The polycystic liver disease in cats is a rare condition, which often results from the polycystic kidney disease. The liver will be affected by multiple cysts, which are small, benign growths that are typically filled with fluid. The condition is not life threatening and often, the cysts will disappear without treatment. However, if the cat has polycystic kidneys, the condition may be more severe and requires veterinary attention.
Causes of Polycystic Liver Disease
The polycystic liver disease in cats (PLD) is considered a genetic disorder. In many felines diagnosed with PLD, the condition is secondary to the autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (AD-PKD). Most of the times, the causes of the condition are unknown.
Symptoms of PLD
The polycystic liver disease will cause the swelling of the liver and the cat may experience abdominal pain and discomfort. You may also notice a swelling when palpating the cat’s abdominal region. Some cats with polycystic liver disease may not present any symptoms and the condition will only be detected during a routine checkup examination.
If the cat is also affected by the autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, there may be some additional symptoms such as:
- Kidney pain
- Changes in the amount of urine eliminated
- Increased thirst
- Recurrent urinary tract infections
- Hypertension or elevated blood pressure
- Calcium oxalate kidney stones
- In time, the cat can develop renal insufficiency
Diagnosing PLD
To detect PLD, the vet will have to perform some ultrasounds. If there are 2 or more cysts present on the cat’s liver, the diagnosis if PLD. The vet will also have to establish if the cat is affected by the autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (AD-PKD). Additional blood tests may be needed to establish if the cat has an infection that is associated with ADPKD.
Treatment Options
If the cat is diagnosed with polycystic liver disease and he is doesn’t have AD-PKD, the vet may choose not to apply any treatment. The cat will be kept under surveillance; however, the cysts are not likely to develop and they rarely turn into malignant growths. In many cases, the cysts will disappear without any treatment.
If the pet is affected by the autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (AD-PKD), this condition is more severe and may even be fatal. The cat can develop renal insufficiency. The risk of cerebral hemorrhage also exists in felines with a polycystic liver and ADPKD. The vet will recommend a low protein diet and will also administer medication to control the blood pressure and the other symptoms displayed by the cat. If the cysts are infected, antibiotic treatment will be preferred. Percutaneous aspiration of the cysts may also be performed in pets that are in a lot of pain. Surgical drainage of the cysts is rarely recommended, since it comes with numerous risks and may be fatal in certain felines.