Liver disease in dogs is a common disorder that is predominately known to affect older dogs and there are many different causes of liver diseases that may afflict a dog.
Statistics show that liver disease accounts for one fifth of non accidental deaths of dogs.
The liver is a very important organ in dogs just as in human beings and it performs several functions such as the storage of energy and nutrients, detoxification of the body, fighting diseases and a lot more.
Therefore if the liver becomes diseased and no longer able to perform its functions, then the dog will soon begin to suffer.
The prognosis of a diseased liver hinges on early detection and prompt treatment.
Liver disease in dogs could be caused by chronic hepatitis, injury to the abdomen, anemia, virus, bacteria, fungus, and inflammation of the pancreas.
Trauma such as your beloved pet being knocked down by a car or a severe heat stroke could also result in a diseased liver and some drugs that are used in treating some other medical condition in your dog such as worming medications may cause this disease.
Some dogs are born with liver abnormality and it could also be caused by anemia and heart disease that alters the flow of blood to the liver.
A very common symptom of liver disease in dogs is lethargy and depression and you may also notice a distended stomach as a result of an enlarged liver.
Some other symptoms to be on the look for include vomiting, weight loss, diarrhea, urination, excessive drinking and a drop in appetite.
When the disease gets to an advanced stage without treatment, usually because of late detection, then you may observe the yellowing of his gum, the whites of his eyes and his skin.
A lot of liver disease in dogs could easily go undetected and in some cases they could be mistaken for other health related issues but once a dog owner notices any of the possible symptoms in his dog, he should promptly visit the vet with a medical history of his observations.
The prognosis and the treatment of a diseased liver depends on the cause of the disease for instance if it is caused by trauma then hospitalization may be all that is needed for complete recovery whereas if the cause is due to bacteria, virus or fungal then antibiotics will have to be administered to your dog.
In most cases dietary changes may be necessary; this may involve nothing more than adjusting the quantities of vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats and carbohydrates that you give to your beloved pet.