Liver disease is one of the top five causes of death in dogs, and warning signs should be taken seriously. The liver performs many functions that the body cannot do without, such as detoxifying the blood and as a production house for bile, which helps dogs to digest their food. The liver serves some function in almost every body process.
-
Effects
-
Liver disease can be caused by several different factors that have varying treatments and degrees of success. Symptoms of illness include: vomiting, weight loss, lethargy, and jaundice, or the yellowing of the eyes and mucous membranes. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should take your dog to the vet immediately for evaluation and treatment.
Infectious Canine Hepatitis
-
The first cause of liver disease in dogs is infectious canine hepatitis. This highly contagious virus is airborne and is contracted when a dog inhales particles from the air or on the ground. Nose-to-nose contact with an infected dog will also transmit the disease. Dogs can carry and transmit the virus for up to one year after recovery.
The virus enters the bloodstream and begins to attack the eyes, kidneys, liver and blood vessels, though most dogs do not show any symptoms of being infected. If symptoms appear at all, the dog may seem lethargic and lose his appetite for a few days. In some dogs, a bluish tint to their eyes will develop after a week or two of infection, and some may develop a cough.
In dogs that have weak immune systems or very young puppies, a more severe infection will develop. These dogs will develop hepatitis, internal bleeding, tonsillitis, and inflammation of the mouth and eyes. Over the next two weeks, dogs that exhibit severe infection symptoms will either die or develop chronic liver disease or cirrhosis.
Chronic Active Hepatitis
-
Chronic active hepatitis is another liver problem that occurs in dogs. It is an ongoing inflammation of the liver that causes irreversible damage. Dogs that experience chronic active hepatitis are said to be in liver failure. The disease attacks new liver cells, killing them and forming scar tissue. This condition is known as cirrhosis, which is a secondary condition caused by the hepatitis. There are several known conditions that cause chronic active hepatitis such as infectious canine hepatitis, leptospirosis, drug and chemical toxicities, and certain toxins that can be found in moldy grain used to make dog food.
Hepatic Neoplasia
-
Hepatic neoplasia, or liver cancer, is another cause of liver failure in dogs. Tumors are aggressive and can metastasize to other organ systems throughout the body. Clinical signs of liver cancer in dogs are usually vague but include weight loss, lethargy and jaundice.
Treatment
-
Treatment for liver disease is usually limited to supportive care, including the use of intravenous fluids to help flush toxins from the body and the judicious use of antibiotics to prevent secondary bacterial infections. A veterinarian can perform surgery to remove liver tumors, though if multiple lobes are affected, then surgery is not usually an option. Dogs with liver disease can expect to live for several years with good quality care, but they will eventually succumb to the disease as the liver continues to deteriorate.
Prevention/Solution
-
Vaccinations can prevent canine infectious hepatitis. All puppies are vaccinated against the disease during their early puppy vaccinations, and most will be protected throughout the rest of their lives, with or without annual boosters. Feeding dogs a good quality dog food from a company that inspects grains for aflatoxins is also a good way to prevent liver damage. As with any disease, taking your dog to the veterinarian for an examination when he is not feeling well is a good way to prevent damage to vital organ systems, including the liver.
-