The Liver, your pets guardian organ – Advice from our in-house Vet Dr Barbara Fougere

Our In-House Vet Dr Barbara Fougere BSc BVMS (Hons) MODT MHSc (Herb Med) BHSc (Comp Med) Grad Dip Herb Med, Grad Dip VCHM, Grad Dip VWHM, Grad Dip VA gives advice on Liver Care. Your pet’s liver is the guardian organ of the body. Everyday its role is to remove toxins from food, water, flea products, medications and pollution. The liver filters the blood and converts toxins to enable the body to get rid of them. It’s a constant process and the liver generally does a really good job. However, under constant pressure, or exposure to a high amount of toxins, the liver can become overwhelmed. An unhealthy liver can be hard to detect without blood tests, but signs of liver stress include: Appetite changes Inconsistent stools or constipation or bloating and gas Bad breath Lethargy Yellowing of eyes and gums Dark urine Weight loss Skin infections Irritability All of these can be mistaken for aging and only one or two of these signs might show. Keeping up with regular veterinary appointments is important and one of the reasons why your vet might recommend a blood test even when nothing seems wrong. Liver changes show up on blood work sometimes before you see actual signs. Supporting liver health involves being aware of what toxins your pet is exposed to in the environment and minimising those. Perfumed air sprays, scented candles, car exhaust fumes, herbicides in the garden and chemical cleaning agents in the house are just some of the threats. Dry pet foods can be a source of mould toxins, invisible to the eye but consumed on a daily basis. Studies show they occur in many pet foods. Even fresh foods can be contaminated with herbicides and pesticides. What else can you do to minimise the risk and optimise liver health? One thing to do is to consider using a liver support supplement such as Broad reach Nature Liver Care Advanced. It contains several nutrients that support liver health safely and one of the main ingredients is Milk thistle. Milk thistle is a herb with an affinity for the liver but also supports kidney, brain and digestive health. It is a powerful antioxidant and can help protect the liver from stress and damage. Its particularly useful to use on an ongoing basis if there is constant exposure to toxins or to medications and topical products. However some people also use the supplement twice a year to give the liver a health boost. Whichever way you use it, Advanced Liver Care is one of the most concentrated Milk Thistle extracts available. Its easy to give, palatable , safe and effective. Helping your pets liver do its job to guard the body against toxins and to support overall health.