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Written by Crystal Moore | Last updated 20/08/24
Has your dog been diagnosed with a liver problem? The liver is an important organ in your dog's body, and your concern is understandable, even if they haven't been diagnosed. Did you know that your furry friend's liver aids in several bodily processes, including digestion, metabolism, detoxification, and blood clotting? With its importance, it's unfortunately no surprise that it can significantly affect a dog's overall health and well-being.
In this blog you will understand all the causes, signs, and treatments for liver problems in dogs. With this information, you can ensure that you're equipped with the knowledge to help your four-legged friend in the best way possible.
Unfortunately, liver problems in dogs aren't caused by one singular factor. There is a list of causes, some less severe and others much more serious which is why liver problems can be unpredictable. As scary as that sounds, the liver can repair itself by replacing damaged cells with new cells. However, your pup's liver repairing capabilities are dependent on how much the liver problem has progressed in severity and duration.
Hepatitis is the inflammation of a dog's liver. Early signs of hepatitis range from both mild to severe. If a dog is left untreated, serious health conditions such as chronic liver disease and even liver failure can arise. Acute hepatitis can be triggered by viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections, specific medications, and toxins. Moreover, hepatitis can also be caused by immune system issues or be secondary to another disease. For dogs with chronic inflammation, this can slowly lead to the degeneration of liver cells and scarring (cirrhosis).
If a dog ingests certain toxins like plants, drugs, chemicals, mouldy food or household products, it can damage a dog's liver. Consumption of foods that are toxic to a dog, such as chocolate, onion, garlic and grapes can be deadly in the worst cases.
Cancers that originate in the liver, such as hepatocellular carcinoma, can have severe effects on your dog's liver. The liver can also be affected by secondary cancers from other parts of the body that spread to the liver. Furthermore, a dog can have benign liver tumours that may cause damage or dysfunction to the liver due to physical obstruction or compression to parts of the dog's liver.
Although less common, immune-mediated hepatitis can cause a dog's immune system to attack the liver cells. Autoimmune diseases are often chronic, leading to inflammation and fibrosis. Immune-mediated hepatitis can progress to liver disease and liver failure in dogs.
There are certain medications that can damage a dog's liver with short-term use and especially with prolonged use. These include NSAIDs and corticosteroids. There are even antibiotics for dogs that can cause stress or damage to the liver. Always speak and get advice from your vet about the possible side effects of any medication prescribed to your dog.
Sepsis is a severe and widespread infection that can cause liver inflammation and dysfunction in dogs. Due to the body's inflammatory response, the liver can struggle to process the toxins released. If sepsis is left untreated, it can result in liver failure.
Blunt force trauma and surgical trauma to the liver can cause damage and may lead to internals bleeding that can impair a dog's liver function.
Heatstroke in itself is serious and life-threatening condition. In some cases, heatstroke can cause liver problems in dogs and due to the excessive exposure to heat, the dehydration and low blood pressure may result in damage to the liver. Moreover, heatstroke can result in hypoxia which can lead to liver cell death. Heatstroke can easily be prevented however, if you do see any signs of heatstroke in your dog, it is vital to see a vet as soon as possible.
There are certain breeds that are more prone to liver problems than others. Breeds such as Bedlington Terriers, Standard Poodles and Golden Retrievers are a few breed examples that are known to be more susceptible to liver problems. Additionally, there are inherited conditions such as portosystemic shunts and genetic predispositions that can have an effect on a dog's liver.
It's important to ensure your dog has a healthy and balanced diet since a poor diet that lacks essential nutrients can strain a dog's liver. Furthermore, overconsumption of fat can overwhelm a dog's liver to process and store fats properly. Fatty liver disease (hepatic lipidosis) can occur due to dog obesitiy. Fatty liver disease can cause liver problems for the dog as it impairs the functionality of the liver.
The symptoms of liver problems in dogs can vary. These symptoms aren't all hard to spot however, some of these symptoms can be harder to spot or overlap with symptoms of other illnesses or conditions, meaning it is harder to determine straight away what may be wrong with your dog. With that, it is always crucial to visit your vet so that they can run tests to accurately diagnose your dog.
Lethargy and weakness
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Increased thirst and urination
Vomiting and diarrhoea
Change in behaviour
Confusion
Jaundice
Seizures
Blood in their pee or poo
Abnormal pain and swelling
If you start to notice, or have already noticed any signs, symptoms, or changes in your dog, it's always advised to contact and visit your vet as quickly as possible. They will be able to thoroughly examine your dog and run numerous tests if necessary. These can be blood and urine tests, ultrasounds, X-rays and more. If your vet finds there to be something wrong with your dog, such as a liver problem, they can start treatment. Depending on various factors, having your dog diagnosed with an issue as early as possible can prevent any illness or condition from worsening.
If your dog is diagnosed with a liver problem, the treatment can vary depending on the cause and severity of the liver problem. After your vet has assessed your dog, they will most likely do one of the following:
Once a dog is diagnosed with a liver problem, one of the most common changes will be to their diet. Dogs with liver problems will require high-quality carbohydrates, moderate protein, all whilst being low in copper to prevent further damage to the liver. With that being said, the dietary requirements can vary on the specific and severity of the liver condition. For example, the protein levels can differ from dog to dog.
These specialised diets contain ingredients and nutrients that are easily digestible. The aim of changing a dog's diet over to something that is easily digestible is to help reduce the workload on their liver. When the stress on the liver drops, this allows for more nutrients to be absorbed. Similarly, these diets will include additional vitamins and minerals that can help a dog's liver to a heal. Moreover, depending on the liver's ability to process fats, the fat content in the diet will most likely be controlled.
Another treatment option a vet may recommend is supplements that can help with a dog's liver. Supplements such as Silibinin (silymarin) and S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) are 2 of the most commonly recommended by vets. These supplements can support the liver function and health, and help to reduce inflammation and damage to the dog's liver. Some dogs that are diagnosed with a liver problem may only be required to take the supplement for a short period of time, whilst other dogs may need to stay on these supplements for the rest of their lives.
Similarly, supplements such as Omega-3 fatty acids that are found in fish oils or supplements containing Vitamin E may also be recommended. However, these supplements are supportive in helping to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. These do not directly treat liver disease in dogs.
Antibiotics may be prescribed to a dog by the vet to treat specific infections such as bacterial infections that may be affecting the liver. The duration of the antibiotics and dosage will be determined by the vet as it can differ depending on the type and severity of the liver problem.
The vet may recommend surgery as the best treatment for a dog's liver problem in cases where there is a tumour or mass that is causing an obstruction. Furthermore, Surgical correction may be needed for abnormal blood vessels that divert blood around a dog's liver. In other cases, the vet may request a liver biopsy so that they can determine the extent of the liver damage.
In instances where the dog is dehydrated due to heatstroke, vomiting or diarrhoea, fluid therapy may be administered in order to maintain the dog's fluid balance. Fluid therapy can also help correct the electrolyte imbalances which can occur with liver disease.
Liver problems in dogs can often be prevented by maintaining a high-quality and balanced diet, avoiding toxic foods, plants and other environmental toxins the best you can, ensuring your dog is up-to-date with all their vaccinations and keeping track of your dog's weight.
Nevertheless, it is important to note that although liver problems can often be prevented, some liver problems in dogs, such as primary liver cancers or secondary cancers, can not be prevented. On the brighter side, being aware of the symptoms of liver problems, you're more likely to spot the signs early and get your dog checked and treated with the vet as early as possible.
If a senior dog is diagnosed with a liver problem, their lifespan can widely depend on the severity of the liver problem, the cause, the effectiveness of the treatment and whether they have any other existing health issues. With the assessment and treatment in place from your vet, they may be able to give you an estimate.
Depending on the cause, liver failure can be either slow or rapid. Acute liver failure can develop quickly over a matter of days to weeks, whereas, chronic liver failure often progresses more slowly over months or years.
Dogs with liver problems may experience discomfort or pain. Signs a dog is in pain can be changes in their behaviour, signs of distress, changes in their eating and drinking habits, and more. Contact your vet immediately if you see any of these signs.
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