Chronic liver disease in cats encompasses several conditions causing progressive hepatic dysfunction that requires careful management to maintain quality of life.
Chronic liver disease causes welfare compromise through the accumulation of bile salts causing jaundice-associated pruritus, nausea from hepatic dysfunction, and the lethargy of progressive metabolic failure. Hepatic lipidosis, often triggered by any condition causing anorexia in cats, is particularly dangerous because fat accumulation in the liver accelerates hepatic failure creating a vicious cycle. The welfare case for aggressive nutritional support through esophagostomy feeding tubes in hepatic lipidosis is strong - these tubes are well-tolerated by cats and enable the caloric delivery necessary for liver recovery. Inflammatory liver disease causes chronic low-grade discomfort that may be underrecognized due to cats' stoic nature. Effective management substantially improves quality of life.