Though dogs can suffer from liver disorders, the good news is that the liver regenerates if not too badly damaged and many causes of liver disease are curable. Some conditions progress rapidly, even with the best treatment. Others progress slowly. Care from a veterinarian is vital, but attention to diet is another way for pet owners to help their dogs with liver disease.
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Causes
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Possibilities include liver cancer; abscess in the tissue or bile ducts; cirrhosis (scar tissue replaces liver cells); parasite invasion; malformed blood vessels; chemical toxins; and a condition (many breeds are vulnerable) called copper liver disease.
Symptoms
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Jaundice is one indicator of liver disease. Inflammation or a blockage causes bile to accumulate, mucous membranes appear yellow and urine is often yellow-orange. Lethargy can be a sign of liver disease, as can pushing and rubbing the head against objects and people.
Nutrition
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Most liver disease interferes with the ability to break down protein, so provide a high-protein diet. Your vet can steer you toward an appropriate commercial pet food. If you are up to being your dog's chef, here--from www.dog-health-guide.org--is a recipe intended to support your pet's liver health:
Combine 8 oz. cooked shredded chicken breast (with skin), 1 1/2 cups cooked rice, 1/4 cup mashed boiled carrot, 1 1/2 tbsp. wheat bran and 1 1/2 tbsp. canola oil. For variety, substitute ground beef and tofu for the chicken.
This amount might be one meal for a large dog or several for a small dog.
Danger
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Potassium, sodium, vitamin C and copper may be harmful for dogs with liver problems, so avoid them if you are supplementing your dog's diet.
Copper Storage Disease
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Copper, present in lamb, pork and duck, can impede liver function in breeds vulnerable to copper storage disease: wire fox terriers, schnauzers, Samoyeds, poodles, Pekingeses, Kerry blue terriers, keeshonds, golden retrievers, German shepherds, Dalmatians, dachshunds, collies, cocker spaniels, bulldogs, bull terriers, boxers, Old English sheepdogs, Airedale terriers, Bedlington terriers, West Highland white terriers, Skye terriers and Doberman pinschers.
Diets for these breeds should focus on low-copper foods like beef, eggs, cottage cheese and tomatoes.
How to Help
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Keep your dog quiet and comfortable to aid regeneration of liver cells and minimize pain or nausea. Watch for changes in your dog's condition and be ready to alert your veterinarian--problems with bleeding and poor digestion often come with liver disease. Sometimes neurological symptoms such as coma appear. You are your pet's best advocate.
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