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The only time to restrict fat intake is when a dog has severe cholestatic liver disease and fat malabsorption. Dogs with liver disease can tolerate larger quantities of fat in the diet (30-50% of calories) than previously assumed. Your dog’s diet should include: Fatįat is a concentrated source of energy and usually food that contains fat is highly palatable. If possible, feed the dog several small meals a day rather than just one or two. The food should therefore be highly palatable. The diet should have a high energy density, since dogs with liver disease usually have no appetite. prevent or minimize liver failure symptoms, such as hepatic encephalopathy and ascites.
LIVER ISSUES FREE
minimize further damage of the liver by preventing copper accumulation, as well as accumulation of other toxins such as ammonia, and free radicals.supply enough energy and nutrients to the body so as to prevent malnutrition.A diet appropriate for dogs with liver disease should be able to: If your dog is suffering from liver disease, you need to also make some dietary adjustment. These are used to decrease absorption of copper, and to reduce the amount of copper in the liver. Oral Zinc Productsįor dogs with copper-associated hepatitis, they usually receive oral zinc products (such as zinc acetate). Diureticsĭiuretics such as furosemide (Lasix) are used to treat ascites (fluid accumulation in the abdomen).
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Antibiotics are also used in cases of infection. Antibiotics kill ammonia-producing bacteria, thereby lessening the amount of ammonia exposure to the body. Antibioticsĭogs with hepatic encephalopathy usually receive antibiotics (such as Neomycin). Corticosteroids can decrease inflammation and scarring. Vets usually prescribe corticosteroids to treat chronic liver inflammation (often called chronic-active hepatitis). Treatment for canine liver problems depends of course on the type of liver disease, and may include the following: MedicationsĬommonly used conventional medications to treat canine liver disease include: Corticosteroids The most definitive diagnostic procedure is to conduct a liver biopsy. Dogs with liver disease often have elevated ALT and ALP levels.
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Quite a few chemicals and toxins can damage the liver and cause liver problems in dogs. Liver cancer is a major cause of canine liver failure.
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If a dog cannot get a timely and proper diagnosis, his liver will remain untreated until it reaches a more advanced stage. Chronic diarrhea and vomiting (vomiting is more common than diarrhea)Īs you can see, the above signs and symptoms are similar to other health conditions.The early signs and symptoms of liver problems in dogs are unfortunately non-specific.įor example, the dog patient may show the following signs: It is not difficult to imagine liver problems in dogs can cause a lot of health disorders to the dog patient. production and storage of all vitamins (with the exception of vitamin C).Some important tasks performed by the liver include: The liver is an extremely important organ and is responsible for over 1,000 tasks 24 hours a day.
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