Liver dysfunction in dogs

-

               


    Liver is an important organ of the body and performs various functions, acts as reservoir ( glucose etc) and is capable of regenerating. It is the second largest organ in the dogs body next to skin. Due to its wonderful regenerating capacity makes it some protection against permanent damage.

                   However liver is also susceptible to injury due to it's function as a metabolising, detoxifying and storing of various toxins. 

Causes for liver dysfunction :

                   Some of the factors making the dogs liver dysfunction are 
           Ageing 
          Genetic factors 
          Infections
          Trauma 
          Medical side effects 
          Some of the plants, certain species of mushrooms, blue - green algae
         Leptospirosis ( bacterial disease) 
         Diabetes 
         Fatty foods etc

Types of liver dysfunction :

                   There are two types of liver dysfunction which is ACUTE and CHRONIC.             Chronic liver dysfunction occurs gradually due to some of the long standing health problems like Diabetes and Neoplasia ( cancer). 
         Acute liver dysfunction occurs mostly due to Poisoning, other causes are 
                      Viral infections 
                      Bacterial infections 
                      Cysts which obstruct bile ducts
                      Trauma to liver
                      Endocrine diseases like diabetes, Cushing's disease, hyperthyroidism. 

Clinical signs :

           Some of the important clinical signs in liver dysfunction are
                     Loss of appetite 
                     Vomiting 
                     Stomach ulceration 
                     Diarrhoea 
                     Seizures 
                     Fever
                     Jaundice ( yellowish tinge in mucous membranes, eyes and skin etc ) 
                    Ascites ( fluid accumulation in abdomen) 
                    Excessive urination and thirst 
                    Weight loss
                    Blood in urine or faeces 
                    Blindness 

Diagnosis :

                    Based on haematological results which helps in understanding infectious, inflammatory diseases or Anaemia that resulted in liver dysfunction.
                   Other methods like use of Ultrasound, X - ray helps ro to determine Liver size, gall stones and diseases of gall bladder. Aspiration or biopsy materials also can be used to detect any bacterial infections or toxic analysis.

Liver enzymes :

                   GGP, ALT, AST, ALKP are some of the enzymes used to measure liver diseases. Hepatocellular enzymes like ALT, AST are released incase of hepatocellular damage.
         Some other tests like 

Albumim :

                 Albumim is synthesised exclusively by liver. Hypo albuminaemina due to reduced hepatic function can be seen when 75% of the liver gets damaged.

Glucose :

                It is another important uncommon and non specific factor marked hepatic dysfunction. Hypoglycaemia most commonly occurs in actue hepatic failure.
                         Other results in urine analysis shows bilerubinuria, bacteriuria, ammonium biruate crystals etc can be seen.

Treatment :

                Treatment should be based on clinical sings and tests results ( urine, blood and histopathology). Some of the commonly used treatment procedures like 

     Diet changing :

               High quality easily digestable proteins and carbohydrate diet should be given with zinc and b complex, vitamin k, vitamin E supplementation. 
  Anti-biotics are to be given incase of suspected infection. 
                      Increase of acute renal failure due to any poisoning etc the dog must be given with intra-venous fluid therapy, antibiotics and certain liver specific medication.
                      Surgery incase of cysts or tumours.

Prevention :

              Providing the dog with healthy diet, preventing the dog becoming obese, regular vaccination against diseases ( Leptospirosis, adenovirus etc), providing the aged dogs with liver tonics, regular health check up of dogs over 8 years old dogs  are some of the measures to be taken. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Care for Aged Dogs

-
Image
                           Aging is a normal part of everyone's life, and at some point all dogs become seniors. It is the natural process of things and every owner should be prepared for it.                 It is important to remember that many physiological changes occur during the aging process that your canine companion will experience. These include: Lack of energy Reduced hearing Changes in eyesight Arthritis  Obesity Dental problems Cancers Cardiac and kidney diseases                  All dogs are not considered seniors at the same age, it mainly depends on the breed and the dogs unique traits.  Small breeds at 10 - 11 years of age  Medium sized breeds at 8 - 10 years  Gaint breeds at 5 - 6 years of age                 Special care should be taken to the dogs when they...
Read more

Obesity In Dogs

-
Image
                 Obesity refers to excessive fat accumulation in the adipose tissue of dog due to over intake of energy rich foods leading to increase in the body weight of the dog which will have negative impact on the health of the dog. Breeds which are prone to canine obesity?               Some of the medium and large sized canine breeds more susceptible to obesity like                Labridor                Dachshund                Doberman pinscher                Hounds               German shepherd                Bull dog and pug               Beagles etc. Complications due to obesity in dogs?             ...
Read more

Dog - Chocolate

-
Image
 Why is chocolate bad for dogs?                       Chocolate contain an ingredient called theobromine ( similar to caffeine ) which is toxic to dog. As humans can easily metabolise theobromine whereas dog takes long time to metabolise theobromine which leads to accumulation of toxins in the system.                       Though chocolate is toxic for dogs but a small amount only leads to vomitions, stomach upset and diarrhoea. Whereas, a large amount of theobromine leads to tremors, irregular heart beat, seizures and internal bleeding e.t.c leading to death of dog.                        The onset of theobromine poisoning shows the symptoms of hyperactivity, as theobromine is a brain stem stimulant. Chocolates with theobromine levels :                       ...
Read more