Alimentary - Liver

Question 1

Where does the liver sit?

Answer 1

Caudal to the diaphragm

Question 2

What does the liver do?

Answer 2

Assimilates, stores and releases nutrients
Synthesises albumin, some globulins, clotting factors and bile
Stores vitamins and minerals and glycogen
Metabolises and detoxifies drugs and absorbs toxins
Role in inflammation and immunity
Small role in RBC production
Stores excess iron
Haemoglobin transformed into bilirubin

Question 3

What are the details of the protein/carb/fat and the liver?

Answer 3

Carbs - maintains blood glucose through glycogen storage (glycogenesis) and releases glycogen (glycogenolysis)

Fats - lipolysis breakdown fats for energy via beta oxidation. Lipogenesis stores fat as triglycerides in adipose tissues

Proteins - converts proteins to amino acids for energy or fat and carbs. Detoxifies ammonia to the urea cycle

Question 4

What is the reticuloendothelial system?

Answer 4

Its the cells that phagocytose macrophages, Kupffer cells are the ones in the liver. They destroy WBCs and RBCs but can be excessive in autoimmune diseases.

Question 5

What are the clinical changes of liver disease?

Answer 5

Inappetence/anorexia
Vomiting and/or diarrhoea
Jaundice
Depression/lethargy
Polydipsia/polyurea
Encephalophathy
Bleeding tendencies
GI ulceration
Photosensitivity (horses)
No clinical signs (cats)

Question 6

How to diagnose liver disease?

Answer 6

Measures of ALT and ALP (liver enzymes)
Bilirubin can increase (jaundice)
Increase in bile acids
Blood ammonia (in advance disease)
Decrease in protein
Decrease in clotting factors
Platelet disfunction
Decrease in blood glucose
Cholesterol increase/decrease
Increase proteins (globulins)

Ultrasound

Question 7

What can cause liver disease?

Answer 7

Infection - bacteria, viral and fungi
Parasites - e.g liver fluke
Vascular disorders - portal vein shunt
Toxicity - plants, drugs, and metabolites of the drug
Neoplasia
Degenerative and fibrotic
Genetic disorders