Dogs may develop fluid retention in the abdomen, commonly referred to as ascites. Your veterinarian can recommend diagnostic tests to evaluate your pet's liver function and determine the cause of the liver disease. Commonly recommended tests are blood tests, abdominal ultrasounds, x-rays, and urinalysis.
What tests are suggested for the diagnosis of liver disease? Generally, the following screening tests are recommended when liver disease is suspected in a pet: a complete blood count (CBC), a serum biochemical profile, and a urinalysis.
Liver disease in dogs prognosis
Chronic hepatitis cases can have an average survival rate of 2 to 3 years, depending on the severity of symptoms and how well the liver responds to treatment.
Some cases are reversible once the issue causing the problem is resolved. The liver is capable of regenerating itself and building new, healthy cells, but too much dead tissue causes scarring and cirrhosis. Many symptoms can be treated supportively with medications that support liver function.
Early and middle-stage liver disease in dogs can be managed with the right treatments, and your dog may still enjoy a good quality of life. When the disease has progressed to the third stage, and your dog's symptoms are no longer manageable, your veterinarian will likely suggest relieving suffering with euthanasia.
Chronic liver disease occurs gradually and can be caused by an ongoing health condition like cancer or diabetes. Acute liver failure comes on suddenly and requires immediate medical attention. Poisoning is one of the most common reasons for acute liver failure.
Liver disease is a non-painful condition, however dogs and cats can be nauseous, neurological or accumulate fluid in the abdomen, all of which require medication to control.
Causes of Liver Failure in Dogs
Acute liver failure is most often caused by infectious agents or toxins, poor flow of fluids into the liver and surrounding tissues (perfusion), hypoxia (inability to breathe), drugs or chemicals that are destructive to the liver (hepatotoxic), and excess exposure to heat.
Liver disease can lead to an unusually foul odor, which is distinctly different from the bad breath associated with periodontal disease. Dogs with liver disease usually present with other symptoms, such as vomiting, yellowing of the corneas and gum (jaundice), and a lack of appetite.
Treatment may include intravenous fluids, diet changes, antibiotics, and certain liver medications. Another goal of therapy is to prevent or treat neurologic complications of liver failure.
The average cost of an ultrasound for a dog ranges from about $350 to $1,000. Ultrasounds are commonly used to help vets see and diagnose swallowed foreign objects, intestinal blockages, tumors, muscle or ligament injuries, and heart problems.
Candy, gum, toothpaste, baked goods, and some diet foods are sweetened with xylitol. It can cause your dog's blood sugar to drop and can also cause liver failure.
Initial assessment may vary between $500 and $2,500, depending on the techniques elected for assessment. Meanwhile, ongoing intensive care may cost upwards of $1,000 a day or more if specialty care is elected.
Xylitol and paracetamol are commonly encountered substances which can cause liver toxicity in dogs. Some blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) and mushrooms produce compounds that damage the liver. Acute ingestion of some plants, particularly cycads, can cause liver failure in dogs.
The most common signs of liver disease in dogs include gastrointestinal problems, like vomiting and diarrhea, jaundice (when the skin, gums and whites of the eyes look yellow), malaise (a sense of generally feeling unwell and fatigued) and poor appetite.
Normal functioning of the liver does not seem to change significantly in dogs and cats as a result of age. Despite this, older dogs and cats are at greater risk for the development of liver disease.
Cirrhosis can occur in dogs of any age, but is most common in middle-aged or older dogs. Some breeds such as cocker spaniels, Doberman pinschers, and Labrador retrievers are more commonly affected by it.
Liver Disease: The liver has many different jobs including protein and hormone production, detoxifying the blood, and metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and drugs. As a result, if the liver is failing there are several different pathways that can lead to a dog urinating excessively and drinking excessively.
Abnormal liver enzyme levels can usually be detected in blood tests. In isolated cases it may be possible to surgical remove then affected lobe, however this is difficult. The prognosis in most cases is poor, deterioration is rapid once clinical signs develop and death usually results within 3-4 months.
Clinical signs, including anorexia and lethargy, are typically noted within 5 to 10 days after treatment, and mortality rates may be as high as 90%.
Most people who develop hepatic encephalopathy will survive for around 12 months. As patients with end-stage liver disease come closer to death, the risk of developing this complication may increase. Hepatic encephalopathy can cause a range of symptoms, such as: sleep disturbances.
When liver damage progresses to an advanced stage, fluid collects in the legs, called edema, and in the abdomen, called ascites. Ascites can lead to bacterial peritonitis, a serious infection. When the liver slows or stops producing the proteins needed for blood clotting, a person will bruise or bleed easily.
Pets with hepatic disease need carefully regulated portions of high quality and highly digestible carbohydrates. White rice, potatoes, and vegetables are good source of simple and complex carbohydrates for pets with liver diseases. Simple carbohydrates are easily digested and absorbed.