How to Support a Healthy Gallbladder in Pets

The gallbladder is an important organ in every mammalian body. Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we look at pet health from a holistic perspective; thus meaning we take into consideration the ‘full picture’. We look at individual organ health as part of this holistic approach, so this blog post focusses on the Gallbladder, and how we can support it for optimum health. We will discuss what the gallbladder does, common problems we see in clinic related to poor gallbladder health, and what we can do to support it.

The Gallbladder

The gallbladder is one of the smallest organs in the body. With it’s pear-shaped appearance, it can be found tucked just underneath the liver, nestled between two of the liver’s lobes. In dogs, the gallbladder sits between the right medial lobe, and the quadrate lobe (the slight depression in which it sits, is known as a ‘fossa’), whereas in cats it is located between two parts of the right medial lobe. A healthy gallbladder has a thin and smooth wall.

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The digestive system requires this extremely important organ to be able to function correctly. The liver produces bile; a yellowish alkaline substance which aids the neutralisation of the acidic contents of a stomach after eating, in order to protect the lining of the small intestine. Bile is essential in the break down of fats in the small intestine, and also helps the body absorb nutrients. Once produced by the liver, bile has to be stored somewhere; this is where the gallbladder steps in! Bile is concentrated by, and stored in the gallbladder.

When fats, oils and protein enter the small intestine, a hormone called Cholecystokinin is released, which triggers contraction of the gallbladder, which subsequently releases bile into the small intestine to aid digestion.

Common Gallbladder Problems

We see pets with varying degrees of gallbladder problems from time to time, which can have an enormous impact on digestive health, and therefore on general health and wellbeing.

One of the major signs of an issue with the gallbladder, is jaundice. The clinical presentation of jaundice is yellowing to the skin and whites of the eyes. This can be tricky to spot in our furry pets, so regularly parting the fur to check skin colour, checking gums and insides of lips, and checking eye colour is recommended as a part of your standard husbandry regime.

If you or your veterinarian suspect a gallbladder problem in your pet, they will most likely take a blood sample to run a full blood panel to check the relevant substance levels such as neutrophils and albumin. An ultrasound scan is commonly used in diagnostic testing for suspected gallbladder disease, and cytology and cultures can be run using bile aspirate samples.

Biliary Sludge: this is a disease whereby a substance with sludge-like consistency forms in the gallbladder. Older pets are at higher risk of biliary sludge, and the number of pets being diagnosed with it is on the rise, largely down to advancements in ultrasonography. Little is understood on the cause of biliary sludge, but it is typically treated with a low fat diet, and some hormone regulatory drugs such as SAMe, or bile therapy drugs such as ursodeoxycholic acid. In rare occasions where the gallbladder is completely full or blocked, a surgery called a Cholecystectomy is often required, which involves removal of the gallbladder.

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Hypoalbuminemia: this condition is diagnosed when the detected levels of albumin, a protein made by the liver and makes up around half of a healthy pet’s blood plasma, are abnormally low. In both pets and humans, hypoalbuminemia leads to the thickening of the gallbladder wall. A thickening of the wall leaves the pet vulnerable to further gallbladder disease. There are many causes of low blood albumin levels, so in order to treat it your veterinarian will perform tests necessary to diagnose the underlying cause, and will treat the resulting diagnosis.

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Hepatobiliary Disease: there are numerous conditions that fit under the ‘umbrella’ of Hepatobiliary Disease; these are conditions that effect the liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts; collectively known as the ‘biliary system’. Hepatobiliary Diseases can be caused by viral, fungal and bacterial infections causing liver inflammation, toxin exposure to the liver (including some medications), genetic predisposition, diabetes, cancer, trauma to the liver, and metabolic disorder. Symptoms range from jaundice to lethargy, vomiting and diarrhoea, frequent urination (polyuria) and drinking (polydipsia), abdominal pain, and seizures depending on the underlying condition. Bile acid concentrations over 25-30 umol/L in dogs, and over 25 umol/L in cats is indicative of Hepatobiliary Disease.

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Cholecystitis: usually caused by bacterial infection, cholecystitis presents as inflammation of the gallbladder. There are two pathways of entry for bacteria into the gallbladder; via the bile ducts from the liver, or directly via the bloodstream. Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder) isn’t always as a result of bacterial infection. Sometimes it is caused by trauma to the area, as a result of gallstones/blocked duct, or due to a tumour. From a pet with cholecystitis you can expect lethargy, jaundice, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhoea, increased thirst and urination, abdominal pain (adopting the ‘downward dog’ position in dogs, reduced willingness to move and a hunched over position in cats), weak but fast pulse, and pale gums. Diagnosis includes blood testing to show how the gallbladder is functioning, and check for infection markers. X-rays or ultrasound will also be carried out to show any inflammation, and a bile analysis may be carried out. Treatment for this condition may be partly carried out at home, and partly at the vet. The vet may admit your pet to undergo IV fluid treatment to increase electrolytes, and may also carry out a cholecystectomy (removal of the gallbladder) in more severe cases, where infection has caused necrosis. Treatment at home may include a Vitamin K1 supplement, antibiotics, and pain medication. If you suspect this in your pet, contact your veterinarian immediately, as early diagnosis is essential.

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Gallstones: the medical term for gallstones is ‘Cholelithiasis. While not seen very often, gallstones can cause some serious health conditions due to potential to block the bile ducts and cause gallbladder inflammation. Gallstones are named so, as they present as small hardenings of bile components, resembling stones. These usually form as a result of  an underlying disease including Hepatobiliary Disease, or even endocrine diseases like diabetes. Conditions affecting the flow of bile can also cause gallstones as the bile is unable to move through the duct, increasing it’s concentration. There are also dietary contributing factors to gallstones – typically those fed processed diets, or diets with grains are at higher risk of gallstone formation. Rapid weight loss, nausea, jaundice, abdominal pain and high temperature are all symptoms, however not all individuals show symptoms at all! Imaging such as X-rays or ultrasound are often performed, alongside blood tests and bile analysis in order to diagnose gallstones. A change in diet to a low fat, high protein diet will often be recommended, as well as bile thinning medications, antibiotics, and in severe cases, an IV Fluid drip will be suggested for those suffering this condition. Very few cases require surgery but when surgery is required, it will be bile duct surgery, or cholecystectomy.

Read more about Gallstones here!

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Mucocele: Gallbladder mucocele occurs when excessive secretion of mucin occurs from the lining of the gallbladder, causing a blocked gallbladder-liver duct, and in severe cases, consequent gallbladder rupture and necrosis. The reason for the formation of mucocele in pets is not well understood, but the mortality rate is high. Cholecystectomy is performed as a treatment.

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Support for the Gallbladder

Now we have discussed what the gallbladder does, and the issues many pet owners face with their pet’s gallbladder, let’s take a look at how we can support and promote good health in this important organ. The full picture of health has many approaches, whether dietary, supplemental or lifestyle related; these pathways to health all work fantastically together for the best results!

Diet is an important part of your pet’s health to focus on when is comes to keeping the gallbladder healthy. Let’s look at some tweaks you could look to make in your pet’s diet!

• Feed fresh: as with any condition or organ support, here at My Pet Nutritionist, we advocate a fresh diet, whether that’s raw or cooked. Fresh food is not only higher in moisture, but it’s also much easier to tweak the formulation to support a specific problem, for example, it is easier to control the fat content in a fresh food than in a kibble, and unlike dry food, it is not sprayed with fats and oils for palatability which further increases the fat content of a food. Fresh food being high in moisture means it benefits gut motility and digestion, making it a great choice for gallbladder support.
• Low fat: as the gallbladder primarily aids digestion of fats, so as not to ‘over work’ the organ, feeding low fat is important. Those with a history of gallstones or any other gallbladder problem will benefit from feeding a low fat diet to reduce the risk of calcified lumps forming in the ducts and gallbladder itself.

You can find our range of low fat recipes here:

• Meat based: feeding a meat based food is important, not only because our cats are obligate carnivores, and our dogs are facultative carnivores, but because gallbladder issues can be caused by nutritional deficiencies! Feeding meat is incredibly important for it’s nutritional value; lean meats like chicken, turkey, fish and venison are great options. If we look at appropriate foods for gallbladder health from a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, it’s said that blood tonifying foods are essential for gallbladder support – meat is classed as a blood tonifying food in TCM.

Supplements and specific food items can be very beneficial when it comes to supporting individual organ health. Supplements should only be given with purpose – so select them carefully! Here’s some gallbladder friendly supplements: Dandelion: this herb is an excellent digestive aid as it stimulates the production of gastric juices, in turn reducing the risk of gallbladder problems. Dandelion is also has anti-inflammatory properties which is ideal for gallbladder health, especially in those suffering with gallstones or any other inflammatory disease. Dandelion roots are also beneficial for the liver as it encourages an increase in circulation in the liver, and therefore more bile production.

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Burdock Root: burdock has great antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which are beneficial to the digestive system, and helps to reduce gallbladder inflammation. It is also high in inulin, a dietary fibre, to help aid gut motility.

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Artichoke: as with the previous two plants, artichoke also has anti-inflammatory properties, which aids digestive health and gut motility.

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Chia Seeds: these tiny powerhouses come with masses of health benefits! They’re high in antioxidants, high in fibre, and contain omega 3. The fibre content aids digestive health, the antioxidant and omega 3 content reduces inflammation in the gallbladder.

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Probiotics: another digestive aid. Probiotics are essential for a well-functioning gut – a well-functioning gut, makes for healthy digestion, and healthy digestion means a reduction in the risk of gallbladder diseases. Our Gut Guardian Supplement is ideal for pets wanting to improve their digestive health!

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Milk Thistle: this handy herb contains a specific antioxidant compound called Silymarin which is excellent for cell health in the liver and gallbladder, in turn increasing bile production. Milk thistle is often very effective in those with biliary sludge.

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Green Tea: your pet may benefit from enjoying a little of the trendy drink, matcha! Green tea, especially matcha, is incredibly high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, which aids digestion and reduces the risk of gallstones.

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Turmeric: this popular root is something to be considered, but used with caution I those with gallbladder issues. With it’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, it can aid bile production, however it can have a negative effect on those with gallstones or any condition which causes an obstruction to the bile ducts.

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Vitamins B, E and K: these are the three most used vitamins by the liver and gallbladder. Vitamin K improves bile production. If bile production reduces with a deficiency in Vitamin K, other fat soluble vitamins won’t be used. Vitamin E plays a role in the oxidation of cholesterol, meaning these cholesterol filled lumps won’t form in the gallbladder. Vitamin C is known for it’s antioxidant properties.

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L-Glutamine: when the diet is supplemented with L-Glutamine, fluid transport through the bile ducts and into the gallbladder can be improved, meaning gallstones may be of lower risk in these individuals. Those with existing chronic liver problems should avoid this supplement, as studies suggest a worsening in liver dysfunction due to metabolism into ammonia being too much for an already damaged liver.

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Lifestyle changes may be considered to aid gallbladder health. This includes looking at the following changes:

• Vaccinating minimally: over-vaccination is a huge risk to health in general, including that of the liver, and consequently the gallbladder. When administered, toxins from the adjuvants in the vaccination affect liver health as the liver filters toxins from the blood. When the liver is exposed to toxins such as these, hepatobiliary diseases can occur, which has an impact of gallbladder health. If you haven’t yet, it is very worth looking into vaccinosis, and the effect over-vaccination has on your pet’s health! You can read more about it here.
• Eliminating the use of flea and tick products: much the same as over-vaccination, flea and tick products contain huge amounts of toxins. These toxins enter the bloodstream, and are then filtered out by the liver which puts it at risk of hepatobiliary diseases. These treatments also have an impact on the gut, wiping it of important microbiota, hence we recommend probiotics to help digestion, and reduce the risk of some gallbladder issues. You can read about flea and tick treatments here.
• Reducing environmental toxins in the home: the world around us is very toxic – reducing exposure to additional toxins in the home and garden which we can control can massively reduce the toxic load your dog or cat faces on a regular basis. When in contact with your pet’s skin, these toxins can affect the digestive system, of which the gallbladder is part. Switching your cleaning, laundry and gardening products to those with fewer chemicals can benefit overall health. Learn more about environmental toxins in the home here.

Having read this blog, are you planning on making any small changes to your pet’s diet or lifestyle? We hope you have greater knowledge of all things gallbladder health and are able to help better that of your pet. If you are unsure, or would like further help in aiding gallbladder health, or have any other health worries for your pet, you may benefit from one of our 1-2-1 consultation packages, which you can book here!



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