Liver Disease in DogsThe liver is one of the largest organs in the body and could be considered to be it’s power station. All food substances absorbed from the intestine into the blood pass through the liver before going on to the rest of the body. The liver plays a central role in all aspects of metabolism of:- carbohydrate metabolism including regulation of blood glucose levels and energy storage in the form of glycogen - production of the proteins found in the blood including albumin and the conversion of the waste products of protein metabolism (ammonia) into urea for excretion by the kidneys - fat metabolism: production and control of cholesterol and triglycerides - recycling the by products of red blood cell breakdown into bile which is then released into the intestines to help with fat digestion - vitmains: absorption of the fat soluble vitamins and storage of vitamins A, D, K, B12 and folate - detox: breaking down and detoxifying unwanted food materials, drugs and hormones Signs of liver problems include weakness, fatigue, liver pain, nausea and in severe cases, jaundice, but large amounts of the liver need to be non-functional before signs develop. Causes of liver disease include infection with hepatitis virus, toxic poisoning, physical injury, fibrosis and cirrhosis, circulatory abnormalities and tumours. If the primary cause of disease can be eliminated, the liver also has remarkable powers of regeneration and is capable of achieving major rebuilding in a matter of weeks. Liver disease requires careful investigation and may necessitate extensive medication. If your vet has diagnosed a liver problem you will need to take specific advice on diet and prescription medicines. In addition make sure that vitamin and mineral intake is adequate and consider supplementing with S-Adenosyl Methionine , a powerful liver specific anti-oxidant that is now widely used often in combination with the herb Milk Thistle to help speed up the repair process in damaged livers.
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