Liver Disfunction in Dogs

The liver is the organ responsible for processing waste in the body, and liver dysfunction is a serious issue for dogs. Some breeds that are prone to liver dysfunction include the doberman, the miniature schnauzer, and the West Highland terrier, but all dogs can suffer from it. Understanding more about liver dysfunction in dogs will help you keep your dog healthy.

  1. Function

    • The liver covers a wide array of functions for a dog. Not only is it involved in almost every biochemical process that is necessary to maintain life, it also detoxifies body waste and is responsible for protein synthesis. The liver produces the chemicals that are necessary for the digestive process. Liver dysfunction can cause problems in one or several of these functions.

    Considerations

    • Diagnosis of liver problems in dogs can be delayed because the liver is able to perform under extremely difficult circumstances. According to James E. Seltzer, Ph.D., the liver can perform when up to 70 to 80 percent of the liver is affected by disease. While this can keep a dog looking healthy and functional for an extended period of time, it also means that liver dysfunction can be hidden until the condition is very advanced.

    Causes

    • Many factors or conditions can cause liver dysfunction in dogs. Some dog breeds are genetically prone to liver disease. Viral and bacterial infections can also damage the liver, as can parasites, toxic reactions and cancer. Obstructive bile duct disease, which occurs when the pancreas is damaged or inflamed, can also cause distress to the liver.

    Symptoms

    • Because the liver is important to so many different functions in the body, the symptoms that a dog with liver dysfunction might manifest can be varied. A dog with liver dysfunction might be prone to digestive issues, including vomiting, diarrhea, constipation or a loss of appetite, or it might show a lack of energy or listlessness. Behavioral changes, weight loss, increased water consumption and gray feces are a few other signs that a dog might be suffering from liver dysfunction.

    Identification

    • Several blood tests might be used to identify liver dysfunction in dogs, but they are not the only way to learn about this type of issue. A check for high levels of bilirubin or alkaline phosphate can result in a positive test for liver problems. An elevation in the level of serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase can also point to liver dysfunction in dogs.