Post by muskyhusky on Oct 16, 2008 17:15:46 GMT -6
The liver is the largest gland in the body and serves many complex functions. Because of its key role in many complex metabolic processes, the liver is subject to damage by a wide variety of diseases.
Liver disease is any destructive or metabolic disorder involving the liver and is not limited to any particular age or breed.
Your veterinarian's knowledge of liver diseases in dogs and cats has increased significantly in the last several years and great advances in liver therapy have been made.
Signs of Liver Disease
The more common signs of liver disease in mature dogs and cats include:
Lack of appetite and weight loss
Depression (lack of energy or interest in usual routines)
Jaundice (yellowing of the gums, whites of eyes and even the skin)
Increased thirst
Dark colored urine
Other signs of illness associated with liver disease can include ascites (fluid build up in the abdomen), pale gums and associated bleeding tendencies. The pet's abdomen may be enlarged as a result of the fluid accumulation and enlargement of the liver. This sometimes leads owners to think their pet is obese or has gained weight.
These signs may appear very quickly or develop slowly. Other diseases may cause similar signs so it is important to take your pet to the veterinarian for examination.
Causes of Liver Disease
There are many possible causes of liver disease. Often a specific diagnosis cannot be made. Some causes include:
Viral and bacterial infections
Poisonous substances eaten by the pet
Altered blood flow to the liver as a result of heart disease or a congenital abnormality
Some breeds such as Bedlingtons and West Highland White Terriers do not excrete copper as they should
Diagnosis of Liver Disease
If your veterinarian suspects liver disease, the following diagnostic tests may be used.
Abdominal palpation (feeling the abdomen for abnormalities) can give an indication of liver enlargement. Examination of the tongue and gums is used to evaluate the presence or absence of the yellow discoloration associated with jaundice. It will probably be necessary for your veterinarian to collect a blood sample from your pet to submit for laboratory evaluation. The level of some enzymes in the blood is frequently elevated during liver disease and may indicate the type of disease. Another way your veterinarian can learn what is wrong with the liver is with a liver biopsy.
To determine how well your pet is responding to therapy, your veterinarian may periodically repeat some of these tests. Therefore, you will need to bring your pet in for reexamination as directed by your veterinarian.
Treatment/Management
The treatment of liver disease has four objectives. These are to:
Eliminate or remove, if possible, the damaging agent (such as a poison or copper)
Minimize the harmful effects of the damaging agent on the liver
Encourage healing and regeneration
Maintain the life of the animal until adequate liver function can be restored.
Treatment of liver disease will differ depending on the cause of the initial damage. The pet that has liver disease as a result of trauma may require only hospitalization, good nursing care and proper dietary management to make a successful recovery. If infection is determined to be the cause of liver disease, the supportive therapy may have to include antibiotics.
Liver disease causes damage to the individual liver cells. As more and more of the individual cells are damaged, the work of the entire organ is decreased and can result in liver failure. Fortunately, for us and our pets, the liver has a big reserve capacity and, unlike some of the other organs in the body, has the ability to regenerate. Therefore, if we eliminate the harmful agent and institute proper dietary therapy, chances are good for recovery.
Dietary Therapy
Often dietary therapy is the single most important method of modifying the course of most spontaneous liver diseases. The goals of dietary therapy are to reduce the signs of sickness associated with liver failure and at the same time provide optimal conditions for liver repair and regeneration. Dietary therapy involves adjusting the diet so that optimal quantities and types of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals are provided to the animal.
The objective is to provide optimal nutrition, yet decrease the work load of the liver. Excessive levels of protein should be avoided since they add to the work of the liver. Particular emphasis should be placed on the available energy in the diet. This energy should be present in the form of easily digested carbohydrates and high quality fats.
Your veterinarian will determine which diet best meets your pet's needs.
During this time it is very important that your pet consume only the prescribed medication, the prescribed diet, and nothing else. Otherwise, the diet will not work properly and your pet will suffer with this condition longer than necessary.
Home Management
Once at home, your pet needs special attention and care. It is important that you provide free access to fresh, clean water at all times. Follow instructions carefully if your dog has a prescribed diet or medication. Medications should be given for the entire period for which they are prescribed.
Call your veterinarian if any questions or problems arise. Watch your pet for any signs of illness that are associated with liver disease. If any of these signs fail to subside or if they come back, please contact your veterinarian immediately.
Liver disease is any destructive or metabolic disorder involving the liver and is not limited to any particular age or breed.
Your veterinarian's knowledge of liver diseases in dogs and cats has increased significantly in the last several years and great advances in liver therapy have been made.
Signs of Liver Disease
The more common signs of liver disease in mature dogs and cats include:
Lack of appetite and weight loss
Depression (lack of energy or interest in usual routines)
Jaundice (yellowing of the gums, whites of eyes and even the skin)
Increased thirst
Dark colored urine
Other signs of illness associated with liver disease can include ascites (fluid build up in the abdomen), pale gums and associated bleeding tendencies. The pet's abdomen may be enlarged as a result of the fluid accumulation and enlargement of the liver. This sometimes leads owners to think their pet is obese or has gained weight.
These signs may appear very quickly or develop slowly. Other diseases may cause similar signs so it is important to take your pet to the veterinarian for examination.
Causes of Liver Disease
There are many possible causes of liver disease. Often a specific diagnosis cannot be made. Some causes include:
Viral and bacterial infections
Poisonous substances eaten by the pet
Altered blood flow to the liver as a result of heart disease or a congenital abnormality
Some breeds such as Bedlingtons and West Highland White Terriers do not excrete copper as they should
Diagnosis of Liver Disease
If your veterinarian suspects liver disease, the following diagnostic tests may be used.
Abdominal palpation (feeling the abdomen for abnormalities) can give an indication of liver enlargement. Examination of the tongue and gums is used to evaluate the presence or absence of the yellow discoloration associated with jaundice. It will probably be necessary for your veterinarian to collect a blood sample from your pet to submit for laboratory evaluation. The level of some enzymes in the blood is frequently elevated during liver disease and may indicate the type of disease. Another way your veterinarian can learn what is wrong with the liver is with a liver biopsy.
To determine how well your pet is responding to therapy, your veterinarian may periodically repeat some of these tests. Therefore, you will need to bring your pet in for reexamination as directed by your veterinarian.
Treatment/Management
The treatment of liver disease has four objectives. These are to:
Eliminate or remove, if possible, the damaging agent (such as a poison or copper)
Minimize the harmful effects of the damaging agent on the liver
Encourage healing and regeneration
Maintain the life of the animal until adequate liver function can be restored.
Treatment of liver disease will differ depending on the cause of the initial damage. The pet that has liver disease as a result of trauma may require only hospitalization, good nursing care and proper dietary management to make a successful recovery. If infection is determined to be the cause of liver disease, the supportive therapy may have to include antibiotics.
Liver disease causes damage to the individual liver cells. As more and more of the individual cells are damaged, the work of the entire organ is decreased and can result in liver failure. Fortunately, for us and our pets, the liver has a big reserve capacity and, unlike some of the other organs in the body, has the ability to regenerate. Therefore, if we eliminate the harmful agent and institute proper dietary therapy, chances are good for recovery.
Dietary Therapy
Often dietary therapy is the single most important method of modifying the course of most spontaneous liver diseases. The goals of dietary therapy are to reduce the signs of sickness associated with liver failure and at the same time provide optimal conditions for liver repair and regeneration. Dietary therapy involves adjusting the diet so that optimal quantities and types of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals are provided to the animal.
The objective is to provide optimal nutrition, yet decrease the work load of the liver. Excessive levels of protein should be avoided since they add to the work of the liver. Particular emphasis should be placed on the available energy in the diet. This energy should be present in the form of easily digested carbohydrates and high quality fats.
Your veterinarian will determine which diet best meets your pet's needs.
During this time it is very important that your pet consume only the prescribed medication, the prescribed diet, and nothing else. Otherwise, the diet will not work properly and your pet will suffer with this condition longer than necessary.
Home Management
Once at home, your pet needs special attention and care. It is important that you provide free access to fresh, clean water at all times. Follow instructions carefully if your dog has a prescribed diet or medication. Medications should be given for the entire period for which they are prescribed.
Call your veterinarian if any questions or problems arise. Watch your pet for any signs of illness that are associated with liver disease. If any of these signs fail to subside or if they come back, please contact your veterinarian immediately.