Liver disease in dogs
The liver is an amazing organ with more than 500 vital bodily functions. It is an integral part of energy metabolism, aids in digestion, regulates blood clotting, clears the blood of medications or other substances, makes immune factors, produces proteins, and stores products and blood for future use. The liver is the only organ that can regenerate itself and replace damaged tissue with new cells.
Causes of liver disease include infections, ageing, genetic factors, toxins, medication side-effects, inflammation, gallbladder disease, immune-mediated or metabolic disorders and cancer. Most liver disease is acquired over time, but certain dog breeds are at risk for congenital disorders.
What are common liver disease signs in dogs?
Early signs include:
- Decreased appetite
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
Intermediate to advanced signs include:
- Weight loss
- Increased drinking and urination
- Yellow gums
- Distended abdomen
- Seizures or disorientation
How is liver disease managed in dogs?
The primary cause of liver disease should first be identified and treated, with the overall goal of making it easier for the liver to regenerate new cells. This can include prescription diets, medications to cleanse the liver, supplements to protect cells from damage and possibly steroids or antibiotics.
Severe liver disease may require hospitalisation or surgery. Dogs with liver disease need regular veterinary visits and diagnostic monitoring. Discussing a personalised management plan with your veterinarian and an internal medicine specialist is important for the best outcome for your dog.
What is the prognosis for dogs with liver disease?
The prognosis depends on the successful treatment of the disease’s primary cause. Mild disease that is caught early and treated appropriately has a good prognosis, while longer-term liver damage can result in fibrous scarring (cirrhosis), which prevents the formation of new liver cells. Diseases such as liver cancer carry a poorer prognosis.
Management tips for dogs with liver disease
At-home needs include:
- Easy access to food and water, and a comfortable location
- Consistency with prescribed medications or supplements
- Strict adherence to a prescription diet
- Monitoring for changes in gum color, appetite, energy, drinking, urination, or defecation
For end-of-life care:
- Try to keep your dog safe and comfortable
- Ensure adequate nutrition and hydration
- Monitor for pain or discomfort
- Evaluate your dog's quality of life with our scoring tool, here
In a crisis:
Immediately contact your vet if your dog has uncontrollable vomiting or diarrhea, yellow gums, a distended abdomen, disorientation, or seizures; collapses; or vocalises in pain.
It is vital to begin end-of-life care discussions before your dog‘s condition becomes unmanageable or they begin losing their quality of life.
Don’t wait until the very end. It’s important to consider your pet’s end-of-life journey early, so that you, your family and your pet are all supported through the process.
When the time comes, we’re here for you. Goodbye Good Boy provides a range of end-of-life services to make the difficult process of saying goodbye a little easier.
We offer quality of life assessments from qualified vets, specialist grief counselling, at home euthanasia from dedicated end of life veterinarians, as well as cremation services and memorial options to help remember your pet for their unique character.
We are with you at every step of the journey.
To find out more, you can call our team of passionate pet lovers on 1800 953 619.
This article was reproduced with permission from Goodbye Good Boy advisor Dr Dani McVety, of Lap Of Love.