The liver is the largest solid organ in the body and is an essential organ of the body, an integral part of the digestive system. The liver is considered to be the largest gland of the body and has a widespread role not only in the process of digestion but also in the process of detoxification, which also helps to metabolize various chemicals and medicines, produce proteins such as albumin and so on! The liver is essentially one of the core components of the body and can be considered to be a part of the highly important organ group with its rank equaling that of the Kidneys, Heart, and Brain. If not taken care of properly liver disease in dogs can happen. Let us go through the facts about the liver.
Liver facts:
1. It is the largest gland in the body.
2. It produces bile which helps to digest fats and is stored in a pouch-like gland called the gall-bladder which opens into the small intestine.
3. It helps to produce albumin, an important blood protein.
4. It helps to filter blood via the process of entero-hepatic recycling.
5. Liver helps and aids in forming blood clotting factors.
6. Liver also helps to maintain the balance of Amino Acids in the body.
7. Liver helps to resist infections.
8. It stores certain vitamins such as Vitamin A, Vitamin D, and E and K.
9. Liver helps to store glucose, form glucose when needed via a process called gluconeogenesis whenever the levels of blood glucose are low.
10. It helps to maintain the osmotic balance of the body.
11. It works meticulously to detoxify various medicines, toxins, xenobiotics, etc.
COMMON DISEASES OF THE LIVER.
The Liver is the target organ for the coordination of several vital functions. The liver has good regeneration capacity if faced with some unwanted biological agent. The commonly encountered Hepatic Diseases:
1. HEPATITIS:
Hepatitis translates to inflammation of the liver. For instance, certain plants such as Senecio or Crotalaria are hepatotoxic; so are certain fungi such as aspergillus. There is a certain number of Bacterias, which add on to the list such as Leptospira, Salmonella, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Clostridium, etc. To add to the hepatitis drama, certain viral agents, too, have a strong role. For instance, ICHV or Infectious Canine Hepatitis Virus causes hepatitis in dogs, while FIPV or feline panleukopenia virus can, too, mingle with the normal functioning of the liver.
Other events such as nutritional deficiencies of Vitamin E, Choline, Methionine, or excess of fat in the diet can propel hepatic damage. Certain toxic medicines such as paracetamol can cause immense hepatic damage and at times dogs and cats may succumb to this. Thus, there is a good lesson to be noted here;
Kindly note - ‘Never to give random human drugs/medicines to pets unless and until your Vet prescribes and guides you to do so.’
2. JAUNDICE:
Jaundice is an indicator of disease; thus, is termed as a symptom of disease rather than a disease entity itself. Bilirubin is a compound commonly found in the blood cells, due to excessive release of this compound can cause yellowish - discoloration of the mucous membranes, skin, conjunctiva, etc. commonly called Jaundice.
Jaundice can be classified into three groups
1. Pre-Hepatic Jaundice: The red blood cells are lysed due to some disease processes such as blood parasites e.g., Babesia, Ehrlichia, Leptospira, Immune-Mediated Haemolytic Anaemia, etc. which causes excessive bilirubin expulsion via the haemolysis of RBCs that can liver handle at any given moment, thereby causing jaundice.
2. Hepatic Jaundice: Hepatic jaundice happens when your liver tissue is scarred (known as cirrhosis), damaged, or dysfunctional. This makes it less effective at filtering out bilirubin from your blood. Since it can't be filtered into your digestive system for removal, bilirubin builds up to high levels in your blood.
3. Post-Hepatic Jaundice: if, the bile duct is occluded due to some reason such as parasites, bile duct stones, stenosis, or tumorous growths hampering the normal release of bile can again cause jaundice.
3. HEPATIC NEOPLASMS:
Neoplasms or new growth refers to the uncontrolled proliferation of cells or cancer. However, if genetic and adverse environmental conditions supervene, cancer or hepatic neoplasms can be seen in younger dogs as well. The most common primary hepatic neoplasm in dogs is hepatocellular carcinomas. Other types of cancers which could be encountered in liver tissues are hemangio-sarcoma, lymphoma, and sarcomas. These are diagnosed based on routine tests, MRI/CT, and/or Liver Biopsy.
4. HEPATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY:
Due to improper Porto-systemic shunt system in dogs, which is a spectrum of neuropsychiatric abnormalities seen in patients with liver dysfunction. The most important culprit of the neurological sign is Ammonia, which is circulating in the blood and isn’t adequately processed into a non-toxic substance as the liver is malfunctioning. Thus, brain cells are damaged with the toxic substances, thereby manifesting as a disease process.
The signs of symptoms of HE are:
· Circling
· Head pressing
· Seizures
· Ataxia
· Aimless walking
· Coma
· Prostration and death in severe cases.
MANIFESTATIONS OF HEPATIC DYSFUNCTIONS
The liver, an important organ that is connected to almost every core activity, right from blood clotting mechanism to detoxifying harmful toxins, the liver does it all. Here are some of the common clinical manifestations of hepatic dysfunction:
1. Jaundice: Although not always attributed to Liver a cent percent, an important manifestation in case of hepatic-related diseases such as hepatitis or cholestasis due to obstruction, etc.
2. Emaciation, Weight Loss: Due to chronic hepatitis or some liver-associated lesion, it’s common to see emaciation and weight loss in our furry friends.
3. Oedema: In sick Liver, Albumin isn’t produced in sufficient quantities, thus resulting in the non - availability in the bloodstream. It is an essential protein that helps to maintain hydrostatic pressure and if decreased can cause ascites or oedema.
4. Nervous Signs: In cases of hepatic encephalopathy, nervous signs such as Head Pressing, Circling, Seizures, Ataxia could be observed
5. Haemorrhage: The liver manufactures essential blood clotting factors, without which there’s an increased chance of spontaneous haemorrhage
6. Vomiting: Vomiting is a non-specific sign which could be attributed to a hepatic-related disorder. It is important to rule out other reasons such as digestive malfunctions.
1. BLOOD REPORTS-
A Complete Blood Test detects liver dysfunction. Coupled with the manifested signs and symptoms Liver diseases can be easily diagnosed based on CBC (Complete Blood Count) and LFT (Liver Function Test). These tests check several different parameters in the blood. A few examples of parameters to be tested in case of suspected Liver Disease are:
· Albumin and Total Protein:
· Enzymes such as – ALP/AST/GGT/ALT [Liver related]
· WBC Count
· RBC Count
· Platelet Count
· Blood Cholesterol
· Prothrombin Time
2. PALPATION AND PERCUSSION:
On physical exam, your vet will try and palpate the abdomen to locate the edge of the liver and notice any signs of hepatic enlargement [hepatomegaly] or any sort of pain response that can be elicited on deep percussion.
3. LIVER BIOPSY:
For more complicated Hepatic/liver-related dysfunctions, such as fatty infiltrations, Toxicity of Copper, Zinc, Lead or to further investigate neo plasia[cancer], etc. Liver Biopsy is the gold standard test.
4. USG:
Ultrasonography helps us to have a closer look at the internal structures which are anatomically and physiologically closely related to the liver. Through USG it becomes possible to locate any abnormalities in the abdominal area, and have a closer look at the digestive organs such as the pancreas, liver, intestines, kidneys, etc.
5. RADIOGRAPHY:
X-RAY is an important tool in diagnostics. Through XRAYs the entire abdominal cavity and/or chest cavity can be evaluated simultaneously depending upon the area of focus. Hepatomegaly or liver enlargement can be observed in radiography as well. It is also a helpful tool to differentiate between primary liver disorders and other disease processes.
LIVER CARE
An organ is always taken care of in diseases other than those originating from the liver itself. For instance, in case of digestive dysfunction and diseases, liver supplements are always warranted as it provides extra cushioning support to an already ongoing pathology. Some vets do suggest liver tonics and supplements for growing puppies and kittens as it helps to elevate immunity as well as improvise growth.
The treatment protocol varies considerably as no two hepatic diseases are the same, and thus each one requires specifically tailored diets/food, medicines, and other essential support. Silymarin, N-Acetylcysteine, Antibiotics, fluid therapy, etc. are some solutions. As mentioned earlier, these medicines could be coupled up with each other or with different drugs to suit the patient with ongoing hepatic and/ or another concurrent disease.
LIVOMATE: A TRUE LIVER FRIEND
Livomate Drops for Pets is a homeopathic liver supplement that helps provide extra cushioning support to the liver in regeneration and repair. It helps to combat anorexia, vomiting, indigestion associated with liver pathology. LIVOMATE is a combination of different homeopathic medicines which has proven effective in different types of Liver Disorders in animals as humans. Liver-associated problems are difficult to manage as it is connected to all organ systems and is extremely important in the normal conducting of digestion, blood factors, detoxifying process, and so on. Livomate helps to manage hepatic related disorders by natural means and provides relief in conjunction with other ongoing treatment protocols.
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