What is Hepatitis in Dogs? Treatment by Herbal Remedies
Abstract
Liver is an important organ of the body of an organism. It does various functions. Liver disease is common these days. Fatty liver is the commonest among all due to the unhealthy food consumption. Dogs which generally eat what their masters eat and due to various other infections suffer from liver diseases. Among them, Hepatitis is what we are going to discuss in the text below. Some dogs develop ascites and hepatic encephalopathy in advanced stages. Few dogs have jaundice. Let’s have a look at hepatitis on dogs in detail and also discuss the management of the same in the contemporary veterinary sciences and what Ayurveda has to offer. Let’s get started.
Introduction
Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver or liver cells. This can result from various causes. This can be caused by infections that can be due to viruses or bacteria. Breeds that are predisposed to develop this condition are Springer Spaniels, maltese, Beagles, Cocker Spaniels, Labrador Retrievers, Skye Terriers, Standard Poodles, Doberman Pinschers, Bedlington Terriers, Chihuahuas and West highland White Terriers. The common forms of hepatitis are acute hepatitis, non-specific reactive hepatitis and chronic hepatitis. Let’s have a look at the causes, types, signs, symptoms, investigations and management of hepatitis in dogs.
Causes of Hepatitis in Dogs
- Infections
- Toxins
- Reaction against endotoxin
- Liver hypoxia
- Hepatic copper accumulation
- Idiopathic
There are Two Types of Hepatitis
Infectious Canine Hepatitis
Canine chronic hepatitis is an intense infectious illness caused by the canine adenovirus 1. This infection focuses on the kidneys, liver, lungs, spleen, blood vessel lining and other organs as well. Symptoms may vary from mild fever, mild thirst to death.
Canine Chronic Hepatitis
Canine chronic hepatitis is related to infectious canine hepatitis. It intends that at some point, the inflammation and cell death has occurred.
Signs and Symptoms
- Congestion
- Watery discharge from nose and eyes
- Deficiency of blood clotting
- Blindness
- Sight fever
- Loss of appetite
- Thirst
- Enlarged tonsils
- Eye inflammation
- Vomiting that is occasional
- Pain in abdomen
- Spontaneous bleeding
- Bruised or reddened mouth and nose
- Severe depression
Severe cases
- Swelling in the neck, head lymph nodes
- Seizures
- Red rashes/spots on the skin
- Death
Investigation
- Blood tests
- Antibody test
- Immuno-fluorescence scanning
- Liver biopsy is a definitive diagnostic method
Management
- Broad-spectrum antibiotics
- Anti Inflammatory medication
- Immunosuppressive medication
- Protect the dogs’ eyes from bright light if clouding in the cornea has developed.
- Intravenous fluid therapy
Ayurvedic aspect and management of Hepatitis in Dogs
Ayurveda is an ancient medicinal or life science that has been serving mankind from ages. Ayurveda focuses on the lifestyle and diet in order to correct a condition. Ayurveda is based on three basic doshas or energies i.e. vata, pitta and kapha. These within normal limits define health whereas derangement shows presence of a disorder. Thus maintaining normal limits of the same means establishing health.
Pashu Chikitsa
In India, some of the animals are considered as vehicles of God and Goddesses and they are praised as well. So, it is obvious that they are given appropriate attention and love for animals is indeed evident. Though there is no clear reference found in the ayurvedic textbooks, some of the ayurvedic practitioners have treated many cases of animal diseases. With their expertise in the same, they are practising well in veterinary science and attaining desired results with herbal medicines. They have mentioned their good work in their books which validates the positive management of the veterinary diseases with herbal medicines.
Coming to hepatitis in dogs, in Ayurveda this can be correlated with hepatitis in humans. In Ayurveda, liver is pronounced as ‘Yakrit’. Pitta dosha stays in the liver and associated organs. Most of the liver disorders are due to pitta dosha aggravation. Aggravation of the pitta dosha results in various liver ailments including fatty liver, hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver. Aggravated pitta affects activity of the enzymes that are responsible for digestion, metabolism and absorption. Hence the condition is correlated with pitta dosha aggravation.
The management depends on the lines of balancing pitta dosha and managing the symptoms of hepatitis as well. The medications such as arogyavardhini vati, panchanan vati, triphala churna, motha churna, vishaladi churna, phalatrikadi kwath, draksharishta, beejakarisht, kumaryasava, lohasava, panchatikta ghrita, drakshadi ghrita, vyoshadi ghrita, danti ghrita, katukadya ghrita, dadim ghrita, haridradaya ghrit, amalaki avaleha, darvyadi leha, mustak churna, avipattikar churna etc are effective in the management of hepatitis in dogs.
Herbal Remedies by Planet Ayurveda for Hepatitis in Dogs
Planet Ayurveda is an eminent ISO 9001:2015, USA-FDA, GMP certified company. Planet Ayurveda is an ayurvedic company that’s sole motto is to spread Ayurveda’s wisdom or knowledge around the globe. Planet Ayurveda is also a manufacturing unit. Planet Ayurveda manufactures a number of ayurvedic formulations as mentioned in the various textbooks and ayurvedic pharmacopoeia. Planet Ayurveda’s products are free from any kind of adulterants and are the purest one. Products are available in different forms such as tablets, capsules, jams, powders, syrups etc. Therefore, one can use these as per one’s comfort. Planet Ayurveda’s products are free of additives, glues, colours, chemicals and artificial sweet enhancers. Planet Ayurveda products are halal certified and gluten free. Planet Ayurveda presents its products that effectively manage hepatitis in dogs.
Following is the list of medicines that are effective in the hepatitis in Dogs
- Yakrit Plihantak Churna
- Liver Detox Formula
- Phyllanthus Niruri
- Livo Plan Syrup
Product Description
1. Yakrit Plihantak Churna
Yakrit Plihantak Churna is a beautiful remedy formulated by Planet Ayurveda. It is a perfect remedy for liver disease. Yakrit Plihantak Churna is a blend of bhumi amla (Phyllanthus niruri), bhringraj (Eclipta alba), kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), sharpunkha (Tephrosia purpurea) and kaasni (Cichorium intybus). All these herbs are hepatoprotective and rejuvenate the liver cells. It helps in various conditions related to the liver. It alleviates the inflammation of the hepatocytes and reverses the condition of hepatitis by removing the toxins and fighting microbes.With these properties Yakrit Plihantak Churna is very good in the management of hepatitis in dogs.
Dosage: 1/2 tsp twice–mixed with dog food.
2. Liver Detox Formula
Liver Detox Formula is a perfect remedy by Planet Ayurveda for detoxifying the liver. It is composed of various herbs such as kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), kaasni (Cichorium intybus), kutki (Picrorhiza kurroa), makoy (Solanum nigrum), punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa) etc. All these herbs have antiviral, antibacterial and rejuvenating properties. Thus, it helps in removing the toxins from the liver and body and these establish new hepatocytes. This also helps in alleviating symptoms of hepatitis effectively. Therefore, Liver Detox Formula is a must remedy to check hepatitis in dogs.
Dosage: One capsule twice to be opened and mixed with food.
3. Phyllanthus Niruri
Phyllanthus Niruri is a herb that is composed by Planet Ayurveda in capsules. Phyllanthus Niruri contains the pure herbal extract of herb bhumi amla (Phyllanthus niruri). Phyllanthus Niruri has amazing health benefits. It stimulates the liver and boosts its functions. It also alleviates the pain and other symptoms associated with hepatitis in dogs. With its anti-inflammatory property, it alleviates the inflammation of the liver cells thus checking hepatitis. It is a must herb for all liver diseases. Hence, Phyllanthus Niruri is of great help in the management of Hepatitis in dogs.
Dosage: One capsule twice to be opened and mixed with food.
4. Livo Plan Syrup
Livo Plan Syrup is a perfect remedy by Planet Ayurveda for various liver ailments. Livo Plan Syrup is made up of various hepatoprotective herbs such as Bhumi amla (Phyllanthus niruri), kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), kaasni (Cichorium intybus),, shyonak (Oroxylum indicum), patol (Trichosanthes dioica), sharpunkha (Tephrosia purpurea), rohitaka (Tecomella undulata) etc. All these herbs are known to have good effects on the liver and spleen. Livo Plan Syrup has antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, hepatoprotective, hepatocytes regenerative properties. Diuretic property helps in managing ascites. Hepatoprotective action prevents and restricts the damage of the liver cells. Antiinflammatory action reverses inflammation, antiviral and antibacterial properties removes toxins and detoxifies the liver. Moreover, it aids the regeneration of the liver cells. With these properties, Livo Plan Syrup comes out to be the best remedy in managing hepatitis so well.
Dosage: 10 ml twice daily with plain water after meal
Contact Planet Ayurveda Support Team to provide you the costing / ordering and delivery information at – costing.planetayurveda@gmail.com or Call at 0172-521-4030 (India), +91-172-521-4030 (Outside India) or Whatsapp at (+91) 9915-593-604.
Conclusion
Hepatitis in dogs is not so common but the breeds it affects are quite in numbers. The condition can occur due to various infections and some cases are reported of no cause. The symptoms usually vary from mild to severe such as loss of appetite to death of the dog. The management in contemporary medicine science is completely supportive. Whereas in Ayurveda, the condition is managed on the lines of dosha involved in causing the condition. The Ayurvedic management is curative and supportive as well. The management depends on balancing the pitta dosha and alleviating the symptoms associated with hepatitis in dogs. The Ayurvedic herbs are effective enough to reverse the condition of hepatitis with their hepatoprotective and liver cell regeneration properties. The medicines mentioned above are very effective in the management of hepatitis in dogs.