Liver Disease in Pets I admit when I go to a party and say, “Pass the pâté de foie gras, please,” that I’m not really interested in the actual liver hors d'oeuvres, but I just like to say, “pâté de foie gras.” The words roll over my tongue like expensive chocolate on a hot date. However, when my French Poodle, Mimi, developed jaundice, it brought a whole new meaning to foie gras. I knew Mimi was jaundiced because her normally pink gums and ears had become a golden yellow, and not even Mimi’s fuchsia sweater brought out her normally healthy glow. Jaundice is a result of too much bilirubin in the bloodsteam. When the liver is healthy, it removes the bilirubin from the bloodstream keeping it from accumulating to dangerous levels. The liver detoxifies contaminates in our blood by reducing them into a form we can eliminate, in other words—it breaks them down. The liver also synthesizes hormones, enzymes and proteins. And because the liver is important for digestion, Mimi had lost weight. My veterinarian, Dr. McKenna, said that Mimi was actually fortunate, because many animals with liver problems suffer from vomiting, diarrhea, poor appetite, and black mucus. Liquid will even pool in their abdomen and they will look bloated, because as the liver fails, it stops making blood proteins and the blood becomes so thin fluid leaks out of the vascular system into the abdomen. Abnormal bruising can often be seen. I rushed Mimi in to Dr. McKenna as soon as I noticed something was wrong. Mimi loves Dr. McKenna. I think it might be because his clothes are…well…interesting. Not only does he wear the most bizarre colors, but he is also a rather rotund man who usually has at least a splash of gravy on his shirt. Mimi tried her best to give the polyester a lick, but even smell of country-fried steak didn’t excite her that day. “Has she been drinking a lot?” Dr. McKenna asked. “You know I don’t allow my pets to have alcohol!” I said. “Water,” he retorted. “Is she drinking a lot of water?” “Oh, come to think of it, she has been emptying her water before I get home from work.” “Let’s run some blood tests and do a bile acid assay, and see if we can nail this down.” Then he gave me a pamphlet about liver disease. It was much like one I’d read in my own physician’s office, but the illustrations were hairier. It said liver disease could be caused from many different things. Just like people, Dogs can get liver disease from the hepatitis virus, which is called infectious canine hepatitis. Bacteria called leptospirosis can also cause liver disease in animals. Many chemicals can lead to liver disease. Insecticides, phosphorus, anti-freeze, rat poison, selenium and iron can cause liver failure. Drugs or medications like anesthetic gases, antibiotics, antifungals, dewormers, steroids and analgesics like NSAIDS can cause liver disease also, but most drug reactions are from long-term use. Parasites like heartworms can cause liver disease. Even ingesting certain plants can lead to liver failure. Ragwort, certain mushrooms, blue-green algae and molds such as aflatoxin, which grows on corn, can be toxic. One kind of liver disease called Copper Storage Disease is a result of too much copper in the bloodstream. This type of liver disease is usually specific to certain breeds and genetic in origin. Bedlington Terriers, Doberman Pinschers, Skye Terriers, and West Highland White Terriers and Dalmatians are the most susceptible to this type of liver disease. Some kinds of liver conditions are rare. Portosystemic shunts are an abnormal vascular condition whereby blood is diverted past the liver without having the toxins removed. One type of this condition appears more commonly in purebreds and is considered genetic in origin. Portosystemic shunting to different vascular connections can affect varying breeds at different ages and is seen as a developmental disorder, or it can even be the result of a primary liver problem. Animals suffering from portosystemic shunts commonly have vomiting and diarrhea and will usually need surgery in order to survive. At the onset of liver disease, the liver cells swell and enlarge. As the disease progresses the cells die and are replaced by scar tissue. This rubbery condition is called cirrhosis. It is important to treat liver disease in the early stages because cirrhosis is not reversible, even though 80% of liver cells must die before the liver fails. When Dr. McKenna returned, he seemed concerned, but not devastated. “I also did an ultrasound on Mimi. She may have a trauma related problem. Has she been hurt in any way?” “Well, she did go flying out of her car carrier a few days ago when I had to slam on the breaks, but she seemed okay. I guess I didn’t have the zipper completely closed.” “See this bruise?” Dr. McKenna showed me a dark spot on Mimi’s hind quarter. “Oh my gosh! My baby has a boo-boo. Could this be what’s wrong with her?” “It could be. Let’s take an x-ray and let me start her on some IV fluids. Why don’t we keep her overnight and I’ll call you and let you know if I find anything? Trauma to the liver can usually heal by itself.” “I feel like such a bad mother.” “Whatever it is, we are catching it pretty early according to the tests. There are some dietary changes you will probably need to make and a few other things I can prescribe. She is really healthy overall. There is a good chance she’ll be fine. Many kinds of liver disease can’t be treated. We just have to manage the symptoms. “What kind of prescriptions?” I asked in a desperate attempt to assuage the guilt creeping up on me. ”Ursodiol is one. It replaces toxic bile acids with a type of bile that is less toxic.” “What about antibiotics or steroids?” I asked. “It depends on the cause of the liver problem. Sometimes steroids cause liver disease, so we have to be careful.” I kissed Mimi on the head and told her how much I loved her. I had a feeling she was going to be fine.
These would include: *Herbal medicines (naturopathy) *Homeopathy *Acupuncture A combination of herbal and homeopathic remedies such as Silybum marianus, Arctium lappa, Chelidonium majus, Kali mur, Nat phos and Nat sulph can be used to promote a healthy liver. Vitamin K and Vitamin E help some pets. There’s some natural remedies like Burdock and Greater Celandine that some of my clients use. Milk thistle is another.”
for liver disease, but remember to discuss this with your veterinarian.
researcher Sheli Ellsworth Related All Natural Products
to maintain optimum functioning - Continue Immunity and Liver Support - Promotes a healthy immune system and liver functioning - Continue |
Liver disease in animals encompasses an entire spectrum of illnesses: ▪Hepatic Encephalopathy- a brain disorder from toxic levels of ammonia entering the bloodstream. ▪Hepatic Lipidosis-a fatty liver disease treated usually treated by dietary change. ▪Jaundice or Icterus-is caused from an accumulation of bilirubin or bile in the blood. ▪Feline Infectious Peritonitis-coronal-like viral infection that can be avoided with the FIP vaccine. ▪Cancer of the Liver- is uncommon in cats and dogs and may gravitate from other organs as well as spread to them. ▪Infectious Liver Disease (Hepatitis)- a viral form of liver failure. ▪Parasitic Liver Disease- is caused from parasites like heartworms. ▪Arteriovenous Fistula- rare disease usually congenital where abnormal passages develop between the hepatic liver arteries and the inner liver portal veins. ▪Cirrhosis-death of liver cells from many causes. ▪Enlarged Liver or hepatomegaly-caused from fatty infiltration to the liver. More common in cats. ▪Gall Bladder Problems- the gallbladder stores bile for the liver and can become blocked. |
| Thank You for Visiting Purchase Remedies.com |