According to Merck.com, liver failure occurs when a significant amount of the liver has been compromised. In dogs with liver failure, proteins that aid in blood clotting are not produced and blood pressure in veins that connect digestive organs can increase. Since liver failure can occur very rapidly, dogs that have eaten toxins should be immediately brought to the veterinarian, especially if liver failure is suspected. There are signs of liver failure to watch for if your dog has liver damage from eating toxins.
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Jaundice
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Observant dog owners may notice jaundice, the yellowing of the skin and the whites of eyes, in dogs with liver failure. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, this is caused by the liver's inability to process bilirubin, a waste product of red blood cells. When the ingested toxins cause liver failure, the resulting liver inflammation and blocked bile ducts allow body wastes to accumulate and saturate the body. Another sign of jaundice is dark urine.
Ascites
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The pooling of abdominal fluid, referred to as ascites, occurs when fluids in the dog's liver can no longer be contained. The fluids leak and cause the dog's abdomen to appear distended. The dog may appear uncomfortable, especially around his abdomen. He may also appear to be out of breath or breathing with difficulty. Ascites often occur during liver failure due to portal hypertension, the increase in blood pressure in liver related veins. They may also develop from a leak of the intestinal tract.
Hepatic Encephalopathy
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This condition involves the accumulation of wastes that are no longer detoxified by the liver. These wastes damage the dog's brain function. This may cause changes in the dog's behavior and can lead to lethargy, impaired cognitive function, loss of consciousness and even coma. This condition is also known as liver encephalopathy or portal-systemic encephalopathy.
Other Signs
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Other signs of liver failure in dogs include vomiting, extreme lethargy, anorexia and easy or unexplained bruising. Bruising on dogs is more easily seen on their abdomens where the hair is thinner. Liver failure reduces clotting action which causes bruising as well as excessive bleeding. Liver failure is fatal in dogs that are left untreated. Survival of the dog depends on the types of toxins ingested and the severity of the liver damage. According to Shawn Messonnier, D.V.M., author of "Natural Health Bible for Dogs and Cats," the most common toxins seen with liver failure in dogs include acetaminophen, tetracycline, Rimadyl, a pain medicine for arthritis, toxic mushrooms and antibacterial sulfonamides.
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