NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT IN HEPATIC-DISEASE .2. DIETARY-MANAGEMENT OF COMMON LIVER DISORDERS IN DOGS AND CATS

The successful nutritional management of patients with hepatic disease represents a significant therapeutic challenge because of the profoun d metabolic alterations that impair nutrient utilization. Management i nvolves the provision of adequate calories, proteins, and micronutrien ts to support hepatocyte regeneration. In addition, the considerable h eterogeneity that exists among patients concerning nutritional require ments emphasizes the importance of closely monitoring nutritional stat us to permit individualization of therapy. Dietary recommendations, in cluding homemade recipes, are presented for the nutritional management of dogs and cats with idiopathic hepatic lipidosis. Canine copper-ass ociated hepatotoxicity, hepatic encephalopathy, and chronic hepatitis are described.