A healthy liver runs a healthy body, but the liver can be struck with a variety of maladies, including bacterial and viral infections. Diagnosing and treating liver problems can be difficult, and sometimes symptoms do not occur until a disorder is advanced. However, the liver is usually able to regenerate itself, and once an infection or disease is treated, there is a good chance the dog can completely recover.
-
Symptoms
-
Lethargy is only one symptom of liver infection or disease. A number of symptoms can signal a liver infection or disease: lethargy; a swollen abdomen that appears to be filled with fluid; loss of appetite and vomiting; a pale gray stool; jaundice; orange-colored urine; pain in the abdomen; noticeable weight loss; increased thirst and urination; seizures; and aimless pacing.
Treatment
-
When some symptoms combine, such as increased thirst, more frequent urination, weight loss and lack of appetite, veterinarians recommend blood tests to check for liver function. The nature of the infection or disease must be determined before treatment is prescribed. For example, while prednisone can increase a dog's appetite and knock down an infection, it can aggravate certain liver problems. Low-protein diets can be beneficial so the liver does not have to work as hard. Some vitamin supplements can help, such as B12 and vitamin K, which are key to liver function. Vitamin C is sometimes recommended because of its antioxidant properties.
Treating Microvascular Dysplasia
-
Microvascular dysplasia is a liver malady in which blood from both the veins and arteries mix in the liver. It tends to strike smaller dog breeds. Symptoms can include seizures, gastrointestinal problems and crystals in the urine. Veterinarians will sometimes conduct a liver biopsy before making a diagnosis. Special diets aimed at reducing a dog's protein intake can be prescribed. These foods can be purchased from a veterinarian or through some pet supply outlets. Antibiotics are sometimes prescribed.
Other Considerations
-
Elevated liver enzymes, detected through blood tests, can signal problems and help determine treatments. Ursodiol, available through a veterinarian prescription, is a concentration of a naturally occurring beneficial bile acid. Another common prescription is SAM-e, or S-adenosylmethionine, which is used to repair and maintain the liver. Milk thistle is a holistic remedy that appears to protect liver cells and boost healing. Milk thistle is considered an antioxidant, and the dosing has to be monitored, based on the dog's weight.
Ultrasounds
-
Ultrasounds are sometimes used to find tumors in the liver, as well as discover shunts, gall bladder stones and other obstructions, such as blood clots. The exams can be coupled with liver biopsies, which can determine the type of tumor, can discover hepatitis and can key in on additional problems. Ultrasounds are not invasive like exploratory surgeries and can even reveal bacterial infections in the liver.
Other Infections
-
Infectious hepatitis can be transferred from dog to dog, usually resulting in a passing bout of lethargy and diarrhea. However, it can develop into a full-blown case that requires veterinary treatment. Another liver malady is canine acidophil hepatitis, which can last years. Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection first noted in wildlife but passed to pets and people via contaminated water. In addition, parasites can infect the liver, and diagnosis is based on the dog's symptoms.
-