7/22/2017 0 Comments Cat Liver Disease DietNutritional Needs for the Cat with Liver Disease. Your veterinarian has just informed you that your cat has liver disease. You want to do what’s best for your feline friend so that he can live comfortably for as long as possible. Your vet may have recommended medications to treat the underlying cause of the problem, if it has been identified. Proper nutrition is also vital. It is important to understand the role the liver plays in health and what happens when it is not functioning properly. The liver has many functions, including: Absorption of food (through the digestion and transport of fats)Removal of the by- products of digestion (e. Production of proteins. Blood clotting factors. Albumin, which helps keep fluids within and transports substances through the circulatory system. Hormones. Maintenance of normal blood glucose (sugar) levels. Many disorders of the liver can ultimately damage the organ and reduce its function, including: Infections — bacterial, viral, fungal, protozoal, parasitic. Toxins or medications. Inflammatory processes — spread from other areas of the body, due to trauma, chemicals, or auto- immune disease. Reduced blood flow to the liver — due to heart failure or a congenital abnormality. Idiopathic — cause is unknown. Most liver disorders are progressive. Liver dysfunction and eventual failure will lead to the accumulation of toxins (causing nervous system and digestive tract abnormalities), the reduction of protein synthesis (resulting in leaky blood vessels and fluid accumulation and clotting problems), and low blood sugar levels. Dietary therapy can help the liver to function as well as possible and reduce further damage to the liver. The goals of nutritional intervention are to: Provide adequate energy in the form of high quality protein. Reduce sodium to lessen fluid retention. Increase antioxidants to protect cells from further damage. Reduce the symptoms of Hepatic Encephalopathy, if present — a result of the accumulation of ammonia which is toxic to the brain. The first step is to change your cat’s diet to a formula that meets these characteristics. There are several types of brands to choose from depending on a cat’s specific needs. A home prepared diet made from a recipe put together by a veterinary nutritionist familiar with your cat’s case is another option for owners willing to cook for their cats. Your veterinarian can help you determine which diet is best. In general, diets for cats with liver disease should have: High quality protein to reduce the workload on the liver. Highly digestible carbohydrates. High quality fats. Added antioxidants such as vitamin E, vitamin C and selenium to combat oxidative stress. It is always important to make dietary changes slowly to increase the chances of the cat accepting the new food. If the cat is unwilling to eat anything, a feeding tube should be placed to avoid a negative energy state and the development or worsening of hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver syndrome). If hepatic encephalopathy is present, a diet with low protein levels can help reduce the production of ammonia (a by- product of protein digestion). When ascites (fluid retention in the abdomen) is a problem, a very low sodium diet will help prevent worsening of the condition. Owners need to work closely with their veterinarians not only when cats are first diagnosed with liver disease, but at regular intervals to continue to provide the nutrition necessary for the longest, healthiest life possible. Stay tuned for the next installment on Nutrition Nuggets for Cats — Nutritional Supplements for Cats with Liver Disease. Dr. Jennifer Coates. Image: Thinkstock. Learn about non alcoholic fatty liver, a disease with risk factors of obesity and diabetes. Symptoms of fatty liver are from the complications of cirrhosis. Although she was but forty-five, some obscure disease had taken the fire out of her figure. Treatment Options for Canine Liver Disease. The course of treatment required in a case of canine liver disease will depend upon the cause of the condition. CLF provides information on all of the types of liver disease. If your dog or cat has elevated liver enzymes, they can get better using a homemade diet and supplements. Symptoms of liver disease include loss of appetite and lethargy. Liver Disease: Signs, Symptoms, and Diagnosis. Column written by: Dr. Fleming, Sherwood Animal Clinic (Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada) This topic is as big as the. Learn about liver disease symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, jaundice, weakness, and weight loss. Causes of liver disease vary from infection. Treatments . For example, if trauma was the trigger, hospitalization while the dog recovers from the impact of the trauma may be all that is required. On the other hand, antibiotics may be needed if a bacterial infection is at the root of the disease. Furthermore, when liver disease is caused by another medical condition such as cancer or anemia, these additional medical circumstances will need to be taken into account. In addition to certain medications, dietary adjustments and supplements can be very useful when attempting to treat canine liver disease. Dietary changes can include adjusting the amounts of proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates, fats, and minerals that a dog ingests. This will then ensure that the canine patient is receiving the nutrition it needs and will also help to decrease the stress and workload of the liver. Natural herbs and substances such as burdock and greater celandine have properties that assist with the purification of blood, the stimulation of digestive enzymes, and the protection of the liver from toxic substances. Also, some such substances have anti- inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Milk thistle is another natural ingredient that is known to be very effective in cases of canine liver disease. This natural substance acts as an antioxidant like vitamin E, stimulates production of new livercells, and helps to prevent certain toxins from attaching to the liver. Thus, many natural substances and remedies can be very beneficial for dogs suffering from liver disease. However, it is always important to carry out any form of treatment under the supervision of a qualified veterinary doctor. SPECIFIC TREATMENTS AND PROGNOSESPortal Vascular Abnormalities. Fluids and Electrolytes – This corrects the dehydration that occurs with a poor appetite and supplies needed sodium, potassium, and chloride. This fluid is usually given intravenously (IV) at first. Petsthat are severely ill from PSS should not be given anything orally initially. Cleansing Enemas – Enema’s will decrease the bacterial count of the intestines, leading to less ammonia absorption. Lactulose – Lactulose works in the large intestine to minimize the production of ammonia by bacteria. It does this by changing the p. Learn why a species appropriate, raw diet is essential in preventing and treating liver issues and liver disease in dogs. H and converting ammonia to a form that is not readily absorbed into the bloodstream. It also stimulates normal colon bacteria to absorb ammonia, which is then passed in the feces. Finally, it stimulates the intestines so that ammonia passes through faster, which means there is less time for absorption. Antibiotics – These drugs are also administered, especially if mental depression is present. They minimize the bacteria count in the colon, thus reducing the amount of ammonia that is absorbedfrom the intestines into the bloodstream. They work well with lactulose to decrease the ammonia level. Dietary Modification – A diet that is restricted in protein may be beneficial because less ammonia is produced as a by- product of metabolism. This protein needs to be of high biological value, such as eggs and dairy products. Meat based proteins should be avoided since they can increase the chance of HE. Most of the caloric needs of a pet with PSS should be supplied with carbohydrates like rice and pasta. Higher fiber diets might also be helpful, as long as the dog or cat is not undernourished. They can act to minimize ammonia production and absorption in a manner that is similar to lactulose. Surgical – For many PSS cases surgery is the treatment of choice. The abnormal vessel that is shunting blood around the liver is identified and closed (ligated) to minimize blood flowing through it. When the abnormal blood vessel is ligated blood will now flow through the liver instead of around it. This is readily accomplished for solitary extrahepatic shunts. Intrahepatic shunts can be more difficultto identify and ligate. Post surgical monitoring is important. If the pressure within the liver becomes too high due to the increased blood flow through the liver then the ligation on the shunting vessel(s) must be reduced or removed. In some cases medical management must also be utilized to affect a cure. The final outcome of treatment depends on what age the PSS started, how long it has been present, and whether it is intrahepatic (worse prognosis) or extrahepatic in nature. Long Term Monitoring – Pets on long term medical care need to be monitored carefully. Body weight, albumin, and total protein are watched to ensure adequate protein in the diet. Initially, these tests should be performed monthly, then every 3 months. In addition to the above tests, bile acids are monitored monthly, then every three months to assess the vitality of the liver. Blood ammonia levels are monitored monthly to assess effectiveness of treatment. When stable, ammonia levels can be monitored every 3 months. Prognosis – Many pets with isolated extrahepatic shunts return to a normal life after surgery. There is no guarantee that surgery will correct the problem, especially those pets that develop the disease very early in life. Some of them will need medical management simultaneously. The prognosis for pets that are treated only medically varies. Chronic Active Hepatitis. Fluids and Electrolytes – This corrects the dehydration that occurs with a poor appetite and supplies needed sodium, potassium, and chloride. This fluid is usually given intravenously (IV) at first. It can be given subcutaneously (SQ) at home after the initial dehydration is corrected. B- Complex vitamins are routinely added to the fluid bag. Care must be taken not to give excessive amounts of fluids, especially if they contain sodium, in pets with fluid buildup in the abdomen (ascites). Treating the Cause (when known) – Antibiotics are used to control bacterial infections and drugs that are suspected of causing this disease are stopped. We tend to use antibiotics that have minimal need for liver metabolism in order to minimize their toxic effects. Rest – The liver has ability to heal itself if the disease is not too advanced. Rest can be a big aid, along with proper nutrition. Ascites Reduction – Sodium restriction helps minimize fluid buildup (ascites) in the abdomen. This can be accomplished using Hills K/D Prescription Diet. Diuretics like Lasix are also used to help pull this fluid out of the abdomen. Dietary Modification – Using a diet that is restricted in protein may be beneficial because less ammonia is produced as a by- product of metabolism. Higher fiber diets might also be helpful, as long as the dog or cat is not undernourished. This is the same basic diets as for pets with PSS (see above). A diseased liver needs calories, which sometimes need to be supplied with a feeding tube. Ulcer Treatment – This will make pets more comfortable, more inclined to eat, and prevent bleeding in the stomach. Liver Specific Drugs: Corticosteroids – Cortisone is used if there is evidence that the immune system is implicated as a causeof the liver problem. Ursodiol – This drug replaces toxic bile acids with a type of bile that is less toxic. Zinc Supplementation – Might help reduce the effects of copper toxicity. Long Term Monitoring – CCHID monitoring is similar to PSS (see above). In addition, repeating a liver biopsy 6 months after initiating therapy used. Infectious Canine Hepatitis. Like most viral diseases therapy is directed towards symptoms. When symptoms are severe enough, intravenous fluids are administered. Since clotting factors can be disrupted particular attention needs to be paid to bleeding problems. If bleeding problems are severe enough, a whole blood transfusion must be administered. Dogs that are comatose may need intravenous glucose. Copper Toxicosis (Copper Storage Disease)Treatment has two goals – Enhance excretion of excess copper, and minimize further absorption of copper from the intestines. Chelating agents – Drugs like penicillamine bind with copper to allow easier excretion. Zinc – Zinc will help minimize further copper absorption from the intestines. Supportive Care – Similar to other liver diseases previously described. Long Term Monitoring – Serum, enzymes, and bilirubin should be monitored at least every 6 months. Cancer. Primary hepatic neoplasms are treated by removal of the affected liver lobe when possible. If multiple lobes are involved then surgery is usually not performed. Secondary hepatic neoplasms are treated with chemotherapy. The results vary, and depend on the duration, location, and degree of malignancy of the neoplasia. The prognosis is poor for long term survival. Supportive care that is similar to other liver diseases is also used in neoplasia.**Information from this section was compiled from the following sources: http: //www. Tags: antibiotics, canine, chelating agents, corticosteroids, diet, dog, enemas, fluids, lactulose, liver disease, milk thistle, rest, Sam- e, sodium, supportive care, surgery, toxins, treatment, ursodiol, vitamin k, zinc.
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