“Hepatometry in young and adult domestic cats using ultrasound”

Abstract

The liver plays a vital role in the body, including the secretion of bile and the metabolism of lipids and carbohydrates. Its evaluation is crucial for assessing patient health. In cats, liver disorders often alter organ size and structure. Abdominal ultrasound is a safe and widely accessible tool in veterinary practice, and it is key to assessing liver morphology, although its interpretation remains subjective. This study aimed to establish a standardized method for measuring the liver of cats and determine reference values for healthy young and adult animals. Clinically healthy cats without laboratory or ultrasound signs of hepatobiliary disease were included. Radiographic parameters from the literature were applied to confirm normal liver dimensions. The cats were divided into two groups according to their body condition scores: 20 with an ideal weight (Group 1) and 20 that were overweight or obese (Group 2). Standardized planes were defined for the left and right hepatic lobes. Measurements were taken three times per lobe to calculate the mean distance from the diaphragmatic surface to the caudal border of the liver. Groups 1 and 2 did not differ significantly in their results. However, males presented higher overall mean values than females, and the left lobe was consistently longer than the right lobe. The established reference values were based on sex and lobe: in males, left lobe 3.46 ± 1.23 cm, right lobe 2.80 ± 0.88 cm; in females, left lobe 3.12 ± 1.05 cm, right lobe 2.57 ± 0.97 cm. Further studies are needed to validate ultrasonographic hepatometry and refine parameters for use in animals with liver disease.