What happens when a dog’s liver fails? Here’s What to Do Next

Causes of Liver Disease in Dogs

Acute liver failure is most often caused by infectious agents or toxins, poor flow of fluids into the liver and surrounding tissues (perfusion), hypoxia (inability to breathe), drugs or chemicals that are destructive to the liver (hepatotoxic), and excess exposure to heat. Necrosis (tissue death) sets in, with loss of liver enzymes and impaired liver function ultimately leading to complete organ failure.

Acute liver failure also occurs due to extensive metabolic disorders in protein synthesis (albumin, transport protein, procoagulant and anticoagulant protein factors), and glucose absorption, as well as abnormalities in the metabolic detoxification process. If this condition is not treated promptly, it can result in death.

Stages of dog liver failure

Liver disease in dogs occurs in four stages.

1 – Abnormal inflammation is the first stage of this condition, and this can be treated with medication or dietary changes in most cases.

2 – The second stage is fibrosis which occurs when the liver begins to scar and harden. When liver disease is caught at this stage or before, it can be reversed.

3 – Cirrhosis is the third stage, which is characterised by permanent scarring to the liver.

4 – The fourth stage of liver disease is liver failure, at which point the dog’s liver can’t function properly. At this stage, the main goal will be to make your dog as comfortable as they can be in their final weeks or months.

Livers are regenerative, so if liver disease is caught early enough, dogs can recover and live a happy, healthy life. But in severe cases, your dog may require more intensive treatment and in extreme cases, liver disease may even be too advanced to be treated.

Symptoms of Liver Disease in Dogs

The symptoms of early stage liver disease are non-specific, which means they are common to a number of ailments and do not directly point to a liver problem. This can make detecting liver issues difficult. Early stage symptoms can include:

  • Vomiting and diarrhea
  • An increase in thirst, which will cause the dog to pee more frequently
  • Loss of appetite and weight loss
  • Changes in behavior, such as irritability, lethargy, or depression
  • As the disease progresses, it can cause jaundice where the skin, eyes, and gums turn a yellowish color. This is one of the most telltale signs of liver disease. In addition to jaundice, later stage symptom include:

  • Swelling of the abdomen due to enlargement of the liver or fluid build up
  • Issues with blood clotting
  • Blood in the urine or feces
  • Blindness
  • Seizures
  • Coma
  • Neurological problems, such as disorientation, pacing, aimless wandering, or lack of coordination can also happen in the end stages. These are caused by an accumulation of toxins that normally would have been eliminated by the liver.

    Diagnosing liver disease requires a blood test to check the levels of enzymes, proteins, and other substances produced by the liver and a urinalysis to evaluate the overall health of the liver and kidneys. Both of these tests can also help diagnose or rule out underlying illnesses.

    In addition, X-rays and an ultrasound can be done to see if the liver is enlarged and look for gallstones, cysts, or signs of cancer. In some cases, a liver biopsy might be needed for a more definitive diagnosis.

    Treatment of liver disease in dogs is focused on managing the symptoms and addressing the underlying cause if it has been diagnosed. It can include:

  • Fluid therapy to treat or prevent dehydration
  • Antibiotics to eliminate a bacterial infection
  • Medications to control symptoms such as vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeding, or inflammation
  • Surgery to remove cysts, gallstones, or cancerous portions of the liver
  • If your dog has liver cancer, chemotherapy or radiation could also be part of the treatment recommendations.

    If your dog has chronic liver disease, your veterinarian might suggest dietary changes, including store bought or prescription foods that are designed to help promote healthy liver function. Your veterinarian can help you decide if these foods would be beneficial for your dog.

    There are things you can do to help prevent both acute liver failure and chronic liver disease. For instance:

  • Keep harmful substances including human medications, antifreeze, pesticides, and rodenticides out of paw’s reach. Check out this quick reference site we’ve created to help keep your pet safe!
  • Know which foods could harm your dog and result in liver failure. If you are not sure which foods are harmful, you can read our list of 16 things not to feed your dog.
  • Never give your dog over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen) without consulting with your veterinarian first.
  • If your veterinarian recommends medication for your dog, be sure to follow the instructions carefully to avoid overdosing.
  • Don’t let your dog drink from stagnant or potentially unclean water sources because they can contain molds and blue-green algae, which can cause acute liver failure.
  • Maintain your pet’s weight with a healthy diet and exercise routine. This can help avoid illnesses like diabetes that can lead to liver disease.
  • It is also important to schedule regular exams for your dog so your veterinarian can check for early signs of liver disease. You can get reimbursed for those exams and more if you have an ASPCA Pet Health Insurance plan and choose one of our preventive care coverage options at an additional cost.

    Diagnosis of Liver Failure (Acute) in Dogs

    Your dog’s symptoms will probably indicate severe liver failure. Bloodwork and urine samples can show the level of dysfunction and help to determine the cause of the problem. The veterinarian will check for infectious diseases, signs of poisoning, and hormone or enzyme imbalance. X-rays and ultrasound will often show an enlarged liver and may help to diagnose cancer, cysts, or vascular abnormalities.

    The veterinarian will need your dog’s medical history, including any known conditions such as diabetes, and any medications, past or present. Family history may also be important, since breed is a factor. Any potential exposure to poisoning will be extremely relevant. An exact description of your dog’s symptoms may help to indicate the source of the problem. The veterinarian will need to know the dates of your dog’s last vaccinations and any potential exposure to infections.

    How To Treat Liver Disease In Dogs | Liver Failure In Dogs | Dogtor Pete