Alternative Treatments For Liver Disease In Dogs And Cats

Explore alternative treatments for liver disease in dogs and cats, including ozone, milk thistle, vitamin C, nutrition, and other therapies.

Liver disease is common in dogs and cats, especially as they age. Conventional therapies are important, especially in acute cases. But options like ozone therapy, vitamin C, herbal support, and targeted nutrition can also be beneficial. These alternative treatments for liver disease in dogs and cats complement traditional care and may also improve outcomes and quality of life.

Conventional therapies for liver disease 

When a dog or cat has acute liver disease, veterinarians typically admit them for intravenous therapy. Treatment may include anti-emetics (for vomiting), antibiotics (if needed), and other supportive drugs. 

Dogs can also develop chronic active hepatitis (not to be confused with viral hepatitis). In this condition, one or more liver enzymes are moderately elevated, even though the dog appears healthy. Diagnostic tests usually do not reveal a particular cause. 

Conventional treatment usually consists of a prescription “liver diet” and sometimes prednisone, as the condition is thought to have an unknown inflammatory origin.

Alternative treatments are often beneficial 

• Ozone: I often add ozone gas to IV fluids for acute liver disease in dogs and cats. Ozone has many benefits. It delivers oxygen for healing, kills bacteria and other pathogens, reduces inflammation, and stimulates the production of glutathione — the body’s major antioxidant.

          Acute cases of liver disease demand immediate therapy, and I have found ozone to be quite helpful, even pending true diagnosis.  

• Vitamin C: This vitamin is also helpful for liver disease when added to IV fluids. I administer the first bag of fluids with ozone, wait a day, then administer a bag of IV vitamin C.  Vitamin C is an immune and energy booster, and a powerful antioxidant. I use a high dose, a one cc per two pounds of body weight.

• Nutrition: For chronic liver disease, including cases of chronic active hepatitis in dogs, the veterinarian should recommend changes to the animal’s diet. Because anorexia and weight loss are common, diets should be high in fat (unless lipidosis is present), rich in high-quality protein (excluding copper-heavy beef), and include vitamins K and E. 

• Milk thistle: The addition of Western herbs, such as milk thistle — which protects and restores the liver and helps with bile flow — is quite beneficial. However, this herb is estrogenic so use it with caution if the dog or cat also has mammary cancer.

           Milk thistle contains active compounds called silymarin and silybin:

                    1. Silymarin boosts glutathione (a major antioxidant) and strengthens liver cell membranes, making it harder for toxins to enter.                            It also reduces inflammation and enhances bile production, which aids digestion and helps the body eliminate toxins and waste                          more efficiently.

                    2. Silybin is the most active compound. It stimulates protein synthesis, which helps repair and regenerate liver tissue. 

            When no toxic or infectious agent is found, many liver disease cases are diagnosed as “inflammatory.” Treatment is then empirical and              focused mainly on reducing inflammation. Vets often prescript steroids, but these drugs have side effects. So adding a good source of                milk thistle is extremely helpful. 

            Choose milk thistle products carefully, as ingredient quality isn’t regulated. Ask a holistic or integrative vet for guidance on sourcing                  and dosage for your dog or cat.  

• Glandulars: An in-depth discussion of glandulars is beyond the scope of this article, but think of them as “food” for the liver’s nutritional requirements, helping the body more readily facilitate repair. It’s crucial to work with a vet before giving your dog any glandular products.  

• Homotoxicology: This therapy is also very helpful. It involves using combinations of homeopathic formulations. I often use them intravenously, then send an oral form home with the client. Unfortunately, the FDA has made homotoxicology compounds unavailable in the US, so alternative veterinarians have to import them from England or Germany.   

When addressing liver disease in your animal companion, it’s important to consider both conventional and complementary options. Alternative treatments for liver disease in dogs and cats can provide meaningful support and help manage symptoms with fewer side effects.

Always consult with a holistic or integrative veterinarian to determine the safest and most effective plan for your dog or cat’s individual needs. With the right care, many animals can enjoy improved liver function and a better quality of life.

Special thanks to Marlene Seigel, DVM, for her research on silymarin and silybin.

Symptoms and diagnosis 

Symptoms of liver disease in dogs and cats include appetite loss, vomiting, yellowing of the eyes (icterus), and dark urine. Blood tests often show elevated liver enzymes. Ultrasound, biopsy, or advanced imaging can further clarify the diagnosis.

A note about ALT levels

An increased level of ALT (a major liver enzyme) indicates a problem, and veterinarians will pursue a diagnosis. 

However, conventional veterinarians often disregard a low ALT level. Holistic and integrative vets recognize that low ALT levels may signal reduced liver cells — due to chronic disease, fibrosis, or lipidosis — or impaired liver function. Both conditions require attention. 

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Silybin stimulates protein synthesis, which helps repair and regenerate liver tissue.

Vitamin C is an immune and energy booster, and a powerful antioxidant.

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