Liver disease is not uncommon among cats, especially senior felines. A veterinarian's care is required for your cat to recover from liver disease; however, natural treatments can play a role in your cat's healing process. You may wish to discuss adding natural treatments with your regular veterinarian or you may consider consulting a holistic veterinarian.
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Symptoms
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In the early stages of liver disease, symptoms include vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss, soft and/or gray stool, weakness and listlessness.
As the disease progresses, your cat's symptoms may include jaundice, confusion, convulsions and a swollen abdomen from fluids accumulating.
In its later stages, symptoms include nervousness that will manifest itself in circling, head pressing, aimless wandering and possible aggression. The cat may have a staggering gait, lose its vision, be aggressive and fall into a coma. These symptoms are caused by the buildup of toxins in the animal's brain.
Diagnosis
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Your veterinarian will make a presumptive diagnosis based upon your cat's symptoms. The doctor will also do blood tests and may take X-rays. In some cases the veterinarian may also want to do a liver biopsy.
Conventional Treatment
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Conventional treatment for liver disease in cats is dependent upon what is causing the disease. Treatments may include intravenous fluids, antibiotics, laxatives, blood transfusions, corticosteroids, ursodeoxycholic acid, colchicines, vitamin and mineral supplements and force-feeding a diet high in calories. If the cause of the disease is cancer or a tumor, chemotherapy may be used.
Homeopathic Treatment
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Homeopathic treatment can be used as supportive care for your cat while he is undergoing conventional treatment for liver disease. If you plan to treat your cat's liver disease only with natural remedies, you should consult a homeopathic veterinarian. Whatever treatments you choose for your cat, discuss your options with your veterinarian.
Homeopathy examines the overall health of an animal, including his environment and diet, as part of treatment. A homeopathic veterinarian may include diet, herbs, minerals, acupuncture and other natural medicines in your cat's treatment.
Diet
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Your cat's diet is important to her treatment for liver disease because of the liver's ability to regenerate and heal itself. A balanced diet fed in small, frequent meals low in fat and containing easily digestible grains may help to minimize the work required of the liver.
Milk Thistle
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Milk thistle is the most used herb in treating liver disease in pets. Research indicates that milk thistle may help stimulate liver function, protect the cells of the liver from damage, repair damaged liver cells and promote the flow of bile. Milk thistle is also believed to aid in the improvement and regulation of digestion and to help remove toxins from the cat's body.
Dandelion
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Dandelion is another popular herb in the treatment of liver disease in cats. This herb has been used for many years to help stimulate liver function and increase the flow of bile. It is thought to help relieve jaundice, increase appetite and cleanse the cat's body of toxins.
Herbal Medicines/Minerals
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Herbal medicines and minerals can play a role in treatment of liver disease in cats. Some commonly used treatments for liver disease by themselves or in combination with steroids, other prescription drugs and/or other herbs and holistic treatments include burdock, natrium phosphate and turmeric extract.
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