Diet issue

Question
Hello. My dog was prescribed your k/d canned food due to suspicion of a liver shunt condition.  This was due to a severe and almost deadly reaction to poisoning by an anti-inflammatory she was given after MPL surgery.  Turns out she does not have a liver shunt, although she does have a degree of microvascular dysplasia.  The surgeon feels she should stay on the k/d diet, although I'm unclear about why, since the issue is my dog's liver not her kidneys.  She was given the l/d canned food as a trial only because I was having trouble getting her to eat at first.  When I asked if she should be on the k/d or l/d now, they said keep her on the k/d.  Again, I'm not clear why.  Any input would be very helpful.  Thanks!

Answer
Whether it is k/d or l/d, it is a low protein diet.  The liver gets rid of excess dietary proteins by making urea and ammonia.  If the production of these is decreased by feeding lower protein, then the metabolic effects of ammonia on the  brain is lessened.  With normal kidneys, the urea will be excreted in the urine. There is a condition called hepatic encephalopathy that is caused by the ammonia.