 Purred: Thu Jan 29, '09 6:30am PST |
 | |  | | Cats are prone to a number of liver ailments, including hepatic lipidosis, general hepatitis, and cholagiohepatitis. Older cats are most susceptible to these conditions, although young cats can also develop these problems.
In older cats, the liver often doesn’t work as efficiently as it does in younger animals. For this reason, nutritional supplements designed to improve liver function are particularly important for senior felines.
While the causes of liver diseases are varied, the goal of any holistic treatment plan is to restore the health of the liver. See the Natural Treatments section to learn how milk thistle and antioxidants can aid in the regeneration of the liver.
Common Liver Diseases in Cats
Hepatic Lipidosis
Hepatic lipidosis, also known as fatty liver disease, usually results when a cat stops eating for some reason. Sometimes the lack of appetite is the result of environmental stress, such as during travel, after the addition of a new pet to the household, or from another situation. Other times, another illness causes the cat to lose its appetite. When a cat stops eating, fat begins to accumulate in the liver. Over time, the liver becomes so fatty that it has difficulty performing its normal functions.
Diagnosis
Hepatis lipidosis is diagnosed by evaluating the cat's symptoms and through a blood test that exams the cat's liver function.
Conventional Treatments
The first course of treatment for a cat diagnosed with hepatic lipidosis is to get the cat to eat. If the cat refuses food, a stomach tube can be surgically implanted, and liquified food can then be put directly into the cat's stomach. Antibiotics may also be given to combat a possible secondary bacterial infection.
Traditional treatment for hepatic lipidosis can be supported with natural supplements that help foster liver health. These include milk thistle, S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe), borage oil and certain amino acids.
See the Natural Treatments section for more information on using nutraceuticals to help heal and regenerate the liver.
Back to top
General Hepatitis
General hepatitis can strike a cat as a result of a viral infection, a bacterial infection or exposure to a toxic substance.
Diagnosis
Cats suffering from hepatitis are diagnosed through a blood test, which helps veterinarians evaluate liver function. Veterinarians sometimes perform a biopsy on the liver to determine the exact cause of the symptoms, which include loss of appetite, vomiting and weight loss.
Conventional Treatment
Traditional treatment for hepatitis depends on what is causing the problem, and may include antibiotics, steroids or ursodiol. Natural alternatives that support the liver through a bout of hepatitis include milk thistle, S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe), licorice root and ginseng.
Cholagiohepatitis
Cholagiohepatitis is an inflammation of the bile ducts that results in damage to the cat's liver. This disease can be caused by a bacterial infection, or may be present in addition to other illnesses, such as kidney failure and an illness called Tyzzer's disease.
Diagnosis
Cholagiohepatitis is diagnosed by evaluating liver values and white blood count through a blood test. A liver biopsy may also be performed to help confirm the diagnosis. Symptoms can include fever, vomiting, loss of appetite and depression.
Conventional Treatment
Veterinarians treat cholagiohepatitis traditionally with antibiotics, steroids and/or an appetite stimulant. Surgery is sometimes performed on the bile ducts. Natural remedies that can support the body in this condition include zizyphus fruit, milk thistle and bupleurum root.
Natural Treatments for Liver Diseases
Diet plays an important role in the healing of the liver. Small, frequent meals which are low in fat and contain easily digestible grains will help minimize the work that the liver must do while it heals.
There are several nutraceuticals that aid in treating liver diseases and are especially beneficial to restoring the health of the liver when steroids and other prescription drugs are used.
Milk thistle is often the herb of choice among holistic veterinaraians because it is a powerful antioxidant.
Milk thistle as a healing agent
milkthistleSilybum marianum (milk thistle) is one of the most important herbal liver tonics and restoratives for your pet. Scientific analysis shows that milk thistle contains silymarin - a powerful antioxidant which can block the entry of toxins into the liver and remove them at cellular level, resulting in regeneration of liver cells and improved liver function.
More potent as an antioxidant than Vitamin E, silymarin acts as a scavenger on free radicals (molecules that cause cell damage), as well as increasing levels of glutathione (a prime antioxidant that protects major organs) and inhibiting the formation of damaging leukotrienes (an inflammatory agent). Silymarin also stimulates the production of new liver cells to repair damage caused by disease.
In addition to milk thistle (silymarin), there are several other nutrients which are beneficial to the liver:
* Burdock - Used for centuries as a blood purifier and cleanser.
* Natrium Phosphate - A tissue salt that helps to assimilate fats and promote the flow of bile from the gall bladder.
* Natrium Sulphate - A tissue salt often recommended to detoxify the liver.
* Dimethyglycine (DMG) – An amino acid that helps rebuild liver cells and encourages the elimination of toxins in the body.
* Pyridoxal 5'Phospate – The active form of B6, an essential vitamin that is not easily broken down in pets with compromised livers.
* Vitamin B12 – An important vitamin needed for proper digestion and absorption of food.
* Choline Citrate – A chemical used by the liver to move fats in and out of the cells, which is crucial to liver health.
* Methionine – An amino acid needed for proper detoxification of the liver.
* N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine – An amino acid that is aids in the removal of toxins from the liver.
* Turmeric Extract – A potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
* Alpha Lipoic Acid – A powerful antioxidant that enhances the antioxidient effects of Vitamins C and E.
* Coenzyme Q10 – Also known as Vitamin Q, this nutrient is essential for healthy liver function.
* Antioxidants - Chemicals that capture damaging free radicals in the body and encourage healthy liver cells. |  |  | |  |
|
| my page | msg me | gift me | become friends | |
Ask a Cat Lady: Why Does My Cat Love Knocking Things Down?
2
