Nothing wrong with an occasional snack of raw or cooked liver. The only
drawback is that too much can cause loose stools. Carol
It can cause hypervitaminosis A. I have included an excerpt from this
website http://www.maxshouse.com/feline_nutrition.htm
VITAMIN A
Cats cannot convert beta carotene (found in green vegetables) to vitamin A
as can dogs and people, so you must be sure that other sources of fully
formed vitamin A (found in animal tissues) are provided in the diet to
prevent a deficiency that can result in skin, eye, and reproductive changes.
On the other hand, hypervitaminosis A (too much vitamin A) is far more
likely to be a problem. This condition is typically seen in cats whose diets
have been oversupplemented with, for example, cod-liver oil, and those which
have been fed excessive amounts of liver which is highly palatable to cats
and may result in an apparent 'addiction'. Signs of toxicity, which usually
develops from feeding the diet over a period of months or years, do not
develop until the prolonged daily intake exceeds 17mg (57,000 IU)/kg BW.
Excesses of this fat-soluble vitamin are stored in the liver and a toxicity
can lead to hepatic damage due to lipid infiltration. Clinically, the most
recognizable, signs of hypervitaminosis A are those related to the skeletal
changes that occur, particularly in the cervical vertebrae and the long
bones of the forelimb. The periosteum appears to be particularly sensitive
to high levels of vitamin A and subperiosteal hyperplasia occurs around the
bony insertions of tendons and ligaments in response to physical forces
exerted in these areas. Bony exostoses result and may invade joints, causing
enlargement and ankylosis.
Initial signs may be of stiffness and pain, particularly of the neck and
forelegs, and the owner may first observe the cat's reluctance to groom
itself. This may be accompanied by anorexia, lethargy, weight loss and an
unkempt appearance. The painful lesions may induce an affected cat to adopt
a sitting 'kangaroo' posture in order to avoid weight bearing by the
anterior regions.
Treatment consists primarily of dietary correction and the provision of a
normal diet; supplementation with fish oils is strictly contraindicated.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are useful in the initial stages for
the control of pain, and food dishes may be elevated to facilitate eating
and drinking. Early treatment may bring about a resolution of clinical signs
and halt the progression of the disease, but established ankyloses are
irreversible.
Feed an average-sized adult cat no more than 1 ounce (30 g) of beef liver
twice weekly. If necessary, balanced vitamin-mineral preparations may also
be used as dietary supplements, but avoid giving unbalanced supplements such
as cod liver oil to cats, since 1 teaspoonful can contain more than 5000 IU
vitamin A. Use only balanced vitamin-mineral supplements recommended by your
veterinarian and follow directions for their use carefully.
> Nothing wrong with an occasional snack of raw or cooked liver. The only
> drawback is that too much can cause loose stools. Carol
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> >
> > Munkus