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Treatment

Your cat will probably be hospitalized for monitoring and for fluid therapy, since dehydration and fluid retention are causes for concern. Your cat's system will need to be detoxed to prevent critical damage to the brain and system.

Surgery may be necessary, but it is dependent on the underlying cause of the disease. If your cat has abdominal fluid build-up, your veterinarian will also prescribe diuretic drugs to treat this.

Living and Management

After your cat has been discharged from care, you will need to restrict its activity until the abdominal swelling has resolved. Dietary changes may be in order, but you will need to consult with your veterinarian before making any major changes to your cat's meals. For example, if your cat is suffering from abdominal distention, it may need to be on a low salt diet to mitigate the fluid retention, but if your veterinarian wants your cat to have more fluid intake with increased urination so that the system will clear, dietary indications will be different. If your cat is diagnosed with hepatic encephalopathy, your doctor will likely recommend a low protein diet, until the liver is at full functioning ability, but again, do not make these changes unless they are recommended by your doctor. Your veterinarian will plan follow-up care based on the underlying disease.