Liver cirrhosis in dogs
Liver cirrhosis in dogs isn't a common condition, but it does occur. While it might seem like pets don't drink alcohol, why would dogs develop this problem? This condition isn't limited to those who abuse alcohol. In pets, the causes of liver failure are different, and far more serious.
Content
Causes of liver cirrhosis in dogs
What are the causes of liver cirrhosis in dogs? What can lead to parenchymal tissue dying and being replaced by connective tissue?
There are two types of cirrhosis: hypertrophic (when the organ grows and increases in size due to the growth of connective tissue within the lobules) and atrophic (in this type, connective tissue grows between the lobules, constricting them, causing the liver to shrink and become denser). In the former case, the liver will protrude beyond the last ribs, which can lead an inexperienced doctor to confuse it with hepatitis. In the latter case, changes in the organ can only be detected through additional examinations (ultrasound, X-ray, blood tests).
Toxins
Liver cirrhosis in dogs often develops due to exposure to toxins. Toxic dystrophy is a common condition in pets. When a pet eats poor-quality food or poison, the liver "circulates" the toxic blood. As a result, the organ slowly dies, trying to retain the toxins for as long as possible.
But they can enter a pet's body not only through food, but also through the skin (tick and flea treatments with overly strong medications, improper dosage), muscles (injections of medications contraindicated for dogs, again, overdose), and lungs (inhalation of toxic fumes and powders). In fact, the question of how toxins enter a pet's body is a long one.
Right now, it's important to understand that poisoning is very dangerous. You need to choose food and medications responsibly. And make your home safe (keep household chemicals out of reach of a curious pet).
Other liver diseases
Other liver diseases. If left untreated, they can easily progress to cirrhosis. Therefore, hepatitis, liver disease, and other conditions should not be ignored. The animal must be treated completely, eliminating all potential causes of harm to its health. Viral infections should also be considered. hepatitisIt is dangerous because the liver is damaged by the virus, so standard treatment for hepatitis will not be enough.
Digestive system
Chronic digestive diseases. Poorly digested food spoils inside the pet before it's even excreted. Toxins enter the bloodstream and poison the pet. Untreated gastritis can easily lead to hepatitis, which can progress to cirrhosis.
Other reasons
- Nutritional deficiencies (particularly vitamin pyridoxine).
- Blood stasis in the portal vein.
Symptoms of liver cirrhosis in dogs
Symptoms of liver cirrhosis in dogs don't appear immediately. It's extremely rare for cirrhosis to develop immediately. Often, it begins with hepatitis, and the condition worsens over time.
Change in appetite
You can suspect something is wrong as soon as your pet's eating habits decrease. Yes, sometimes the animal has no desire to eat, or food disappears slowly from the bowl, but this usually returns to normal within a day or two. Everyone has those days when they don't feel like eating. But with cirrhosis, refusal to eat (or a very poor appetite) occurs daily. Even the pet's favorite treats are uninteresting.
Palpation
If the liver is enlarged (due to liver hypertrophy), it can be felt on the right side behind the last rib. In a healthy dog, it won't be palpable. If a dog has atrophic cirrhosis, the liver won't be palpable, but the pet's abdomen will noticeably take on a pear-shaped appearance (fluid accumulation within the abdominal cavity). Ascites is very dangerous.
Other symptoms
- Behavior changes. Lethargy and weakness are observed. The dog sleeps a lot and moves little.
- Visible hemorrhages. Small hemorrhages often appear on the skin or visible mucous membranes.
- Jaundice There won't be any. You won't see any jaundice as such. Yes, yellowing of the whites of the eyes and mucous membranes may appear, but it won't be very noticeable.
Laboratory diagnostics help confirm the diagnosis. Blood tests reveal a deficiency of fibrinogen and albumin (blood proteins), while globulin levels spike sharply.
Ultrasound and X-rays have proven effective as additional tests. They can detect changes in organs. For example, the liver and spleen may become enlarged (in atrophic cirrhosis, on the contrary, the liver becomes very hard).
Treatment of a dog with liver cirrhosis
Treating a dog with liver cirrhosis isn't easy. The process is irreversible. While it's possible to alleviate the pet's symptoms, a complete cure is impossible. Unfortunately, this doesn't mean the pet should be left without veterinary care. First and foremost, the underlying causes of the liver disease must be ruled out.
Treatment is primarily aimed at preventing portal blood stagnation. Detoxification therapy is also necessary. A diseased liver will not be able to effectively purify the blood, which will only worsen the disease.
Diuretic and choleretic medications are not the primary treatment. They are merely symptomatic therapy that helps alleviate the dog's condition. Recovery is impossible without these medications. Hepatoprotectors are also helpful.
If you have ascites, surgery will be required (you are unlikely to decide to drain the fluid from your abdominal cavity at home). It is important to understand that if the disease has already progressed, medications will not be able to help.
Feeding the dog
A dog with liver cirrhosis should be fed a proper and balanced diet, as with all animals. Fatty or "heavy" foods should be avoided. A dog with cirrhosis requires protein and carbohydrates. Multivitamins are essential. However, these should only be administered after consultation with a veterinarian.
Preventing liver cirrhosis in dogs
Preventing liver cirrhosis in dogs involves eliminating the underlying causes and contributing factors. Feed your dog properly. Vaccinate and deworm your dog on time. Avoid neglecting chronic digestive diseases (including liver disease). And never self-medicate your pet.
Any questions? You can ask our website's staff veterinarian in the comments below, who will answer them as quickly as possible.
Read also:
- Polydex vitamins for dogs
- Lymphoma in dogs: symptoms and treatment
- Elevated ALT and AST in dogs: what does it mean and why?
9 comments
Nelya
The dog lost weight very rapidly, but still had a good appetite. We ran a complete blood count and biochemistry panel. The tests and ultrasound revealed liver disease and an enlarged gallbladder. White blood cells were normal. The dog was given IV fluids and antibiotics. He is currently taking Essentiale, pancreatin, and a choleretic. There has been no improvement. His appetite is still good, but he is lethargic and continues to lose weight.
Daria is a veterinarian
Hello! First of all, review the dog's diet and choose a more gentle one (there are series for animals with liver disease) to minimize the strain on the liver. Secondly, don't forget about parasites. Deworming is a must. Thirdly, don't forget about B vitamins, which help the liver recover faster (basically, the most basic ones are Uberin, Katozal, Vitosal, Phosphosal, and their analogues). Has the dog been sick recently or vaccinated? Has there been any poisoning? Any contact with suspicious animals? Are the whites of the eyes and mucous membranes yellow? Are there any changes in liver enzymes?
Leonid
My dog has a stomach ulcer and is collecting water in his abdomen, and his liver is probably affected. He's started eating little and moving little. Is there any treatment other than pumping out the water?
Dasha is a veterinarian
Hello! We need to find the cause of the ascites. However, the primary treatment is still fluid drainage. Diuretics and a host of other medications are also needed, but all of this must be done under the direct supervision of a veterinarian. In some cases, fluid drainage is performed once a month, in others once a week, and in others, every two days is necessary. Without identifying the cause, the animal cannot be fully cured. It is important to rule out an infectious cause.
Anna
Hello, my dog is 7 years old (a hunting dog). Her abdominal cavity has become enlarged. She eats and drinks well. Several times a day, she suddenly lies on her side and doesn't respond. After a few minutes, everything is normal. Could it be ascites? Thank you.
Dasha is a veterinarian
Hello! It's possible to make a guess, but it's just a guess. A confirmed diagnosis can only be confirmed through examinations (ultrasound, X-ray, puncture). Action is needed quickly. Treatment is also not simple (ascites often returns—relapses), and the cause of this swelling must be found and addressed. Take her to the clinic. Even if it's not ascites, you need to look for the cause of the abdominal distension (the liver or intestines may be inflamed, or if the cat is female, there may be something wrong with the uterus or ovaries). Differentiation is essential in any case.
Oksana
Good afternoon. My dog is 3.5 years old. Yesterday, we discovered cirrhosis and ascites. They're giving us hope. We're giving him IVs and everything else we need. We've had his biochemistry done. His hemoglobin has just dropped. His appetite hasn't disappeared. We noticed a swollen belly and were alarmed. He's active. He plays. He barks, though a little less than usual. Is there any hope that the diagnosis is wrong? He's not lethargic and he hasn't lost his appetite.
Pevneva Anastasia
My dog hasn't eaten for four days! We just found out today that he has cirrhosis of the liver... We've been doing everything the doctor recommends, but he still won't eat. What should we do?
Natalia
Your dog doesn't necessarily have cirrhosis (or just cirrhosis); it's possible there may be a portocovular (liver) shunt. Diagnosis is necessary to detect the shunt; in most cases, after the shunt is occluded, the dog returns to normal. Be sure to have the following tests done: bile acid test (before and 2 hours after feeding), TSH, and TT4. Based on the results, your veterinarian will prescribe additional tests, such as CT angiography and/or portography. Wishing your pet good health!
Add a comment