The liver produces proteins for blood plasma and cholesterol, and absorbs poisonous substances from the blood. This complex organ also takes up glucose not immediately required by the body's cells, stores it as glycogen and reconverts it back to glucose when the body needs additional energy and heat. As such, liver disease can be life-threatening, and is among the top causes of death in dogs.
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Chronic Hepatitis
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Chronic hepatitis is a common liver disease, which is marked by liver inflammation leading to progressive liver cell damage. When the scar tissue overtakes healthy tissue, the liver begins to fail. Drug toxicity and infections are two main causes of chronic hepatitis in dogs. Early treatment can make a difference in managing the disease process and possibly saving the dog's life, which is why canine hepatitis research is so important.
Hepatitis Research
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Lauren Trepanier, a doctor of veterinary medicine and associate professor at the University of Wisconsin, is researching antibodies directed against liver proteins to determine if they will identify dogs with hepatitis. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Health Foundation, which is funding the research, "So far, the research has identified a pattern of antibodies that is present in about one-third of the dogs with chronic hepatitis studied to date."
Congenital Liver Shunts
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Portosystemic vascular anomalies (PSVA or congenital liver shunts) are liver circulation genetic disorders common in toy and small breeds, such as bichon frises and cocker spaniels. This defect prevents blood from flowing to the liver, thus diverting it to other parts of the body. The accumulated buildup of toxic material can cause neurological impairment and death. Large breeds can also develop shunts inside the liver rather than outside of it as per small breeds, which are even more difficult to treat.
Liver Shunt Research
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Two separate congenital liver shunt research projects are underway at Washington State University (WSU) and one at Cornell. The WSU study, according to the AKC Canine Health Foundation "involves comparing diagnostic imaging methods in 30 dogs." Dr. Sharon Center, chief investigator and top US canine liver expert, is conducting the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine study. According to the Bichon Frise Club of America, the study is attempting "to identify a genetic marker that will allow informed breeding strategies to significantly reduce trait frequency."
Interim Recommendation
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Shih tzus are part of the research at Cornell Currently, the causes of both chronic hepatitis and congenital liver shunts are unknown. As such, experts recommend not breeding dogs with either condition. This practice will not only lessen the number of dogs born each year with liver disease, but it will also decrease the ability of these diseases to genetically proliferate. In the meantime, scientific research is working to find a way to more effectively monitor and diagnose these conditions for the future benefit of all dogs.
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