Everything You Need To Know About Dog Liver Disease
The liver is vitally important. It is involved in virtually every biochemical process in your dog’s body. Therefore, liver disease in dogs is a serious medical condition. You may be wondering what exactly causes dog liver disease.
Causes
There are many different causes of liver disease in canines. Blunt trauma to the liver can certainly lead to disease. A common example is if your dog is hit by a car. Viral, fungal, or bacterial infections can also cause liver disease. A severe heartworm infestation can block bloodflow to the liver. You may be wondering what should you be on the lookout for.
Symptoms
As you have already learned, virtually every biochemical process involves the liver. Liver disease can lead to problems with others areas of your dog’s body. This is why liver disease in canines causes such unspecific symptoms. Fortunately, the liver has a lot of reserve capacity, so it can function with up to 80 percent damage. Unfortunately, this means signs don’t appear until the disease has already advanced.
Dogs with liver disease suffer abdominal pain recurrently. Various gastrointestinal signs are also common. They include vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. Another common sign of liver disease is constipation in dogs. Your dog’s stool may turn gray if the liver stops processing bile properly. Other dogs also suffer from weight loss, increased drinking and urination, and jaundice.
Diagnosis
Your dog will need to undergo a urinalysis, chemistry screen, and complete blood count. The veterinarian will also take an x-ray of your dog’s abdomen. This will show any change in liver size, as well as abnormalities in circulation and mineralization. An ultrasound is also useful in checking for this disease. For the most definitive diagnosis, a biopsy needs to be taken of the liver. This involves removing a piece of the organ surgically or with a biopsy needle. A biopsy won’t cause future problems since the liver can regenerate.
Treatment
Treatment of liver disease in dogs depends on the level of damage and the underlying cause. Since toxic substances can cause damage to the organ, they will need to be removed. It is also important to place your dog on a special diet. Hopefully, the diet will allow the liver to rest by decreasing its workload. Antibiotics may also need to be given to prevent secondary infections.
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