Nutrition For A Healthy Liver
To keep your dog’s liver healthy, give your pooch food that’s highly digestible and sufficiently calorie-dense. If your dog doesn’t have specific food requirements, giving them food that’s labeled “complete and balanced” will help them maintain ideal levels of sodium, chloride, potassium and other minerals.
It’s important to note that you should always consult your veterinarian before feeding a healthy dog a food that is formulated for dogs with liver disease.
Feeding your dog the best possible food goes a long way toward preventing liver problems. But it’s equally important to pay attention to their overall health. After all, with early detection and intervention, many health issues â including liver disease â may be highly treatable.
Do You Know The Signs And Symptoms Of Liver And Kidney Failure In Dogs
Liver and kidney failure in dogs are both extremely common. Either can be fatal to your canine companion if left untreated.
The liver is a filter for your pups digestive system. It metabolizes proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. It stores the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients your dog needs for a healthy body.
The kidneys filter waste for your dogs bloodstream. For top health, both organs must be working well.
If youre able to communicate with your pet, he or she will be able to tell you when their system isnt functioning at its peak.
Your dog might have the odd down day or eat something that upsets their stomach, but its imperative that you consult a veterinarian if any of these symptoms persist.
If your dog has spent the day playing in a public space, or has been exploring out of bounds in your garage or garden shed and begins vomiting or has diarrhea, contact a vet immediately to rule out poisoning.
What causes kidney disease?
There are two types of kidney disease: chronic and acute.
Signs of acute failure will be immediate and very sudden. However, unlike liver failure, the signs of chronic kidney failure wont be very obvious. It develops over years and is an irreversible condition but is manageable.
Keep a close eye out for:
- A decrease in urination
Acute kidney failure will appear with symptoms such as:
Of course, it will be easy to tell if Rover is feeling off if you spend lots of time walking, playing, and talking with him.
Can Activated Charcoal Remove Urea From Blood
Marci and her family are big activated charcoal fans, and the thought came to her that this might be the remedy for Tommy as well. That very evening, after the visit to the vet, she emailed to ask if charcoal would be a viable option for Tommys condition.
In the morning, Marci also phoned us, and we mentioned that the Vet Dtox Powder would be the ideal charcoal of choice for Tommy. We also shared the dosing for poisoning in animals, which is 1 TBS to every 30 lbs of body weight. The powder should be administered by mixing thoroughly in wet food or via syringe with water. Results obviously vary, but it is not uncommon to see quick results, if the culprit is toxin based, as charcoals claim to fame, is in adsorbing a wide array of chemicals, toxins and poisons.
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Symptoms Of Liver Disease In Dogs
The symptoms of early stage liver disease are non-specific, which means they are common to a number of ailments and do not directly point to a liver problem. This can make detecting liver issues difficult. Early stage symptoms can include:
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- An increase in thirst, which will cause the dog to pee more frequently
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Changes in behavior, such as irritability, lethargy, or depression
As the disease progresses, it can cause jaundice where the skin, eyes, and gums turn a yellowish color. This is one of the most telltale signs of liver disease. In addition to jaundice, later stage symptom include:
- Swelling of the abdomen due to enlargement of the liver or fluid build up
- Issues with blood clotting
Neurological problems, such as disorientation, pacing, aimless wandering, or lack of coordination can also happen in the end stages. These are caused by an accumulation of toxins that normally would have been eliminated by the liver.
Portosystemic Shunts And Other Vessel Abnormalities
Portosystemic shunts have already been described as a congenital defect Liver Congenital abnormalities are conditions that an animal is born with they are often called birth defects. Some of these conditions are inherited and tend to occur within particular families… read more . However, in some cases they can develop as a part of illness. In these instances they are called acquired shunts. They can be caused by high blood pressure in the vessels entering the liver. The diseased liver can be thought of as resisting blood flow into the organ. In this case, new blood vessels open to bypass the liver and connect to the blood system of the rest of the body, where the blood pressure is lower. It is as if the blood system were finding a detour around a traffic jam. Acquired shunts are usually seen in older animals and are more frequent in dogs than in cats.
Signs of an acquired shunt include excessive thirst, vomiting, and diarrhea. Fluid accumulation in the abdomen is common. Affected dogs may also have neurologic signs that come and go. Laboratory tests can identify abnormalities associated with the underlying liver disease. Medical treatment of the disease to minimize the neurologic signs and fluid build-up in the abdomen can result in a favorable outlook for some dogs with this condition.
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Treatment For Kidney Failure In Dogs
As with many other conditions, treatment will be determined by your dogs overall health and the underlying cause of their kidney problems.
If your pet is suffering from acute kidney failure, urgent and intensive treatment will be required, often in intensive care at your animal hospital. That said, if spotted early, milder cases of acute kidney failure may be treated with fluids, antibiotics and medications without the need for hospitalization. In some cases dialysis may be recommended to treat acute renal failure in dogs.
When it comes to treating chronic kidney failure, the primarily focus will be on slowing the progression of the disease and improving your dog’s quality of life. Symptoms of chronic kidney disease such as nausea, fluid imbalances, and blood pressure fluctuations may be treated with medications and/or changes to your dog’s regular diet.
Many dogs being treated for chronic kidney failure go on to enjoy a good quality of life for a number of years. In order to help manage your dog’s condition, and improve your dog’s quality of life, specific nutrients, nutritional supplements or a therapeutic diet may be recommended.
Why Does My Dog Throw Up Bile Every Few Days
When a dog is throwing up bile, its a sign of a number of conditions that affect the digestive system, including inflammatory disease, ulcers, parasite infections, and certain cancers. In each of these cases, the underlying condition needs to be diagnosed and treated by a veterinarian to relieve the vomiting.
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What Do The Kidneys Do
In veterinary school we had to learn anatomy and physiology before they would teach us the fun stuff . Though I didnt love it at the time, I guess they did have a point.
So, lets start with a little anatomy and physiology lesson.
Dogs, just like people, have two kidneys, one on the right and one on the left. Your dogs kidneys are in their upper abdomen tucked up under the ribs near their back.
If you have ever potty trained a puppy or rushed home to let your older pup out to potty, then you are all too familiar with the most well-known job of the kidneysmaking urine. The urine that the kidneys make, however, is just a by-product of several lesser known but highly vital jobs performed by these powerhouse organs.
The kidneys are responsible for:
- Filtering toxic waste products from the blood
- Balancing levels of essential electrolytes
- Preserving hydration by conserving just the right amount of water
- Helping regulate calcium and phosphorus levels
- Controlling blood pressure
- Stimulating the bone marrow to produce new red blood cells
One of the more important points to note about the kidneys is that kidney cells cant grow back or regenerate. Some other organs, like the liver, can regenerate after they are damaged. But when it comes to the kidneys, dogs arent going to get any more kidney function than they were born with.
Kidney Health Grocery List
This is an additional great supplement to your recipe book along with a menu planner. The main ingredient to have an ideal kidney health is diet, and you have to replace unhealthy food with healthier ones. This helpful guide will help you choose the best foods next time you go grocery shopping. It lists down what you should eat and what you should avoid to improve your kidney function.
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Kidney Failure In Dogs Symptoms 10 Signs To Watch Out For
Kidney Failure in Dogs Symptoms? You love your dog, and your dog means the world to you. As such, you want to be sure that theyre as healthy as possible and that they stay that way throughout their lifetime. Kidney failure in dogs symptoms can help keep your canine companion out of the doghouse by alerting you when theres something wrong with them before its too late. This guide will provide 10 common kidney failure in dogs symptoms to watch out for so that you can spot any issues early on and get treatment before they become serious problems.
Symptoms Of Renal Disease & Renal Failure In Dogs
As noted above, chronic kidney disease is kidney disease that has been present for months or years. Signs of chronic disease in dogs can vary from subtle and slowly progressive to severe. They may sometimes appear suddenly and commonly include:
- Drinking too much and producing large volumes of urine
- General depression associated with elevation of waste products in blood
- Overall weakness caused by low potassium in the blood
- Increased volume of urine in the bladder
- Drunken behavior or uncoordinated movement such as stumbling
- Significant decrease in appetite
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Medications To Manage Proteinuria
Protein loss in the urine is a similar chicken and egg phenomenon to high blood pressure causing kidney disease and kidney disease causing high blood pressure. Consequently, vets also try to monitor and address urine protein levels in dogs with chronic kidney disease.
As the kidneys degenerate, the filter portion of the kidneys can become leaky. Proteins that the kidney should keep within the bloodstream are then able to leak out into the urine. So, protein in the urine is a sign of kidney disease, but that leakage of protein through the kidneys can also hasten kidney damage.
Your vet may prescribe oral medication to help decrease this protein loss.
Should I Be Worried If My Dog Throws Up Yellow
If your dog vomits yellow bile just once, there is no need for alarm. Watch your dog for lethargy, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weakness, and other signs of illness. If your dog seems otherwise normal, watch for more vomiting. If the vomiting continues, skip your dogs next meal and continue to observe.
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Early Recognition Of Acute Kidney Injury
Numerous urine parameters can herald the development of ARF in patients with initially normal renal function. The value of monitoring these parameters in CKD patients receiving NSAIDs has not been assessed. Increased urine turbidity or changes in urine sediment are other indications of acute renal damage along with increased excretion of sodium and chloride. The acute onset of tubular glucosuria or the acute onset or increases in proteinuria may also be indicative of AKI. The interpretation of all of the above parameters is enhanced by knowledge of baseline values.
Can Liver And Kidney Disease In Dogs Be Cured
Sadly, allopathic Western medicine vets say that chronic liver and kidney disease cant be cured, but it can be slowed down and even reversed in some cases.
Holistic vets and healers will take a different approach through homeopathy, diet, supplements, Kangen miracle water, and various energy therapies like light therapy, oxygen therapy, BodyTalk Healing, and soul repair.
Both say that liver and kidney failure in dogs can be treated though maybe not necessarily cured if caught in the very early stages.
Your vet will conduct blood tests and an ultrasound or x-ray to assess the extent of the problem and establish whether it originates with the liver or is a sign of another issue like cancer.
Expect fluid therapies, antibiotics, or, in extreme cases, surgery to remove cysts, gallstones or cancerous parts of the liver or kidney.
These treatments will be distressing for your furry friend. Be sure that youre able to communicate and reassure them during the process to aid in the healing.
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Signs Your Dog Has Liver Disease
As with many other illnesses, symptoms of liver disease in dogs are varied and can easily be mistaken for something else. Due to the many functions the liver has, there are many different warning signs your dog might have liver disease. Specific symptoms will depend on the bodily function involved.
That said, there are several more common warning signs of liver disease in dogs. One is jaundice and the other is gastrointestinal problems.
With jaundice your pets skin has a yellowish tinge, most noticeable in the ears, eyes and gums. Gastrointestinal issues include symptoms vomiting and diarrhea, and a more worrisome condition called ascites, or fluid retention in the abdomen.
Following are the warning signs to look for:
- Blood in urine or feces
Is There A Stage 6 Kidney Failure
Stage 6 is for patients who have a glomerular filtration rate of less than 15 mL per minute and require dialysis intervention for their renal failure. Chronic kidney failure or chronic renal failure signifies loss of kidney function that occurs over a prolonged course of time as opposed to acute renal failure.
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Potential Nephrotoxicity Of Nsaids
Renal damage and disease can be caused by acute or chronic insults to the kidney. The terms renal disease and renal damage are used to denote the presence of renal lesions these terms however imply nothing about renal function or the cause, distribution, or severity of the renal lesions. Acute kidney injury often results from ischemic or toxic insults and usually affects the tubular portion of the nephron. Early detection of ARD facilitates appropriate intervention that can arrest or at least attenuate tubular cell damage and the development of established acute renal failure . In contrast, nephron damage associated with CKD is usually irreversible and can be progressive. Pre-existing CKD increases the risk of ARD associated with the use of potentially nephrotoxic drugs.
What Is Kidney Disease In Dogs
Many important tasks are carried out by the kidneys when they are functioning normally. They remove toxins from the blood and excrete them from the body in urine, regulate blood pressure and blood acidity levels, as well as preventing water loss and maintaining an overall healthy metabolic balance. Any condition which stops the kidneys working properly is referred to kidney or renal disease, and can vary greatly in severity. It means damage is in progress but there is still functional tissue left. In renal failure, the kidneys have stopped working altogether and is far more serious.
Kidney disease is classified in two ways acute and chronic.
When the condition is acute, it is a complication of another condition such as kidney stones or cancer, or the consumption of something toxic. In this case, symptoms can be severe and onset rapidly but, depending on the cause, the condition can sometimes be treated and resolved.
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Top 7 Symptoms Of Liver Failure In Dogs
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The liver is an internal organ that is very important to the health of a dog. This organ is located in the abdomen under the diaphragm with most of it being on the right side of your dog. It is dark red in color and has multiple lobes.
The liver plays a vital role in detoxifying the body, producing important factors for blood clotting, producing bile used in digesting food, and many other functions necessary for life. It is also able to regenerate and repair itself to a degree, but can still become diseased. Serious problems with your dog’s liver can lead to irreversible and fatal liver failure in some cases so it is important to have any concerns checked out with your veterinarian.
It can be helpful to know what symptoms to look out for. There are numerous signs that a dog is in liver failure, but some are more common than others.
Knowing what to watch for and seeking prompt veterinary attention can help keep your dog healthy and comfortable for as long as possible.
Do Dogs With Liver Failure & Kidney Failure Need The Same Diet
While there are some similarities in proper diets for dogs with liver and kidney disease, its not safe to lump the two together.
Kidney and liver disease have completely different effects on the body, resulting in many different dietary needs. Though both liver and kidney disease can benefit from low protein diets in the later stages, dogs with kidney failure have many different requirements that need to be met.
For example, dogs with kidney disease require high water intake, limited phosphorus, low sodium food, and specific daily supplements. Kidney disease has such a different dietary requirement, that there are multiple lines of kidney friendly diets in veterinary grade dog food. Before assuming that dogs with liver failure have the same requirements as dogs with kidney failure, its best to speak with your veterinarian about the differences.
As you can see, a dog with liver failure has different dietary needs than that of a healthy pup. Be sure to review the information we discussed above, and you can better understand your dogs liver failure going forward.
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