Hepatic diseases Flashcards
(48 cards)
Hepatitis
Inflammation of the liver
Cirrhosis
fibrosis of the organ
Ascites
Fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity
Jaundice
Elevated levels of bilirubin in the tissues and circulation
Where is the gallbladder
Centrally on the caudal aspect of the liver
What does the gallbladder do?
sends bile to the duodenum
Percentage of blood received by the hepatic portal vein and the hepatic artery
hepatic artery (20%)
hepatic portal vein (80%)
What are the 8 main functions of the liver?
- Detoxification
- Converts ammonia into urea
- Site of glucose homeostasis
- Metabolises fatty acids and lipase
- Storage of triglycerides, iron and some vitamins
- Synthesis of clotting factors and albumins
7.Production of bile - Breakdown of RBC
What percentage of the the liver is damaged before clinical signs are seen?
70-80%
Specific hepatic disease clinical signs
Anterior abdominal pain
Jaundice
Ascites
Bleeding disorders
Hepatomegaly
Encephalopathy
Pale fatty faeces,
Dark urine
Character change
Jaundice causes
* Pre-hepatic?
* Hepatic?
* Post-hepatic?
- Pre-hepatic? =Haemolysis of RBC
- Hepatic? =Degeneration of liver
- Post-hepatic? =Bile flow obstruction
Hyperbilirubinaemia
Too much bilirubin in blood
What could the history of the patient indicate the diagnosis of hepatic disease
- Ingestion – toxic agents
- Dark urine – excess bilirubin
- Pale faeces
What could the Physical examination of the patient indicate the diagnosis of hepatic disease
- Liver enlarged
- Ascites
- Jaundice
What could the bloods indicate the diagnosis of hepatic disease?
Liver enzymes
* ALT, AST, ALKP raised
* Bilirubin
* Protein
* BUN low
* Pre and post bile acids will test liver
function
* Haematology – blood count and
coagulation
Bile Acid Stimulation Test main points
- Fast patient for 12 hrs
- 1-2ml blood in plain (serum) tube
- Feed fatty meal
- Take 2nd blood sample in plain
(serum) tube 2 hrs after eating
Purpose of Bile Acid Stimulation Test
Bile Acid Stimulation Test
Tx and liver disease patient management.
IVFT
Antibiotics
Anti-inflammatories
water soluble bile acids= Destolit
Liver Supplementation (Samylin)
Lactulose
Dietary management
Diseases that may cause hepatitis
FeLV, FIV, leptospirosis,
adenovirus hepatitis.
Toxicity
Parasitic disease
Leptospira (zoonotic)
Salmonella in cats
Toxoplasmosis
Cholangiohepatitis
Inflammation of the liver cells
and bile ducts
What drugs may cause hepatitis?
Phenobarbital
Paracetamol
Secondary cause of hepatitis
Secondary-
Diabetes mellitus
hyperadrenocorticism
neoplasia
Copper toxicity in Bedlington terriers
Porto-systemic shunts
Cirrhosis of the liver
Occurs when the liver has been damaged and repairs itself by
formation of fibrous tissue
