Nutrition and liver disease

Abstract

Nutritional support is a key factor in the treatment of cats with hepatic disease. This is the only effective treatment in cats with hepatic lipidosis. The ideal diet would be one that fulfills all the basic energy and nutrient requirements of the patient, allows positive energy balance, provides all the nutrients necessary for liver regeneration, and prevents or aids the recovery from major complications of liver disease. Formulation of diets for cats with hepatobiliary diseases must also take into account their metabolic peculiarities. Anorexia is a common complication of liver disease and clinicians must take the necessary actions to ensure adequate energy and nutrient intake. No single diet will accommodate all patients and nutritional support must be adapted to each individual case based on the type of liver disease, extent of hepatic dysfunction, tolerance to dietary protein, and nutritional status.