Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences

Volume: 54 Issue: 4

  • Open Access
  • Research Article

Role of blood beta-hydroxybutyric acid estimation as a diagnostic marker of feline hepatic lipidosis

K. Asha Saigal1, O. K. Sindhu2, N. Madhavan Unny3, P. Vinu David4, Hamza Palekkodan5 and P. Biju Habeeb2

1. MVSc Scholar , Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, Ethics and Jurisprudence, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Lakkidi, Wayanad- 673576

2. Assistant Professor, Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, Ethics and Jurisprudence, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Lakkidi, Wayanad- 673576
3. Professor and Head, Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, Ethics and Jurisprudence, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Lakkidi, Wayanad- 673576
4. Associate Professor, Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, Ethics and Jurisprudence, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Lakkidi, Wayanad- 673576
5. Assistant Professor, Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Lakkidi, Wayanad- 673576

Year: 2023, Page: 973-979, Doi: https://doi.org/10.51966/jvas.2023.54.4.973-979

Received: March 31, 2023 Accepted: July 29, 2023 Published: Dec. 31, 2023

Abstract

Feline hepatic lipidosis (FHL), characterised by an accumulation of triglycerides in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes, is a common and potentially fatal liver disorder in cats. Hepatic lipidosis in cats can develop due to any condition that will impair nutrient uptake and is often presented with non-specific clinical signs. The present study describes the diagnosis of FHL based on clinicobiochemical, ultrasonographic, and cytological changes and evaluates the diagnostic utility of blood beta-hydroxybutyric acid (βHBA) estimation in FHL. Anorexia, weight loss, lethargy, vomiting, dehydration, and jaundice were the common clinical findings in cats with hepatic lipidosis. Serum biochemical evaluation revealed elevations in alkaline phosphatase (ALP), triglycerides, glucose, and total bilirubin. Ultrasonography revealed an enlarged hyperechoic liver. Fine-needle aspiration cytology of the liver revealed mild to severe vacuolation in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes. Blood beta-hydroxybutyric acid levels were found higher in cats with hepatic lipidosis than in healthy cats and cats with other hepatic disorders. Therefore, βHBA estimation, being a quick and non-invasive method, could be considered as a diagnostic marker in the early diagnosis of FHL.

Keywords: Hepatic lipidosis, beta-hydroxybutyric acid (βHBA), liver

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Cite this article

Asha, S.K., Sindhu, O.K., Madhavan, U.M., David, V.P., Palekkodan, H. and Habeeb, B.P. 2023. Role of blood beta-hydroxybutyric acid estimation as a diagnostic marker of feline hepatic lipidosis. J. Vet. Anim. Sci. 54(4):973-979
DOI: https://doi.org/10.51966/jvas.2023.54.4.973-979

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