What Is Hepatitis?
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver which occurs when toxins build up in your cat's bloodstream. There are different kinds of hepatitis that can affect cats. These all have separate causes behind them:
- Liver infections - These can affect the way the liver functions, especially if the number of white blood cells around the bile ducts rises too much. Liver infections can be bacterial or fungal.
- Feline Fatty Liver Disease - This occurs if a cat is obese and stops eating suddenly. Fat builds up in the liver and can prevent it from working properly.
- Feline Infectious Peritonitis - This is an incurable disease which is eventually fatal to cats. Hepatitis can be a side effect of this condition as it causes multiple organ failure. To avoid any chance of your cat contracting it, always make sure its vaccinations are up to date.
- Tapeworms
- Cysts
- Cushing's Syndrome - A hormonal disorder.
- Leukaemia
- Toxoplasmosis
What Are the Symptoms of Hepatitis?
Hepatitis is difficult to diagnose until the disease is quite developed. Symptoms of liver problems might include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Jaundice - A yellowing of the gums, eyes and ears.
- Lack of energy
- Weight loss
- Swollen abdomen
- Irritable behavior
While hepatitis is a condition in its own right, it could also be a symptom of a more serious underlying problem. Diagnosis will require blood tests, X-Rays and even a liver biopsy.
How Actigall Can Help
Actigall is a brand name of Ursodeoxycholic acid. It is one of the few drugs that can be used in both humans and animals and can only be prescribed by your vet. Actigall is a natural bile which is found in small quantities in the body and works as an anti-inflammatory. It cuts down the amount of cholesterol that forms in your cat's liver and reduces the amount of cholesterol that is absorbed from the intestines. It also prevents other bile salts from harming the liver and improves the flow of bile around the affected organ.
Actigall comes in tablet form. Your vet will prescribe a specific dosage which will usually be somewhere between 5mg and 7mg per pound of weight. Giving the tablet to your cat with food will not only make it easier for the cat to swallow but will also help the absorption of the medicine into the blood stream.
Actigall Side Effects
Actigall is a safe medication but occasionally cats may experience some side effects. The most common adverse reaction is diarrhea.
Cats who have suffered from cholecystitis, an inflammation of the gall bladder, or have calcified gallstones in their gallbladder should not be prescribed the medicine. If your cat has had cholangitis, pancreatitis or a biliary obstruction in the past you should keep a close eye on him while he is taking Actigall.
Hepatitis can be a worrying condition but with Actigall your cat's symptoms can be relieved and he can begin the road to recovery.