What do dogs need their liver for?
The liver is one of the most important metabolic organs of our dogs. It consists of several liver lobes and is located in the abdominal cavity just behind the stomach. Closely associated with the liver is the gallbladder. Substances that are absorbed from the intestine into the bloodstream enter the liver via the portal vein. Depending on the substance, the materials are then utilized, stored, transformed, or broken down - the liver is quite a jack-of-all-trades.
The following functions are part of the liver's tasks:
- Storage of sugars, fats, and vitamins. The liver makes these available to the body as needed.
- Formation of proteins such as albumin and clotting factors.
- Production of bile acids, cholesterol.
- Breakdown of ammonia: It is produced during the breakdown of proteins, is toxic, and is converted into urea in the liver, which is then excreted through urine.
- Breakdown of blood cells that have reached the end of their life.
- Breakdown of medications, toxins, hormones.
How do liver problems manifest in dogs?
As you have already learned, the liver has various functions and is involved in many metabolic processes. Therefore, the symptoms of liver disease are diverse and nonspecific.
These symptoms often occur with liver diseases:
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy and apathy
- Weight loss
- Increased abdominal girth
- Fever
- Yellowing of the mucous membranes (jaundice)
- Increased tendency to bleed
- Increased water intake and more urination
If you notice one or more of these symptoms in your dog, you should promptly seek veterinary advice.
What liver diseases are there?
There are a variety of liver diseases with different causes. The following liver diseases are common:
Congenital diseases
One of the congenital liver diseases in dogs is the so-called *portosystemic shunt. This is a malformation of the liver vessels. The blood coming from the intestine is enriched with substances absorbed from the digestive tract. This blood does not go to the liver for metabolism in a portosystemic shunt, but directly into the systemic circulation. As a result, toxic substances such as ammonia end up in the body and can lead to severe symptoms such as seizures*. This condition primarily affects puppies and young dogs.
Another congenital disease is copper storage disease. This is a genetic defect that causes too much copper to be stored in the liver, leading to a chronic liver inflammation. Some breeds are more frequently affected than others. These include:
- Bedlington Terrier
- West Highland Terrier
- Dalmatian
- Doberman
- Labrador
Liver inflammation (hepatitis)
The causes of liver inflammation include:
- Bacteria
- Viruses such as Canine Adenovirus 1 (CAV-1)
- Parasites
- Single-celled organisms
- Poisoning, for example, from xylitol, medications
- Tumor diseases
- →Pancreatitis
Liver inflammations can be acute or chronic, and the treatment depends on the cause. The Canine Adenovirus 1 (CAV-1) is the pathogen of Hepatitis Contagiosa Canis, a generalized viral infection. You can have your four-legged friend vaccinated** against this virus. It is best to consult your veterinarian about this.
Liver tumors
Unfortunately, our furry friends are also not spared from tumor diseases. The liver can either develop tumors itself or be affected secondarily by metastases.
Liver cirrhosis
Liver cirrhosis represents the end stage of chronic liver diseases. The liver structure and function are irreversibly altered due to persistent damage.
Although the liver has a great regenerative potential, the damage in liver cirrhosis can no longer be repaired.
When it reaches this point, only limited help and symptomatic treatment can be provided for your beloved pet. Enjoy the time with your furry friend and pamper them with lots of cuddles and healthy snacks.
Gesund und lecker verwöhnen - mit unseren Snacks
How are liver diseases diagnosed?
Your veterinarian will begin with a clinical examination after you have described the symptoms and condition of your furry friend. Since the symptoms of liver diseases are so diverse and often not definitive, the next step is usually a blood test. Here, blood cells, liver enzymes, and other values can be assessed.
Imaging procedures such as ultrasound or X-rays are often necessary. In some cases, such as with a portosystemic shunt, further imaging techniques like a CT or MRI may be required. If a tumor disease or other structural changes in the liver are suspected, your veterinarian may also take cells or tissue in the form of a biopsy to assess the liver tissue under a microscope.
What do elevated liver values mean?
In a blood test, many values are usually determined. Most of these you probably have never heard of - and that's okay. Your veterinarian will discuss the blood findings of your four-legged friend in detail and explain what it actually means when the liver values are elevated or decreased.
Here is a small overview of common liver values:
Liver enzymes
Liver enzymes are sensitive parameters for detecting liver diseases. However, they can also change in other diseases and are therefore not conclusive for a liver disease. They also provide no indication of liver function.
The following blood values belong to the liver enzymes:
- Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is a good indicator of liver diseases.
- Alkaline phosphatase (AP) can also be elevated in other diseases such as Cushing's syndrome or diabetes mellitus.
- Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) is especially an important indicator of liver problems in cats.
- Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) is found not only in the liver but also in muscle and red blood cells. Changes are therefore not liver-specific.
- Glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) is elevated in hepatitis and poisoning with liver-toxic substances.
Synthesis products of the liver
These include the substances produced by the liver:
- Albumin
- Urea
- Glucose
- Clotting factors
Decreased values may indicate reduced liver function.
Metabolic products of the liver
These include:
- Bilirubin
- Bile acids
- Ammonia
A change in these values provides indications of the functionality of the liver.
How are liver diseases treated?
The treatment of liver problems depends on the cause. In the case of a bacterial infection, antibiotics are helpful, while for a tumor or portosystemic shunt, surgery may be advisable. Symptomatic therapy includes infusion therapy to provide your four-legged friend with sufficient fluids. There are also medications that can support the liver, and a low-protein diet is beneficial. Your veterinarian will choose the right treatment for your furry friend**.
Preventing liver diseases
Unfortunately, you cannot take preventive measures against all liver diseases. By regularly vaccinating and deworming, you at least protect your four-legged friend from some infectious causes of liver diseases.
Through a →healthy diet, you can protect your dog from liver fatty degeneration. It is also the key to a long, happy dog life. If you are unsure which food is suitable for your dog, you can →get free advice from us. Thanks to our →practical trial packages, you can try different types of food.
