PROVET HEALTHCARE INFORMATION
ANOREXIA (or INAPPETANCE)
Description
A prolonged period of inappetance or failure to
eat food is called anorexia. Anorexia should be differentiated from food
aversion which can occur in both dogs and cats if the food they are presented
with is unpalatable
Causes
The control of food intake is very complex, involving centres in the brain (see satiety).
Some common causes of anorexia include:
Consequences
The consequences of prolonged anorexia is starvation. As a result the animal utilises body stores of nutrients for energy. Initially body fat stores (as adipose tissue) are broken down to provide energy, but later the animal will breakdown it's own protein muscle mass to provide the energy it needs. Weight loss is the result with loss of lean body mass which can have serious consequences.
Sudden anorexia in obese animals (particularly cats) can be fatal due to mobilisation of body fat resulting in acute hepatic lipidosis and liver failure.
NOTE TO OWNERS
If your animal stops eating
for more than 24 hours seek veterinary attention. This is particularly
important if you have an overweight cat because anorexia can be fatal due to
acute liver failure.
Treatment
There are several techniques for managing animals with anorexia :
Last
updated : October 2013