Hepatitis

The liver is involved in all processes in the body. It is responsible for metabolism, removal of toxins and toxins, taking the brunt of the damage. Unfortunately, liver diseases in cats and dogs are diagnosed more and more often. Hepatitis of various etiologies are the most common pathologies of this group. They develop for various reasons: from improper nutrition to serious poisoning. If at the initial stages of the disease successfully succumbs to drug treatment, then without timely assistance, the prognosis is extremely unfavourable.

What is hepatitis, features and types, causes of the disease in dogs, cats

Hepatitis is called an inflammatory process in the liver, which leads to the death of the cells of the organ (hepatocytes), their replacement by connective tissue. Gradually, the organ loses functionality, systemic disorders develop, and the animal dies.

Specialists distinguish several types of hepatitis, depending on the causes of their occurrence:

- infectious - develops as a complication after viral, bacterial or fungal lesions;

- toxic - a consequence of poisoning by substances with a recorded hepatotoxic effect. These can be chemicals, poisons, some drugs (such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anticonvulsant drugs);
- reactive - formed against the background of pathologies of other internal organs (pancreas, digestive tract).

A pet can get hepatitis after eating indoor plants, spoiled or inappropriate food, poisoned mice. Sometimes owners, trying to alleviate the condition of the favourite, give cats medicines intended for humans. Many of them are poisonous to animals, quickly lead to the destruction of hepatocytes. Also, poisoning can occur through the lungs or skin of the dog.

The disease is also caused by helminths. They damage the organ mechanically, attaching to it with suckers or hooks. Microtraumas make the cells susceptible to the penetration of infection. In addition, in the process of vital activity, worms release toxins that have a detrimental effect on the structure of hepatic tissues.

According to the course of the disease is divided into two forms:

- acute - develops rapidly, without emergency assistance leads to a fatal outcome;

- chronic - dangerous asymptomatic course at the initial stage. Often makes itself known at the stage of irreversible fibrosis or cirrhosis of the organ.

To save the life of the pet, it is important to start treatment at the first (even minor) signs of hepatic inflammation.

Chronic hepatitis is asymptomatic for months (even years). The dog may experience:

- intermittent vomiting;

- a yellowish tinge to the sclerae of the eyes;

- diarrhoea;

- lightening of the faeces to a greyish colour, possibly with flecks of blood;

- arrhythmia;

- rapid fatigue;

- frequent drinking;

- darkening of the urine;

- fluid accumulation in the peritoneum (ascites) - develops in the later stages of the disease.

At the appointment, the doctor will interview the owners, examine the animal, palpate the abdominal cavity. Then the furry patient will be sent for additional examinations:

- "biochemistry" of blood;

- ULTRASOUND;

- OAC;

- leptospirosis test (for dogs).

Sometimes a biopsy is required. In the chronic course of the disease liver blood values are within normal limits, then the analysis will have to be retested again.

Treatment of the disease in pets

The therapeutic scheme for hepatitis first of all includes adherence to a strict diet with the exclusion of all fatty foods.

In symptomatic treatment use:

- steroids;

- antibiotics;

- anti-inflammatory;

- B vitamins;

- analgesics;

- antiemetics;

- antispasmodics;

- glucocorticosteroids;

- diuretics;

- plasma replacement agents.

However, the most important stage of liver disease therapy is the administration of specific veterinary hepatoprotective agents.

Effective preparations of this pharmaceutical group are produced by the company Apicenna:

- Hepatodject - solution for injection;

- Hepatovet Active - suspension for oral administration.

These means accelerate the regeneration of cells of the affected organ, normalise the level of ammonia in the blood, reduce intoxication.

For the duration of treatment, the patient should provide complete rest, strictly monitor that none of the family members did not feed the pet from the table with forbidden products. If you start therapy in time, carefully follow all the doctor's recommendations, the liver will eventually recover. The animal will be able to live a full life.