Dog Liver Disease Diet

Copper is a necessary metal element in a dogs body as it aides in the production of melanin, the pigment that colors the coat and the skin. It is also linked with metabolizing iron. Deficiencies of copper can cause a bone disorder and anemia even if iron intake is normal.

The problem with the breeds that are genetically susceptible to copper related hepatophy, is that this condition causes them to store an excess amount of copper in the liver. These breeds accumulate and store the copper in the liver instead of releasing it in their urine.

Storing toxic amounts of copper in the dog's liver, causes problems in these animals with the way the liver is suppose to function. It makes the dogs targets for liver diseases. Some of the liver diseases associated with storing excess amounts of copper are hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver. A genetic link to copper hepatophy toxicosis in these breeds has been discovered through research.

Many of the terrier breeds, especially the Bedlington Terriers, develop chronic hepatitis as a result of this inherited metabolic defect. In the United States alone, as many as 66% of Bedlington Terriers may be affected.

The symptoms of copper related hepatophy include a dull, unhealthy looking coat. As the disease progresses, the affected dogs will lose their energy, become depressed and lethargic. They can show signs of loss of appetite and weight loss; yet, they will be seen drinking more water and urinating much more frequently than usual. The first signs of dog depression can be lessened by changing their diet to a diet designed for liver disease.

More advanced signs of cirrhosis of the liver are jaundice (yellowing of the gums, whites of the eyes or skin).

Other possible signs of liver disorders include dark-colored urine, pale gums or a build up of fluid in the abdomen (ascites) that could be mistaken for sudden weight gain.

It is crucial if any of these warning signs exist to get your dog to the vet for an accurate diagnosis.

The only way the dog can be diagnosed for this disease is through blood tests, which include toxicity testing to determine if there is an excess of copper in the blood stream. Your veterinarian can administer these tests to diagnose liver disease.

Obviously, these breeds of dogs need to be fed diets that are low in copper. High-quality proteins are better digested and have an amino acid content close to the levels these dogs need. At least 25% of their daily caloric intake should be protein.

The proteins that contain low amounts of copper that can be tolerated by these dogs are beef and chicken; dairy products such as cheese and eggs; and plant proteins such as soy isolates or tofu (soy beans) and wheat gluten. A canine liver disease diet must also be low in fat.

The exception to this is if the dog has contacted Canine hepatic encephalopathy, a condition in which the liver disease has advanced so far that the brain has become affected. In this case, a low-protein diet is recommended.

Most veterinarians recommend that owners feed their dogs a mix of animal based and plant proteins since the use of soybean is found distasteful to some dogs and lactose-containing dairy protein diets may cause diarrhea in some dogs that are not use to eating them.

Fresh, cooked vegetables that are low in copper are essential for a dog on a liver disease diet that has been caused by the body storing the excess copper. They are also essential for preventative measures for these dogs that are prone to this genetic malfunction.

The vegetables should be mixed into the dogs protein food. These vegetables could include broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, green beans, sweet potatoes, tomatoes or squash for a canine with a copper related liver disease. These vegetables will add more fiber and calcium to the dog liver disease diet without adding any fat.

Adding a cup or two of cooked brown rice (not dried brewers rice hulls), or cooked whole wheat pasta to the mix will be adding a healthy high fiber starch that dogs do like to eat. The amount you add will of course depend on the size of the dog.

Juicing the vegetables and adding the juice to the dog food mix is another excellent way to add the vegetables to their food. Flax seed is another healthy addition that should be included in their dog liver disease diet, as the seeds encourage healthy joints and a beautiful shiny coat. The omega 6 and 3 fatty acids help with that condition.

Juicing the vegetables helps to digest the enzymes for your pet. This is similar to the wolf in the wild eating the contents from the stomach of their prey. Your dog's diet will need a variety of different vegetables daily to maximize the potential for the best vitamins and nutrients for this disease.

Moderate amounts of soluble and insoluble dietary fiber can help a dog with liver disease. Soluble fiber such as beet pulp and gums lowers the production and absorption of ammonia and helps the growth of beneficial bacteria. Fiber (both soluble and insoluble) also helps your dog rid itself of bile acids. Insoluble fibers (lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose) help to normalize the transit time it takes for feces, prevents constipation and binds the toxic copper so that it can be passed out of the system..

Dogs predetermined for copper retention should not eat pork, lamb and duck.

All of these protein meats should be avoided as they are very fatty and difficult for the dog with liver disease to digest..

Always check with a veterinarian nutrition expert for a complete list of the foods that should be eliminated from the diet of a dog that is storing copper.

Vitamin supplements should also be given to make sure the dogs are getting the proper nourishment and nutrients that their bodies need, however, additional Vitamin C should NOT be given to these breeds that are susceptible to copper hepatophy disease or liver disease. Vitamin C may increase the damage to the liver. Extra Vitamin E should be supplied as it is an antioxidant that aides in the healing of the damaged liver.

Zinc is a mineral that is very beneficial to preventing this liver disease in dogs as it helps the dogs to pass the copper out in their urine as they should be doing.

Again, always check with your veterinarian to find the correct levels of supplements that are necessary for your breed of dog. The diet should be calibrated based on the digestive capacity of the diseased liver. The age and the activity level of the dog will also be factored in to the veterinarians diagnoses.

It can be a very serious disease, and if left untreated, can be fatal.

Treatment for dogs that have already be diagnosed with a liver disease will often be treated with the use of penicillamine to increase urinary excretion of copper.

Zinc acetate helps to bind copper preventing its absorption. Affected dogs are placed on a low copper diet, preferably with less than 0.5 PPM of copper.

The use of copper binding agents in the Doberman Pinscher dog breed is controversial since the disease tends to progress even if copper levels are decreased to normal.

Traditional treatment for this disease includes the feeding of a special diet based on dairy or soy protein, along with drug treatment to help the body rid itself of copper.

Natural remedies, such as glutathione, pyridoxal 5'-phosphate, zinc and milk thistle can be helpful in treating hepatophy by supporting the liver function, repairing the liver and by helping to detoxify the dogs body.

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a flowering plant in the Aster family. A native of Europe, it has been used since the time of the Roman emperors as a liver tonic. Milk thistle is one of very few traditionally used herbs that has been widely accepted by conventional science to have significant medicinal value.

Uses in Canines

Silymarin, which is itself a combination of several other active compounds, has been extensively studied around the world, and has been shown to be safe and effective in treating a variety of liver diseases and other conditions. It specifically protects the liver against toxins (including some drugs and heavy metals), activates protein synthesis, and stimulates growth of new liver cells to replace those that are dead or damaged. Milk thistle also has strong antioxidant (destroys oxygen free radicals) and anti-inflammatory actions.

Silymarin reaches high levels in the bile and liver (it also reaches significant levels in the lungs, pancreas, prostate, and skin). It can be used in the treatment of hepatic lipidosis, chronic hepatitis, cholangitis (inflammation of the bile ducts), and pericholangitis (inflammation of the tissue around the bile ducts). It may be useful in preventing or treating gallstones by thinning the bile. Many dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have concurrent inflammation of the liver/bile system and the pancreas. This suite of symptoms is called "triaditis." Because milk thistle's beneficial actions concentrate on the liver and bile systems, it may also be helpful in dogs with IBD.

Today we know the active ingredient of milk thistle seed extract as a flavonoid compound called "silymarin." Most milk thistle extracts available today contain about 80 percent silymarin.

Milk thistle should be considered as an aid to healing after drug therapy, vaccinations, and infections such as canine parvovirus, as well as an potential adjunct treatment for cancer.

Researchers at Case Western University concluded from their work that "silymarin possesses exceptionally high protective effects against tumor promotion . . . " One human study even suggests a role for milk thistle in diabetes mellitus through its normalizing effects on red blood cells. It may also help prevent diabetic neuropathy, a common complication of the disease that causes degeneration of the nerves controlling the hind limbs, which consequently produces weakness and an abnormal gait.

Read the rest of this article here: The Canine Eilepsy Guardian Angels to get the proper dose to give your dog.

".....The concept of a special diet for liver disease is not a novel one. But in this book, Cyndi addresses the topic from a very personal and truthful level. She has tried everything that could possibly be helpful for her dog, much more than what she's listed in these pages. She's put all the results of her research into an easy to read, concise book that fills a tremendous need in the pet-lover community.

You will find her determination inspiring in addition to solid information about a complex disease. This book is by no means the answer to all of your dog's needs, but it provides a great start for treating your dog with liver disease in collaboration with a qualified veterinarian.

"This is vital information that needs to be available for every pet-lover who has a dog with liver disease."
Deb Forster, B.S., D.V.M. - http://www.fourpawsvethospital.com

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There is Hope to Healing Liver Disease

Someone asked what I thought of Hills Prescription Diet l/d Canine as a dog food for a terrier that is storing excess copper in her liver. This is a copy of the ingredients in this dog food that is intended to be for dogs with liver disease, which it does state on the package:

Ingredients:
------------
Brewers Rice, Pork Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), Dried Egg Product, Soybean Meal, Pasta Product, Soy Fiber, Flaxseed, Pork Protein Isolate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Chicken Liver Flavor, Soybean Oil, Powdered Cellulose, Potassium Chloride, Glycerol Monostearate, Calcium Carbonate, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), Vitamin A Supplement, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Menadione Dimethylpyrimidinol Bisulfite (source of vitamin K)), Choline Chloride, Iodized Salt, Taurine, minerals (Zinc Oxide, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), DL-Methionine, L-Arginine, L-Carnitine, L-Tryptophan, Ethoxyquin (a preservative).

Average Nutrient Content:
-------------------------
Protein 14.5 min
Fat 20.5 min
Carbohydrate (NFE) 46.9
Crude Fiber 3.5 max
Calcium 0.50 min
Phosphorus 0.40 min
Sodium 0.20
Potassium 0.83
Magnesium 0.080
Carnitine 150 ppm min
Iron 118 mg/kg
Zinc 283 mg/kg
Copper 4.5 mg/kg
Vitamin K 0.02 mg/kg

Intended for:
Dogs with liver disease.

===========================
The first two ingredients that I highlighted, in my opinion are not good for any dog, least of all a dog prone to or having a liver disease. The first ingredient in this food is brewers rice, which is a low quality grain as it is not the whole grain. This is only the hulls of the rice and is there as a filler. This should never be the first ingredient in dog food.

Citrus acid in this case, is being used as a bonding agent, as it will bond to minerals and metals, to help metabolize the copper. It is not be be confused with ascorbic acid (Vitamin C).

This is followed by pork fat, the second "main ingredient, which is the primary source of protein in a food that has a zero meat content. Pork, least of all pork fat, should not be fed to a dog that has liver problems.

Fresh egg and fresh soy beans are sources of quality protein, but in this case the dried egg product and soybean meal are low quality protein. Soybean meal is only the ground hulls of soybeans that are left after all of the oil has been extracted. There is very little nutitional value in the hulls and are only used as a filler.

Next we have pasta product. Since it does not say whole wheat or whole grain, or spinach pasta, etc., we can only assume what it may be made out of. Who knows? Could be anything. Maybe it's white flour, maybe it's corn or soy. Your guess is as good as mine.

Pork Protein Isolate - I am guessing what this is because I couldn't find out anything about it. The only place it is mentioned on the web is in this brand of dog food, so I am guessing that it is pork fat mixed with soy protein isolate.

Dicalcium Phosphate - is used as a dietary supplement to replace calcium in human cereal, dog treats and some deodorants. It is practically insoluble in water, and is used to give the dog energy.

Glycerol Monostearate (GMS) is a fat. It is labeled as a fat and the FDA considers it to be a saturated fat. It isn't something I would consider purposely consuming in quantity as it is the equivalent of eating lard. This is not something that should be consumed in great quantities by a dog with a liver disease. GMS is used in a lot of human food as a food additive for thickening, emulsifying, anti-caking, and as a preservative agent. It is also used as an emulsifying agent for oils, waxes, and solvents; a protective coating for hygroscopic powders; a solidifier and control release agent in pharmaceuticals; and as a resin lubricant. It is also used in cosmetics and hair care products. It is also used in ice-cream and whipped cream to give it more volume.

The rest are synthetic vitamins and minerals, except for the Ethoxyquin (a preservative). This preservative I am not happy with at all. Ethoxyquin was banned from use in human food because it was found to be carcinogenic.That means it is a known cause of cancer. Like many chemicals, it is produced in several forms. One form is used to prevent breakdown of rubber; another has been used to protect apples from scale insects.

Ethoxyquin is manufactured by Monsanto Chemical Company. It has been used in dog food for many years in the US but it is banned in Europe. Some local breeders and competitive dog food manufacturers have blamed ethoxyquin for a variety of maladies, including skin, reproductive, allergies and nerve problems. The complaints led to a review of the scientific literature on ethoxyquin studies by the FDA and a recommendation of new tests. However, the chemical was not removed from the market.

The one last thing that I would like to mention is the amount of sodium in the food. Again this is my personal opinion, but I do think it is a little high for dog food.

Four things that I think are good is the low copper content, the flax seed, the soy fiber and the vitamins, even though they are synthetic vitamins .

Well, there it is - that's my breakdown, now you decide.

There are only 2 basic choices for a liver diet for your dog. What I mean buy that is either one you prepare at home or one that is a processed dog food that has been specially formulated for dogs with this disease. Many veterinaries will attempt sell their patients owners commercial liver disease dog food. Be very careful of what the vet tries to sell you. Do your homework. Regular dog foods are not recommended because they are often full of fillers and chemical additives that can be toxic or difficult for the sick dog to digest.

Cottage Cheese, Tofu, and Rice Diet (moderate sodium)

1/2 cup cottage cheese, 1 percent fat
2/3 cup tofu, raw firm
1/-1/2 cups rice, long-grain, cooked
1 tbsp chicken fat
1/4 tsp salt substitute - potassium chloride
3 bonemeal tables (10-grain or equivalent)
1 multiple vitamin tablet
Provides 651 calories, 36.9 grams protein, 21.8 grams fat.
Supports caloric needs of a 20 lb dog
2 to 3 oz or more of raw potato can be added to increase bowel movement frequency.

Cottage Cheese and Rice Diet (high sodium)

1-1/2 cups rice, long-grain, cooked
1 cup cottage cheese, 1 percent fat
1 tbsp chicken fat
1/4 tsp salt substitute - potassium chloride
3 bonemeal tables (10-grain or equivalent)
1 multiple vitamin tablet
Provides 598 calories, 34.5 grams protein, 17.1 grams fat
Supports caloric needs of an 18 lb dog
2 to 3 oz or more of raw potato can be added to increase bowel movement frequency.

Tofu and Rice Diet (low sodium)

1-1/3 cups tofu, raw firm
1-1/2 cups rice, long-grain, cooked
2 tsp chicken fat
1/4 tsp salt substitute - potassium chloride
3 bonemeal tablets (10-grain or equivalent)
1 multiple vitamin tablet
Provides 700 calories, 43.1 grams protein, 24.1 grams fat
Supports the caloric needs of a 22 lb dog
2 to 3 oz or more of raw potato can be added to increase bowel movement frequency.

10-grain = 648 mg. I used bonemeal powder instead of tablets.
Recipe ingredients can easily be multiplied to accommodate your dog's caloric needs. Do not multiply the vitamin tablet.

The most recommended diet for dogs with liver disease are either a low-copper food or a food with no copper at all. Always check with your vet to find out what type your dog needs, as most healthy dogs do need a small amount of copper. Fresh ingredients such as beef and eggs should be fed raw to provide a healthy easy to digest protein. Since dogs suffering from hepatic disease do not absorb and digest food effectively, the diet should be high in fiber from grains and vegetables to help with their digestion and to assist with the absorbtion of excess ammonia and stomach bile acids.

I found the Dog Liver Disease Recipes at:
Home Cooked Food for Liver Disease

Specially Formulated To Maintain Healthy Pet Liver Functioning

A friend told me about this yesterday when we were talking about dog liver disease. He said that it helps his miniature dobie. It's worth a try. Can't hurt and it might help!

Helps promote natural ability of the liver to purify the blood

Treatment program for pets with liver, gallbladder and pancreatic problems

Promotes healthy digestive and metabolic functioning

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Easy to administer granules for rapid absorption

Safe for cats and dogs

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