Some Aspects of Liver Disease in Cats and Dogs

Please note that this was not written by me but by my boss´ partner who is currently doing an animal healing course. i simply type the notes up for her! i thought the notes may be of interest to Petstreet members and so she kindly said i could put them on the site.

Some Aspects of Liver Disease in Cats and Dogs

The Function of the Liver

The liver performs many chemical functions for the body:

1. Protein metabolism. Plasma proteins are synthesized in the body as are fibrinogen and other proteins used for blood clotting.

2. Urea formation. Ammonia is converted to the less toxic urea.

3. Carbohydrate metabolism. Blood sugar levels are kept within narrow margins as surplus is stored in the liver as glycogen and then released into the circulation as energy is required by the body.

4. Fat metabolism. Lipids are synthesized in the liver and fatty acids are metablised to produce energy.

5. Formation of bile.

6. Detoxification and conjugation of steroid hormones.

7. Vitamin storages. The liver is the main store of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K). Some of the water soluble vitamins, particularly B12 are also stored.

8. Production of heat and regulation of body temperature.

9. Iron storage.

The liver is closely associated with the digestive system. It lies against the diaphragm and to the right of the stomach and is divided into a number of lobes.


Some Disorders of the Liver

Hepatitis – inflammation of the liver associated with micro-organisms such as adenovirus1 or leptospiral2 infection but may also follow toxic damage to the liver.

Jaundice and laterus. Glevated levels of bilburin in circulation causing yellowing of the mucus membranes and skin.

Cirrhosis. Created when healing occurs of the fibrous tissue rather than new liver cells. There is a loss of functioning liver, effecting bile flow (causing jaundice) and portal hypertension leading to ascites. The liver is reduced in size and ultimately there is liver failure.

Ascites. Fluid accumulation within the abdominal cavity Different types of fluids may be present including blood, transuclates3, exudates4, urine and gut contents.

Signs of Liver Disease

The liver can be all but destroyed before signs of liver failure develop. It has a great functional reserve and considerable powers of regeneration.

There are many non-specific signs of liver disease – vomiting, diarrhoea, anterior abdominal pain and weight loss. Jaundice, ascites and pale faeces are more specific signs.

Final diagnosis of liver disease relies heavily on blood biochemistry, x-rays, ultrasound and biopsy of the liver.

The Role of Nutrition in Liver Disease Cases

Protracted vomiting and/or diarrhoea result in the loss of significant amounts of water, potassium, sodium chloride and bicarbonate. The priority in both cases is to provide a highly digestible diet – in vomiting to decrease feedback stimulation to the stomach and in diarrhoea to decrease the residue in the intestine. Highly digestible carbohydrate foods include rice, glucose, cornstarch, pasta and potato. Highly digestible protein foods include egg, chicken, white fish and cottage cheese.

Avoid diets high in calcium and lactose free as many animals are unable to absorb lactose and it may cause osmotic diarrhoea.

There are varied nutritional requirements depending on the type of liver disease. The aims of all nutritional management diets however are to provide adequate nutrition to maintain optimal body weight and condition. Also to allow intestinal rest and healing. If vomiting/diarrhoea is excessive for more than 3 days parenteral5 feeding should be considered.

Important Points in a Case of Liver Disease

1. Removal of toxic agents. Identify and remove any drug or toxin which may potentially hurt the liver.

2. Rest and confinement. This will help divert body resources to the healing process at the liver and reduce discomfort caused by inflammation of the liver such as painful belly, nausea, malaise.

3. Dietary management; Extremely important. The goal is to provide all the necessary nutrients which may be lost due to failure of liver processing without overtaxing the liver with regards to processing of dietary intake. High levels of tope quality protein to provide the essential amino acids in an easily digestible carrier which will not produce high levels of ammonia during digestion. Cottage cheese is good, meat tents to produce high levels of ammonia. High level carbohydrates to drive the metabolism of the body, essential fatty acids not less than 6% of the daily intake, and a good mineral and vitamin supplement. Force feeding may be necessary.

4. Control of ascites and water retention. Reduce sodium intake. Diuretics will help in resistant cases.

5. Control concurrent infections with antibiotics.

6. Deal with the concurrent medical problems as they crop up. Remember that some animals may develop bleeding problems, malabsorbtion problems and neurological problems. Each separate problem has to be dealt with both individually and as a part of the whole disease entity. Neurological symptoms such as coma need to be addressed aggressively with a combination of therapies6.


Complimentary Treatment for Liver Disease

Unfortunately there is no specific treatment for liver disease in cats and dogs unless a specific toxin is identified. As previously stated the most important issue is nutritional therapy. This however can be made much better by insuring that the high carbohydrates provided are not of inferior quality as these may remain undigested and then are fermented which cause extra bacteria in the colon. Proteins should also be of a high biological value enabling the reduction of ammonia. Most commercial food contains proteins that are not suitable.

Organic vegetables and carbohydrates cooked at home, those mentioned previously, are the best for the animal.

Supplements

There has been a great deal done on Milk Thistle. This is the most commonly used herb for treating liver disease. Other nutrients that could possibly be used are choline, carnitine, arginine, boswellia, dandelion root, liquorice, nettle, Oregon grape, red clover, turmeric, yellow dock artichokes and maitake mushrooms. Caution should be taken with dandelion.

There are a great many herbs which have interactions with drugs; these are a few of them:
Aloe, garlic, horsetail, cascara, ginger, dava, senna, ginsent, khella, black cohosh, lavender, licorice, buchu, ginkgo, mistletoe, bugleweed, goldenseal, pau d’arco, cats claw, gotu cola, red clover, dandelion, green tea, St John’s wort, dang qui, hops, valerian, and many Chinese herbal combinations7.

Naturally no herbs should be introduced to an animal without first consulting a veterinary herbalist.


Biochemicals – Cellular Therapy.

Nat. sulph (sodium sulphate) regulates the density of intercellular fluids. This tissue salt controls the healthy function of the liver. Always consult a qualified practitioner.


Homeopathy

A product called LiverAid TM 8 has had a good response in dogs. It is a mixture of herbs and homeopathic ingredients. Milk thistle – Burdock – Gt. Celandine – Kali. Mur. 9 (C6) and Nat. Phos 10 (C6) - Nat. Sulph 11 (C6). Always consult a qualified practitioner.

Healing

Many animals that veterinarians have written off and for whom euthanasia was advised have either regained full health or a quality extension to their lives by using natural methods. In every way they are b