The liver plays many important roles in the bodies of dogs, just like humans. It aids in digestion and helps process toxins, among other things. When the liver stops functioning optimally, a dog will usually manifest a variety of symptoms. According to the Canine Liver Disease Foundation, symptoms of early damage can manifest subtly and can mimic a variety of other problems that vary in severity, so a person should take her dog to the veterinarian as soon as she observes any abnormal behaviors.
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Intestinal Symptoms
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Dogs with liver damage can suffer from diarrhea, constipation or vomiting. This might show up chronically or intermittently. The feces usually turn a pale gray color. This results from the lack of bile production in the liver, which gives stool its brown color. Improper bile production can also result in orange urine. Dogs with liver damage might also urinate more frequently.
Dietary Issues
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Affected dogs might eat less and drink more than normal. The excessive water consumption can result from an imbalance of kidney salts. The lack of food can result in weight loss and muscle wasting.
Behavioral Symptoms
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Liver damage can cause weakness, fatigue and depression. The dog might lose interest in playing and going for walks. Liver damage can also cause neurological changes that result in other behavioral changes like a change in demeanor, seizures, pacing, circling and head pressing.
Other Symptoms
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Dogs with liver damage might feel pain in the abdomen when touched. This area of the body can also swell from fluid accumulation. Improperly processed pigments can give eyes and white skin a yellow tinge---known as jaundice.
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