Liver Disease
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Complementary Healthcare Products
The liver is involved in almost all processes in the body. It removes toxins from the blood and produces bile to aid digestion. Liver disease in the dog can be caused by bacterial infections, genetics, toxic chemicals, some drugs, or it might be one of the symptoms of another illness. It is one of the most common causes of death in dogs.
Symptoms include jaundice (yellowing in the eyes or gums), weight loss, lethargy, swollen stomach, diarrhoea, and loss of appetite. If all of these signs can be seen, the disease is probably at an advanced stage.
However, the liver is able to regenerate itself, so there is a good chance of recovery if the cause is identified.
See also:
Complementary Healthcare Products
The liver is involved in almost all processes in the body. It removes toxins from the blood and produces bile to aid digestion. Liver disease in the dog can be caused by bacterial infections, genetics, toxic chemicals, some drugs, or it might be one of the symptoms of another illness. It is one of the most common causes of death in dogs.
Symptoms include jaundice (yellowing in the eyes or gums), weight loss, lethargy, swollen stomach, diarrhoea, and loss of appetite. If all of these signs can be seen, the disease is probably at an advanced stage.
However, the liver is able to regenerate itself, so there is a good chance of recovery if the cause is identified.
Prevention is Key in Avoiding Canine Liver Disease
General liver facts
The liver is your dog’s largest organ, and its workload is proportional to its size. This amazing organ is responsible for a staggering 500 different jobs, including digestion, removing wastes from the blood, metabolism, and assisting in storing and sending out nutrients. Clearly, a healthy liver equals a healthy dog!
Symptoms and types of liver disease
Just like the kidneys, a damaged liver does not manifest itself with easily spotted symptoms. Sadly, once a dog is showing signs of liver disease, the illness has often progressed to the point of no return. Generally speaking, the symptoms of liver disease include: jaundice or yellowing of the eyes, urine that looks like the colour of tea, decreased appetite, excessive thirst, and weight loss. Again, since these symptoms usually show up once liver disease has settled in, should you notice your dog exhibiting any of these problems, an immediate trip to your veterinarian is advised.
There are several ways in which a dog can develop liver disease. Hepatitis is a chronic disease, caused by a viral infection and resulting in an inflamed liver. There is also a condition called “hepatic necrosis” that attacks the liver and leads to the deterioration of liver cells and tissues. Liver disease can also be a side effect of another health problem. Many dogs with cancer, infections, and/or intestinal disorders commonly have diseased livers as well, as do dogs who have been on medications for long periods of time.
Over-exposure to any kind of toxin such as pesticides and cleaning products can damage the liver, as can eating a bad diet. Unfortunately, countless dogs fall into any of these categories.
While any dog could potentially be exposed to toxins or fed a bad diet, certain types are more likely to develop liver problems than others. Breeds prone to liver disease include, but are not limited to: Australian Cattle dogs, Bedlington Terriers, Boxers, Chihuahuas, Doberman pinschers, Golden retrievers, Irish wolfhounds, Labrador retrievers, Pomeranians, Pugs, Saint Bernards, Samoyeds, Shih Tzus, Toy Poodles, and Yorkshire Terriers.
To keep your best friend’s liver healthy, prevention is the key!
Clearly, it is important to prevent your dog’s liver from being damaged in the first place. If your dog has been taking medications for an extended period, it might be wise to check with your veterinarian to see if any other alternatives exist, or if a milder, more “liver-friendly” form of the drug is available. All pesticides and toxins must be kept away from our animals at all times, and switching your dog to high-quality food can help keep the liver healthy and strong.
Natural supplements can help
There are two supplements that can help with liver health: Milk Thistle extract, and Alpha Lipoic Acid. Milk Thistle contains an antioxidant known as “silymarin.” This substance can help protect the liver from damage as well as stimulate production of new cells and improve its ability to complete its various jobs.
Alpha Lipoic Acid is rich in “glutathione,” which is an antioxidant found in large amounts in the liver. It has also been found to have detoxifying abilities. In his book, Dr. Earl Mindell advises that all dogs who have been on medications for an extended period take this antioxidant. He recommends a daily dose of 50 milligrams for small dogs, 100 mg for medium breeds, 200 mg for large dogs, and 300 mg for giant-sized dogs. But as always, before starting your dog on these or any other natural supplement, it is best to check with your veterinarian for advice. Liver disease is always serious, but it does not always have to be fatal. Following a program of prevention, proper care, and supplements, even diseased livers can be made healthier again.
Milk thistle is the most well known herb recommended for treating liver disease.
The holistic vet Shawn Messonnier DVM says:
As is true with many medical disorders, dietary therapy is important in the treatment of the pet with liver disease. High quality and highly digestible carbohydrates are recommended to supply energy for the pet. Inferior types of carbohydrates that are undigested are fermented by intestinal bacteria which increases the bacteria in the colon; these bacteria then break down dietary proteins and produce extra ammonia, which is absorbed into the body and contributes to toxicity in pets with liver disease. Frequent feedings of high quality simple carbohydrates such as white rice and potatos are recommended. Vegetables act as a source of complex carbohydrates and provide fiber; the fiber helps bind intestinal toxins and promotes bowel movements to remove these toxins (by-products of protein digestion and bacterial fermentation of undigested foods) from the body.
Proteins provided by the diet must be of high biological value to reduce the production of ammonia, a by-product of protein digestion. Most commercial foods contain proteins that are not of high biological value. (Many commercial foods may also contain excess vitamin A, copper, and bacterial endotoxins, all of which contribute to the clinical signs in pets with liver disease.) Unless your doctor recommends protein restriction (usually only needed by pets with encephalopathy, a condition producing neurological signs in pets with severe liver disease,) normal amounts of protein should be fed as protein is needed by the liver during repair.
While milk thistle is most commonly used for treating liver disease, other nutrients such as choline, carnitine, arginine, boswellia, burdock, dandelion root, licorice, nettle, Oregon grape, red clover, turmeric, yellow dock, and maitake mushrooms may also be incorporated into the treatment regimen.
Shawn Messonnier DVM is the author of The Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats and 8 Weeks to a Healthy Dog.
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