What Are the Causes of an Enlarged Liver in Dogs?

A dog gets an enlarged liver due to a number of factors that can potentially lead to liver failure. Symptoms of an enlarged liver include loss of appetite and subsequent loss of weight, urinating less often or having strangely colored urine, and vomiting. It's crucial to get the dog to a vet to figure out what exactly is causing the liver problems.

  1. Heartworms

    • According to the Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook, heartworms can cause damage not only to the dog's heart, but also the liver, resulting in it becoming enlarged and damaged.

    Poisons

    • Poisonous substances can also cause hepatitis in dogs. They include carbon tetrachloride, insecticides, large doses of lead or selenium, arsenic, ragwort, moldy corn, some antifungal medications and NSAID painkillers. Corticosteriods may also cause the liver to enlarge.

    Injury

    • Long Beach Animal Hospital states that a dog with an injury to the abdomen is highly likely to experience an enlarged liver and liver disease. Dogs that have been hit by cars are prone to this.

    Disease

    • Diseases that cause an enlarged liver and liver disease include Cushing's syndrome, diabetes and hepatic encephalopathy (a brain disorder that produces such high levels of toxins in the bloodstream that the liver cannot filter them all out).

    Copper-Associated Hepatitis

    • Certain breeds of dogs are prone to having a genetic defect in which their livers can't handle copper. These breeds include Dobermans, Bedlington Terriers, West Highland White Terriers and Skye Terriers.