Vol. 10, Issue 12, Part C (2025)

The feline liver plays a central defensive role between the gastrointestinal system and the systemic circulation. Its unique positioning and dual blood supply expose it to a wide variety of infectious agents, toxins, and metabolic by products. Although the liver possesses strong detoxifying and immunological capabilities, several conditions can impair these defences, making cats vulnerable to hepatic inflammation. Kupffer cells-specialized hepatic macrophages account for nearly a third of non-parenchymal liver cells and form a critical line of immune protection.
However, this protection can be compromised by hypovolemia, ischemic injury, Cholestasis, Chronic liver disease, Portal hypertension, Immune dysfunction, Endotoxemia, and Structural abnormalities in the hepatic vasculature. These conditions increase susceptibility to invading microorganisms, systemic pathogens, and locally produced toxins.