Abstract: Characterization of Serum Lipoprotein Profiles of Healthy, Adult Cats and Idiopathic Feline Hepatic Lipidosis Patients

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Characterization of Serum Lipoprotein Profiles of Healthy, Adult Cats and Idiopathic Feline Hepatic Lipidosis Patients

Helene E. Pazak, Joseph W. Bartges, Larry C. Cornelius, Melissa A. Scott, Kathy Gross and Thomas L. Huber

Hepatic lipidosis is one of the most common hepatobiliary disorders in cats. Signs of hepatic lipidosis include anorexia, weight loss, vomiting and lethargy. Hepatic lipidosis occurs when the accumulation of triglyceride in the liver is greater than 5% of the gross liver weight.

Since recreating the conditions that allow for the development of hepatic lipidosis in a controlled condition were not feasible, serum lipid and lipoprotein fractions, NEFA (nonesterified fatty acids) and B-hydroxybutyrate concentrations were determined in healthy, adult neutered male and female cats after an overnight fast and served as a basis for the comparison.

As a control population, eight female and eight male neutered cats were used. After a physical examination, the cats were determined to be healthy.

The cats ranged in age and had been neutered 3 months prior to the blood sampling. The cats were housed in accordance with The University of Georgia Institutional Animal care and Use Committee guidelines and were fed a diet provided by Hill's Pet Nutrition.

Between November 1995 and October 1996, six castrated male and four spayed female cats were presented to the University of Georgia Veterinary Teaching Hospital with the diagnosis of IFHL (idiopathic feline hepatic lipidosis). After a needle aspirate and/or biopsy of the liver the diagnoses ranged from moderate to severe hepatic lipidosis.

After an overnight fast of 16 hours, blood samples for serum lipid, lipoprotein, NEFA and B-hydroxybutyrate concentrations were collected from the control cats. Blood samples were also obtained from IFHL patients and stored at -20oC until analysis could be completed.

The serum triglyceride concentration of IFHL was significantly different from and approximately...