The
importance of wellness testing became personal when my own 11 year old Welsh
Corgi, “Bunny,” showed a minor elevation of her liver function test. The beauty of regular wellness testing is
veterinarians not only obtain baseline “normals” for their patients, but they
also watch for trends in serial tests that indicate early onset or progression
of diseases. Bunny had, of course, had
multiple wellness tests prior to the revelation of her elevated liver value so
I knew something was amiss.
After my initial “Oh no, not my little princess” reaction to this liver test abnormality, my first plan of action was to research the most recent information regarding liver health in pets. I wanted to make certain I was privy to all of the latest advances as I already knew that the liver is the largest internal organ with numerous jobs.
The
liver is responsible for approximately 1500 functions---digestion and
conversion of nutrients, toxin removal, production of key blood components, and
vitamin storage, to name a few. I like
to think of the liver as the body’s “filtration plant.” All of the “good” and “bad” that enters a
pet’s body passes through the liver via the blood stream. It is then up to this important organ to
properly assess, convert, digest, dispose of, and redirect what it encounters
and produces to the appropriate area of the body.
With
so many tasks that are so important, one can see why the diagnosis of an
inefficient liver can be troubling to veterinarians. The more frustrating
tidbit is that the specific causes of liver diseases can be difficult to
identify. Common causes include viral
and bacterial infections, ingestion of toxic substances or drugs, heart
disease, altered blood flow due to congenital abnormalities, and cancer.
Breed
related problems exist as well. West Highland
and Bedlington Terriers may have problems excreting copper from their livers,
and Siamese cats and Cocker Spaniels, in general, are more likely to develop
liver diseases. If you own one of these breeds, ask your veterinarian to discuss
appropriate routine testing for liver health.
Cats, especially those that are obese, are unique in that they may develop a life-threatening liver condition called Hepatic Lipidosis simply by not eating for two or more days. This condition occurs when excessive amounts of fat accumulate in the liver and begin to overwhelm its ability to function properly. If you own a cat that is considerably overweight and it stops eating for even one day, contact your veterinarian.
While
many diseases affecting the liver are initially symptom-free, as the condition
progresses the pet may develop anorexia, vomiting, weight loss, lethargy,
jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes), increased thirst, orange to
coffee-colored urine, abdominal bloating due to fluid build-up, and pale
gums. See your veterinarian immediately
if your pet displays any of these symptoms as early intervention is a must.
If
your pet is diagnosed with a liver ailment, your veterinarian may prescribe a diet
with highly digestible proteins, carbohydrates and fats to reduce the workload
of the liver and facilitate a more rapid recovery. Gratefully, unlike most
other organs in the body, the liver has a large reserve capacity, giving it the
ability to regenerate after injury or illness. If the underlying cause is
properly identified and eliminated, and proper nutrition is initiated, chances
for recovery from liver disease are good.
Additional
therapies prescribed for patients with liver disease may include antibiotics
and vitamin supplements, especially vitamins E and B. Your veterinarian may also recommend
veterinary liver support products (Denosyl, Marin and Denamarin) that contain
antioxidants such as SAMe and milk thistle extracts. These antioxidants can assist the liver in
its detoxification role, stimulate bile flow through the liver, and aid liver cell
repair and regeneration.
Author: Dr. Bonnie Jones, April 2009
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