Study Concerning the Efficacy of Some Phytotherapeutic Products in Hepatobiliary Diseases in Dogs

Abstract

Untreated correctly and in time, hepatobiliary diseases, with extremely complex and intricate etiology and pathogenesis, can lead to chronic and degenerative lesions. In this context, antihepatotoxic action of active substances from plants can be used to reduce these processes. The purpose of this study was to observe the efficacy of some plant-derived products with liver-protecting action used in the treatment of hepatobiliary diseases in dogs. Thus, there were performed clinical, echographical and biochemical investigations upon 15 dogs of different breeds and ages, which presented clinical signs specific to hepatobiliary disorders (Codreanu and Diaconescu, 2003). The main modality to investigate liver function was the biochemical exam of blood, which was performed at the beginning of treatment (Dial, 1995; Kramer and Hoffman, 1997). The used phytotherapeutic commercial products were Liv 52, Silimarina and Farcovit B12. These products were administered in doses of 1-2 tablets/10 kg b.w. for different periods of time (30-91 days), until the disappearance of clinical signs; at that time, there were repeated biochemical and echographic exams. The main biochemical parameters that were studied were: GPT (ALT), GOT (AST), GGT, alkaline phosphatase (AP), cholesterol and triglycerides.