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Liver Disease in Dogs and Cats
Overview
The liver is the organ that takes care of the majority of the body's detoxification functions and is responsible for filtering the entire blood supply. It is vital to your pets' ability to grow, fight disease, regulate blood sugar, and process nutrients.
Symptoms of liver disease include: poor appetite that can lead to weight loss; excess urination due to increased water consumption; lethargy; anemia; soft and/or light colored stools; bleeding disorders; distension of the abdomen; vomiting and/or diarrhea; jaundice; behavioral changes including circling, head tilt, and seizures, especially right after a meal; and excessive drooling in cats.
The good news is that the liver is a highly resilient organ and has the ability to regenerate vital cells if liver damage is diagnosed and treated in time.
Causes of Liver Disease in Dogs and Cats
There are many causes of liver disease that include but are not limited to:
- blunt trauma,
- copper storage diseases,
- genetics,
- environmental stresses and toxins,
- pancreatitis,
- Cushing's disease,
- malnutrition,
- parasites,
- cancer, and
- infectious diseases (bacterial, viral, fungal).
Medications given to pets to treat to other ailments can cause toxicity in the
liver including:
- Rimadyl (arthritis treatment),
- Thiacetarsamide (heartworm treatment),
- Ketaconazole (fungal treatment),
- Tylenol (acetaminophen),
- Glucocorticoids (cortisone),
- Anthelmintics (worming medication),
- Parasiticides, and
- Phenobarbital (epilepsy medication).
Natural Remedies for Liver Conditions in Dogs and Cats
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