response 9 of 66:

Mar 15 23:37 UTC 2001

"Hepatic lipidosis commonly is called fatty liver syndrome because the cat's
liver actually becomes filled with fat.  A severe liver
disease that can be fatal, hepatic lipidosis typically occurs when an obese
cat suddenly stops eating, which causes a mobilization of its
own fat stores and results in excessive fat accumulation in the cells of the
liver.  This excessive fat accumulation impairs the normal
function of the liver cells, resulting in liver failure. 

There are many reasons why obese cats stop eating. Often, stress will make
an animal lose its appetite.  Moving into a new home,
having a new animal introduced into the household, or suffering an illness
can cause a cat to lose interest in food."

Courtesty of http://www.vetcentric.com