Almost everyone who lives with a dog in their home treats it as part of the family. When a canine family member becomes ill with liver disease, which is one of the top five causes of non-accidental death in dogs, many questions arise.
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Causes
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Canine liver disease can be caused by bacterial infections, genetics, non-edible materials that have been ingested, such as nails, and pre-existing health conditions. In addition, liver disease in canines comes in various forms.
Symptoms
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Symptoms of liver disease include loss of appetite, jaundice (yellowing of eyes is noticeable), pale gums, significant weight loss, unusual lethargy, excessive thirst and hunger, vomiting and/or diarrhea, and a buildup of fluid in the abdominal region.
Forms of Liver Disease
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Liver disease comes in the forms of canine liver cancer, chronic active hepatitis, infectious hepatitis, copper toxicosis and portal vascular abnormalities.
Treatments
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Treatments of canine liver disease include surgery, chemical interventions, dietary changes and exercise.
Prognosis
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The life span of a dog diagnosed with liver disease depends on the type of liver disease and how long they have had it. However, there is no set lifespan; a vet cannot tell you that your dog has 6 to 9 months to live because every case is different.
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