally, this organ does not protrude beyond the last rib (with right side). With hepatitis in a cat, liver enlargement can be “detected” not only by careful palpation, but also by percussion (“tapping”).

The animal will give itself away because it will be in pain. You can suspect problems with the liver without percussion or palpation. As soon as you take the animal in your arms, it begins to worry. Sometimes the cat hisses and bites when he is picked up or held close.

A biochemical blood test will help make the correct diagnosis. The amount of bilirubin will tell you whether your cat has liver problems or not.

Treatment

How to treat hepatitis in a cat? Treatment should be exclusively under the supervision of a veterinarian and compliance with the following rules:

Without eliminating the cause that led to the disease, treatment of a cat with hepatitis will be ineffective. If intoxication has led to inflammation, then detoxification therapy must be prescribed.
If necessary, administer antidotes (for example, in case of rat poisoning, give preparations containing vitamin K), reduce the concentration of poison in the blood (intravenous administration of physiological solutions).
The liver must be supported (there are many hepatoprotectors, but Essentiale is the most common). Good results gives the use of vitamins (in particular, from group B).
The animal needs help. For this purpose, antispasmodics (such as no-spa, for example) are prescribed, which help relieve pain.
You need to be careful with antibiotics. You can’t cope without them, but you need to prescribe them carefully (the liver is already agitated). In case the cat diagnosis confirmed viral hepatitis, the use of immunostimulants and antiviral drugs will be required.
If allergy symptoms appear, then it is necessary to prescribe antihistamines.

By following all these rules, you will make it much easier to treat your cat for hepatitis. But we must not forget about nutrition, read on.

Feeding the cat

What to feed a cat with hepatitis? The diet must be carefully monitored. Nothing greasy! For the first day after diagnosis, you will only have to keep your pet on water. Then gradually introduce porridge (give preference to rice, oatmeal). A little low-fat minced meat can be added only a week after the start of treatment for a cat with hepatitis (provided that the animal is getting better).

Some owners are interested in what folk remedies can treat a cat with hepatitis? Yes, positive results gives the sick mustache a decoction of chamomile and rosehip to drink, but without eliminating the causes and using medications it will not be possible to completely cope with the inflammation. Medicinal plants They can alleviate the condition slightly, but will they cope with the pathogen if the cat has viral hepatitis?

Prevention

As is known, best treatment is prevention. Be sure to vaccinate your cat against hepatitis - do not wait until your pet becomes infected. Besides following rules The following will help you prevent this disease:

We hope the article helped you! If you have any questions about hepatitis in cats, write in the comments!

They also diagnosed hepatitis and it is not known what type. They advise you to take a blood test and send it to Kyiv. In a couple of days they will tell you more precisely what kind of hepatitis, but this is according to the veterinarian. Or the veterinarian advises using the poking method. Feed with tablets for a month. Will it help or not? We sit and rack our brains. I feel very sorry for him. Just five years.
Good afternoon, a young cat 9 months old (Maine Coon) was diagnosed with hepatitis a month after castration, the doctor did not determine the cause of the disease and the type. The following treatment was prescribed at the hospital: injections of tetriaxone, hypovetal, teapratexin, hypral, trifuzol, glucose, catazol. They have been given since January 4th. Specialists, please help, confirm the prescription, is the treatment correct?
Elen 15:11 | 17 Mar. 2018

We are now also treating the cat for hepatitis. After sterilization, on the 5th day she stopped eating and turned yellow. The clinic took tests - Alt and Ast were off the charts (10 times higher than normal). I've been on IV drips for a week now, 2 times a day, fed with a syringe. But the result is not encouraging... Heptral has been administered for the 5th day, but the yellowness does not go away. She drinks water on her own and still refuses to eat food. We thought about not torturing her anymore, but those eyes... Today we will take tests.
Marina 06:19 | 17 Sep. 2017

Good afternoon I’m writing, maybe someone will be interested! The cat, once simply taken into “caring hands”, distinguished itself when the owner was very ill, first sat for several days at his head (before that he slept only in his legs!), and then woke him up in the right moment! a healthy, plump cat (8 years old) began to refuse food (this never happened), then hid in dark corners (at first they thought he was playing), slept all day, then: weight loss, pale, stopped drinking, going to the toilet... Marble, the pale, yellow-pink tongue was discovered by accident. There was no choice: we had to save! They took him to the vet and the diagnosis was hepatitis. They installed a system and about 6 subcutaneous injections. She force-fed her from a spoon every hour, carried her to the potty in her arms, and after two hours she poured in the broth. oatmeal, after the second system, while carrying it, he began to raise his head and look out of the bag, he himself drank a decoction of pure minced beef, holosas, water - forcibly, in the morning he himself came to eat a decoction with minced beef, drank highly diluted 10% cream, on the pot - in his hands. after the 3rd system and injections he ate, ate, asked for broth and minced meat. He came to the bowl himself, went to the toilet for all his errands. in terms of money so far 4000 for 3 days. very expensive for me. But there is no life without struggle! We found someone to give it to! The cat looks through my dad's eyes. Perhaps I can make just one more system! Next, do it yourself. If you are interested, write to us by email. With respect to you, M.V.