Prevalence of Liver Diseases in Cats from Botucatu City, São Paulo State, Brazil
A. Melchert; F.B. Souza; P.T.C. Guimarães-Okamoto
Veterinary Clinical Department, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, State University of São Paulo UNESP, Botucatu, Brazil
Liver disease in domestic cats has been a common occurrence in the clinical routine of cats. Several diseases, inflammatory or otherwise, can affect the liver parenchyma and biliary system. The main symptoms presented by cats are anorexia, weight loss, lethargy, jaundice, and vomiting. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of liver diseases in domestic cats from Botucatu city, São Paulo (SP) state, Brazil. The medical records of cats treated between 2011 and 2015 were evaluated. One hundred twenty one cats with clinical signs consistent with liver disease were included in this study. The liver disease was confirmed through laboratory and imaging tests (abdominal ultrasound). Of the 121 cats examined, 34.7% were males and 65.3% were females. The average age was 7.5±4.9. The occurrence of liver disease in cats was 7.02% of cases among the 1,725 calls. The most prevalent disease among attended cats are hepatic lipidosis (59.85%); cholangiohepatitis (20.44%); feline triad (12.41%); chronic liver disease (2.92%); Platinossomiasis neogenesis and liver (1.46%); and finally acute hepatitis (toxic) and portosystemic shunt (0.73%). This emphasizes that many animals showed association of these conditions, as well as other systemic comorbidities, especially disorders of the urinary tract such as chronic kidney disease and disease of the lower urinary tract of cats. In conclusion, the liver diseases in domestic cats are frequent and can be cured if diagnosed early. Thus, the diagnostic investigation is important for adequate treatment.