Liver disease - I'm Confused

[littlechop959]

Has anyone had any experience with liver disease in dogs? My dog apparently has a liver disease, but, short of a biopsy, they can't tell for sure what's going on...and she acts healthier and "perkier" than anyone or anything i've seen!! she's part papillon, terrier and spaniel (some day she'll be dog of the day!!!) any advice or help??

------------------
Flakesmommy
GOD'S KINGDOM IS IN YOUR HEART

[carrie]

What other tests have they done on your dog to make them think that liver problems are present? Was it picked up in a routine check or were you at the vet for a particular problem?

[littlechop959]

Back in july she was acting unlike her usual bouncy self, and spent a day throwing up...her urine was bright orange, so i brought her in...they did bloodwork, and we had her on meds...a month later she was fine but i was stillbringing her in every month for bloodwork..the last time it was up again (it had been up once before also) so he wanted me to bring her to a specialist. she did a form of biopsy where they stick the needle in and take little pieces of the liver..xrays show it's mottled...and it wasn't ver conclusive, so she said we could do a full biopsy, but i declined...she's not acting sick, seems fine, so i don't want to put her thru it. they have ruled out cancer, which is good!! and she's nice and pink instead of that horrible yellow she was.

------------------
Flakesmommy
GOD'S KINGDOM IS IN YOUR HEART

[Pam]

Wow today is sort of a morbid day for me. I just posted regarding someone's question of heart disease in dogs (my Whitney died of a heart attack). Now here liver disease is the topic in this forum. My Ashley, a 14 year old miniature poodle, died of liver disease on June 4, 1998. With her it came on very suddenly. One morning she just would not eat. I didn't think too much about it although it had never happened before. I figured everyone was entitled to not be hungry now and then. As the next few days went on would skip a meal or two and then when she did eat, it would come up. She appeared so hungry, poor baby, but could not keep it down. The vet examined her and took x-rays and said that her liver was 1/3 larger than it should have been and diagnosed liver disease. For starters he kept her in the "doggie hospital" on intravenous fluids for a few days to see if he could get her eating again. He was planning to do a biopsy but used the IV fluids first. When food was re-introduced she still could not keep it down. The bottom line is that we did not want to put her through any more and at 14 it was time to say goodbye. We never had the biopsy so don't know exactly for sure the nature of what caused the enlarged liver. For us it was the right decision because of her age and the suffering we had observed. I was with her until the end and even now it breaks my heart writing about it.

[carrie]

This is not a pleasant topic so I am just going to give you what facts I know in a straightforward manner. I really don't know how else to do it. Remember many dogs can be cured and many dogs can live healthy and full lives for many years. It is important to get an accurate diagnosis so consider the biopsy seriously. The sooner your dog has correct diagnosis and treatment the better. Best of luck and let us know how it all goes.


The signs of chronic liver disease are varied and vague. Because the liver is so large and can repair itself so well long term disease is often accompanied by repair. More than 80% of the liver must be destroyed before function fails totally. This makes it very hard for vets to be specific and biopsies are a common and vital aid to diagnosis.
The signs of chronic liver disease include weight loss, loss of appetite, dullness, vomitting, diarrhoea, increased thirst, swollen belly, pale faeces and apparent stupidity ( dogs sometimes stand with their head leaning on a wall or on the floor).
Sadly the long term outlook is often poor. Treatment is aimed at making the dog as comfortable as possible. Diet must be strictly controlled - high carbohydrate, low fat with the best quality protein if the brain is not affected and low protein food if the brain is affected. The dog will need steroids and vitamin B complex and vitamin K supplements.