Many pet owners are aware of common canine health problems like ear infections, dental disease, and skin infections. When it comes to health issues not readily visible to the eye, however, internal conditions like liver disease can be a challenge to spot. Due to the liver’s critical role in overall pet health, it is important for pet owners to recognize the signs of liver disease to provide the best treatment and outcome for their four-legged family members. We’ll cover the symptoms, causes, and treatments of common liver diseases and ways you can prepare financially for costly health issues like liver disease.
Healthy Liver Functioning in Dogs
The liver in dogs performs many of the same functions as a human liver. Canine liver functions include the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins necessary for digestion, storage and distribution of vitamins and minerals, as well as the filtering and detoxification of harmful compounds in the body1. Healthy liver function is critical to a dog’s health and early treatment of any liver disorder is important for the dog’s continued longevity.
The Warning Signs of Liver Issues in Dogs
Fortunately, there are detectable symptoms of liver disease in dogs and pet owners can receive the proper treatment for their dog if they spot any of these warning signs.
Symptoms of liver disease in dogs include:
- Decreased appetite
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Lethargy or weakness
- Increased thirst
- Yellowing of the gums or the whites of the eyes
- Fluid retention in the abdomen
- Dark urine
Symptoms may vary depending on the disorder and the individual pet. While these symptoms can be indicators of liver disease, they may also be indicative of other pet health issues. For example, urinary tract infections, kidney disease, and diabetes all share increased thirst as a common clinical warning sign. If you notice any of the warning signs above, seek immediate veterinary care.
The Most Common Liver Disorders
Given the broad number of functions the liver helps support, there is a wide range of disorders that can affect the liver and its functions. Many of these disorders share similar symptoms, however, some do not. Thus, it’s always recommended that pet parents seek medical attention for their pets so an accurate diagnosis can be made.
Some of the most common liver issues in dogs include:
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- Liver cancer
- Benign liver tumors
- Hepatitis
- Fatty liver disease
- Leptospirosis
The Causes of Canine Liver Issues
The liver is the largest internal organ in both humans and dogs and is connected to an array of bodily functions. This means that when something is wrong with the liver, it can impact your pet’s overall health in several different ways.
Some of the most common causes of liver problems in dogs include:
1. Congenital Liver Disease
One of the most prevalent types of congenital liver disease is a portosystemic shunt. This occurs when a new pathway develops between a portal vein, which delivers blood to the liver, and another vein within the body, allowing blood to bypass or “shunt” around the liver. This causes major problems since the liver is unable to filter all of the pet’s blood. If your pet’s blood is not being properly filtered, toxins and other substances may not be adequately removed from the bloodstream.
Shunts are more likely to occur in older dogs which can present the following symptoms2:
- Excessive thirst
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Excess fluid in the pet’s abdomen
- Neurological symptoms that may appear and disappear over time
2. Infectious Liver Disease
This type of liver disease in dogs is brought on by viral, bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infections that make their way into your pup’s system. These infections can cause the liver to swell, hindering its ability to perform its normal functions2.
Some of the most common infectious liver diseases in dogs include:
- Canine hepatitis
- Leptospirosis
- Histoplasmosis
- Coccidioidomycosis
- Canine herpesvirus
- Tyzzer disease
3. Toxin-Induced Liver Disease
A main function of the liver is to filter toxins and breakdown medications for removal from the pet’s system. When toxic substances or certain medications are ingested, they can hinder this function and even harm the liver itself. Many canine medications are known to impact liver enzyme levels, including tetracycline, acetaminophen, and anabolic steroids. When a veterinarian prescribes medications, they will monitor your dog for any adverse side effects to these drugs.
Other common toxins that can negatively impact liver function include2:
- Rodent poisons
- Insecticides
- Fungicides
- Herbicides that are not pet safe
- Certain mushrooms
- Sago palm
- Blue-green algae
If your pup is prescribed a new medication, ingests medication accidentally, or comes into contact with any of the substances above seek veterinarian treatment immediately.
The Dangers of Liver Disease in Dogs
Typically, canine liver diseases are categorized as either chronic or acute. A chronic liver issue, while still concerning, develops over a longer period of time and can often be managed with consistent, proper care.
An acute condition develops rapidly and can have dangerous effects to your pet’s health. Acute liver failure can be caused by a sudden injury or an injury to a liver already displaying liver disease symptoms. The rapid onset of acute liver failure makes diagnosis and treatment a critical concern for reducing long term damage to your dog’s liver2.
The signs of liver failure in dogs include:
- Extremely high levels of liver enzymes
- Low blood sugar
- Ammonium urate crystals in the urine
- Bilirubin in the urine
- Abnormalities in blood platelets and coagulation (blood clotting) factors
- Aggression
- Excessive drooling
- Blindness
- Seizures
- Jaundice
Treatment for acute liver failure requires immediate veterinary care and may include IV fluids, medications for controlling liver function, antibiotics, and changes to your pet’s diet. Many of the symptoms of liver failure in dogs are only detectable via lab tests and other medical procedures. If you suspect your pet may be experiencing liver failure, it is imperative that you speak to a vet.
How to Protect Your Pet
One of the best ways to protect your pet from liver disease is to be proactive when it comes to their health. Pets Best Pet Insurance can help you pay for routine care exams with optional routine care coverage to help you pay for annual wellness exams. Dog insurance plans with customizable limits, deductibles, and reimbursement can also help you pay for the best treatment when it comes to accidents and illnesses including conditions like liver disease.
Terms and conditions apply, see policy for details
1Center, S. A. (2016, June). Overview of Hepatic Disease in Small Animals. Retrieved from Merck Veterinary Manual: https://www.merckvetmanual.com/digestive-system/hepatic-disease-in-small-animals/overview-of-hepatic-disease-in-small-animals
2Center, S. A. (2020, October). Disorders of the Liver and Gallbladder in Dogs. Retrieved from Merck Veterinary Manual: https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/digestive-disorders-of-dogs/disorders-of-the-liver-and-gallbladder-in-dogs