Last Updated on October 8, 2026 by admin
Hepatitis in cats means inflammation of the liver. In cats it most often involves the bile ducts too, a condition vets call cholangitis or cholangiohepatitis. Common signs are poor appetite, vomiting, weight loss, lethargy and yellow gums or eyes (jaundice). Treatment depends on the type: antibiotics for bacterial cases, anti-inflammatory drugs for chronic ones, plus fluids and nutrition. Many cats do well when treated early.
For the bigger picture, see our guides to liver problems in cats and jaundice in cats.
What hepatitis in cats actually is
“Hepatitis” is a general word for liver inflammation, not one single disease. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, inflammatory liver disease is the second most common liver disease in cats, after hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver). Merck describes two main types:
- Cholangitis/cholangiohepatitis syndrome: inflammation of the bile ducts (cholangitis) that may spread into the surrounding liver tissue (cholangiohepatitis).
- Lymphocytic portal hepatitis: inflammation of the liver that does not involve the bile ducts. The cause is uncertain.
Cats with cholangitis often have inflammation elsewhere at the same time, especially inflammatory bowel disease and pancreatitis. When all three occur together, vets call it triaditis.
Acute vs chronic hepatitis in cats
| Suppurative (acute) cholangitis | Nonsuppurative (chronic) cholangitis | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical cat | Young or middle-aged adult | Middle-aged or older |
| Onset | Sudden, obvious illness | Ill for months or years before diagnosis |
| Main signs | Fever, abdominal pain, enlarged liver, jaundice, vomiting, not eating | Vomiting and diarrhea that come and go, changing appetite, hiding, on-and-off jaundice |
| Usual cause | Bacterial infection, often coming up from the gut | Thought to be partly immune-mediated |
| Core treatment | Fluids plus a long course of antibiotics | Supportive care, antibiotics, often a corticosteroid; some drugs may be long term |
Source: Merck Veterinary Manual, Disorders of the Liver and Gallbladder in Cats.
Causes of hepatitis in cats
Liver inflammation in cats can be linked to:
- Bacterial infection traveling up the bile ducts from the intestine
- Inflammatory bowel disease and pancreatitis (triaditis)
- Gallbladder inflammation, gallstones or blocked bile ducts
- Liver flukes, in cats that hunt lizards and toads in warm regions such as Hawaii and the southeastern US
- Infections that can affect the liver, including feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), toxoplasmosis, and some fungal infections
- Tumors or malformations of the bile ducts
In many cats, especially with the chronic form, no single cause is found.
Symptoms of hepatitis in cats
Liver disease signs are often vague at first. Watch for:
- Eating less or refusing food
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Lethargy, hiding
- Fever
- Yellow tint to the gums, inner ears or whites of the eyes (jaundice)
- Drinking and urinating more
- A swollen belly (fluid build-up, called ascites)
When the liver can’t clear toxins, cats can develop hepatic encephalopathy: dullness, circling, head pressing, drooling, wobbliness, seizures or collapse. That is an emergency.
How vets diagnose it
Diagnosis usually starts with blood tests (liver enzymes, bilirubin) and an abdominal ultrasound. Ultrasound can show changes in the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts, and can also check the pancreas and intestines for triaditis. A confirmed diagnosis of cholangitis requires liver biopsies taken from several parts of the liver, and samples of bile or tissue may be cultured to identify bacteria and choose the right antibiotic.
Hepatitis in cats treatment
Treatment depends on the type and on how sick the cat is. Your vet will tailor the plan, but it commonly includes:
- Fluids to correct dehydration and electrolyte problems; very sick cats are hospitalized.
- Antibiotics for bacterial (suppurative) cholangitis. Merck notes these cases are treated with a long course, about 2 to 3 months. Do not stop early because your cat looks better.
- Corticosteroids, often recommended for the chronic, nonsuppurative form because of its suspected immune component.
- Liver-protecting medications and vitamins such as B vitamins, vitamin K (for clotting problems) and vitamin E, as prescribed.
- Surgery if a bile duct is blocked.
- Nutritional support, sometimes through a feeding tube.
Never give your cat human liver supplements or medications without asking your vet. Several common human drugs are dangerous for cats, and overdoses of some vitamins are harmful.
Treatment cost
Costs vary widely by region and by how much testing and hospital care a cat needs. Blood work and ultrasound are the usual first steps; biopsy, hospitalization and feeding-tube placement add significantly. Ask your clinic for a written estimate for each stage.
What to feed a cat with hepatitis
Merck advises a diet that is easy to digest and high in calories, fed as small, frequent meals. Some liver conditions need adjusted fat or protein, so follow your vet’s specific recommendation, which may be a prescription liver or digestive diet.
The most important rule: keep your cat eating. A cat that stops eating for more than a couple of days risks hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver), which can turn a treatable illness into liver failure. Read more on how long cats can go without food. If your cat won’t eat, call your vet rather than waiting it out.
Hepatitis in cats life expectancy
There is no single number. Outlook depends on the type and how early treatment starts:
- Acute bacterial cholangitis often responds well to a full antibiotic course, especially when caught early.
- Chronic cholangitis is usually managed rather than cured. Many cats live comfortably for years with ongoing treatment; progression to cirrhosis is possible but not common, according to Merck.
- Cats with concurrent pancreatitis, or liver disease from FIP or cancer, tend to have a more guarded outlook.
Your vet can give you a realistic prognosis once the type is known.
When to call your vet
Book a visit promptly if your cat:
- Has eaten little or nothing for 24 to 48 hours
- Has yellow gums, ears or eyes
- Is vomiting repeatedly or losing weight
Go to an emergency vet now if your cat is seizing, head pressing, collapsing, unusually dull or disoriented, or has a swollen, painful belly.
FAQ
Is hepatitis in cats contagious to humans?
Feline hepatitis is not the same as human hepatitis A, B or C. Most cases in cats are inflammatory or caused by the cat’s own gut bacteria, not a disease passed between species. If your vet finds a specific infection, such as toxoplasmosis, ask your vet and your doctor what precautions make sense for your household.
Can a cat recover from hepatitis?
Yes, many do. Acute bacterial cholangitis can resolve with a full course of treatment. Chronic forms usually need long-term management but are often well controlled.
What antibiotic treats hepatitis in cats?
Your vet chooses the antibiotic, ideally based on a bile or liver culture. What matters for owners is the duration: bacterial cholangitis typically needs a course of about 2 to 3 months, and finishing it lowers the chance of relapse.
Why does my vet want an ultrasound?
Ultrasound shows the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts and can reveal blockages, gallstones, or inflammation of the pancreas and intestines, which often occur alongside hepatitis in cats. It is also used to guide biopsies.
Is hepatitis the same as fatty liver?
No. Hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver) is fat build-up in the liver, usually after a cat stops eating. Hepatitis is inflammation. A cat with hepatitis that stops eating can develop fatty liver as well, which is why nutrition is central to treatment.