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Bile
Feb 22, 2013 11:30:51 GMT 10
Post by Dj on Feb 22, 2013 11:30:51 GMT 10
Hi Tom, I would like your opinion on biling a dog. Should this be done on a regular basis thanks
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Bile
Feb 22, 2013 20:28:03 GMT 10
Post by Tom Meulman on Feb 22, 2013 20:28:03 GMT 10
Published: NZ GREYHOUND, November 2003 Contributed by Dr. Gavin Goble, B.V.Sc. MRCVS
Biling-out is a controversial procedure that involves making a greyhound repeatedly vomit to remove excess build-up of bile from its digestive system. It has traditionally (and often misguidedly) been used for dogs that have a frothy build-up in the throat, and who foam at the mouth after running. Occasionally these dogs cough and may attempt to vomit, usually by eating grass.
They in severe cases have a poor appetite (probably due to nausea) and poor racing performance. All these symptoms are attributed to a build-up of bile, which is supposedly removed during biling-out. However the frothiness in the throat in fact has nothing to do with bile at all, but can be caused by an increase of mucous in the airways. The vomiting during the biling-out does however help to clear the lungs of this mucous.
WHAT IS BILE? Bile is produced in the liver and stored in the gall bladder, which is attached to the liver. Bile is released into the small intestine in response to fat entering the stomach, and is designed to help break down dietary fat. After breaking the fats down, most of the bile is then resorbed back into the circulation and recycled by the liver and gall bladder.
In many racing greyhounds on a low fat diet (which is common in greyhounds), there can be an excess build-up of bile in the gall bladder and liver. This bile tends to dehydrate and become very thick, clogging-up the gall bladder and liver. Some bilirubin from the bile then “leaks” into the blood stream and is excreted into the urine. It is this “clogging-up” of the liver and gall bladder as well as the irritation of the urinary system by high levels of bilirubin that is thought to cause the ill effects.
BILING-OUT This procedure causes the gall bladder to contract, releasing the excess bile into the start of the small intestine, whereby the dog is made to vomit repeatedly, and most of the bile is vomited up. The procedure usually involves a fatty drink (such as 250-500ml warm homogenised milk with one egg yolk and two teaspoons of butter/margarine) followed exactly five minutes later by an injection of one apomorphine tablet dissolved in two ml of sterile water and injected under the skin of the neck to induce vomiting. No food is given for 4 - 6 hours afterwards, and the dog is rested for 2 - 3 days.
Biling-out should not be performed within 48 hours of a run.
SUMMARY I believe that biling-out has its place in some cases, but it is most often performed by trainers unnecessarily. Most greyhounds that are proven to need biling-out (with urine tests) will respond favourably to the procedure, but generally other changes in the management of the dog (especially diet) will also be necessary. My recommendation is therefore only to bile-out dogs that are proven to need it, and this is shown by a dog showing a marked reduction in racing performance as well as excess bilirubin (bile) in the urine( shown on dipstick).
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