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Animal Health – General (Expert Forum)
Liver Failure
Answered by
Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A - Small Animals, dogs, cats, C.V.A, Western Herbal Medicine, Traditional Chinese Herbalist, Acupuncture
American Animal Hospital
Randolph - NJ
This forum is for general pet health questions, such as questions about medications, parasites, vaccines, infectious diseases, breed specific and genetic problems.
Liver Failure
by AlwaysMe21, Nov 14, 2007 09:06PM
Posting again, and I apologize! I had earlier posts about my dog having pancreatitis. Well, she is much better, but the vet noticed jaundice in her eyes today. He did blood tests and the liver enzymes were so high the machine wouldn't register them. She doesn't seem to have a bacterial infection he said.
So here's my new question, is liver failure basically a death senetence? She is acting so much better, almost normal, but not quite. He hasn't specified a cause or anything. So I was just wondering what I *could* expect since it seems as though her liver is failing. Is it reversible or manageable?
So here's my new question, is liver failure basically a death senetence? She is acting so much better, almost normal, but not quite. He hasn't specified a cause or anything. So I was just wondering what I *could* expect since it seems as though her liver is failing. Is it reversible or manageable?
Doctor's Answer
by Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A, Nov 15, 2007 06:09AM
, Nov 15, 2007 06:09AM
There are multiple causes for liver disease. Liver enzymes can become elevated from medications, toxins, inflammation, infectious causes, parasites, endocrine disorders, and more seriously cancer.
It does not have to be a death sentence, but the fact that your vet said that they were the highest liver enzymes he has ever seen is not a very optimistic prognosis.
I would put her immediately on the herb Milk Thistle (silimarin) at a human adult dose. Milk Thistle is available at heath food stores and some drug stores.
She should also be placed on Hepatic Support (which contains choline and inositol among other hepatic protection agents) and Denisyl (contains SAM-E). These latter two should be taken at the highest dose tolerated and should be available from you vet. The herb Burdock Root is also helpful and should be given at a human adult dose (from a health food store).
It is important to keep her eating. If she has a good appetite your vet can supply her with a prescription diet called Hepatic Formula. I hope this helps!
It does not have to be a death sentence, but the fact that your vet said that they were the highest liver enzymes he has ever seen is not a very optimistic prognosis.
I would put her immediately on the herb Milk Thistle (silimarin) at a human adult dose. Milk Thistle is available at heath food stores and some drug stores.
She should also be placed on Hepatic Support (which contains choline and inositol among other hepatic protection agents) and Denisyl (contains SAM-E). These latter two should be taken at the highest dose tolerated and should be available from you vet. The herb Burdock Root is also helpful and should be given at a human adult dose (from a health food store).
It is important to keep her eating. If she has a good appetite your vet can supply her with a prescription diet called Hepatic Formula. I hope this helps!
Member Comments (2)
by AlwaysMe21, Nov 14, 2007 09:14PM
Also, he said that he's never seen liver enzymes that high before in his career.
