Dog Liver Disorders

Liver disorders in dogs often present with symptoms, such as loss of appetite and energy, that can be attributed to different diseases. Some of the liver disorders are specific to certain breeds of dogs, and some can strike any animal. Any disorder that involves the liver is serious. The blood is processed through the liver, and there is the possibility that the condition can be carried to other parts of the body.

Portosystemic Shunts

The function of the liver is to filter blood from the intestines, stomach, spleen and pancreas before it is sent out to the heart. A portosystemic shunt is a blood vessel that bypasses the liver, allowing proteins, sugars, bacteria and toxins to get to the heart and into the blood stream. Shunts are present at birth, and, in most cases, they close by themselves when the liver starts to function. If the shunt does not shut down or grows in the wrong place, the liver never grows. Surgery is possible in some cases, and in others, medication is used, but the success rate is not high.

Copper Toxicosis

Copper toxicosis is a buildup of copper in the liver and is a genetic condition prevalent in several terrier breeds as well Doberman pinschers, cocker spaniels, Labrador retrievers, German shepherds, miniature schnauzers, bulldogs and Pekingese. The dog will develop cirrhosis of the liver, and if the condition is left untreated, it will be fatal. When copper builds up in the liver, it puts pressure on the surrounding liver cells, destroying them. They then become scar tissue, which is what cirrhosis is. It can take years for the copper to build up in the liver before it can be detected. Copper toxicosis is serious, but it can be treated.

Leptospirosis Hepatitis

Leptospirosis hepatitis is a liver infection that is contagious to both animals and humans. Its end result can be chronic liver failure as well as kidney disease Leptospirosis hepatitis is one liver disease that can be fatal to a dog.

Hepatic Microvascular Dysplasia

Hepatic microvascular dysplasia is a condition where blood from the veins mixes with the blood from the arteries in the liver. It is prevalent in many small dog breeds, most particularly in Cairn terriers and Yorkshire terriers. Dogs with hepatic microvascular dysplasia can have seizures and other problems with the central nervous system. Treatment is not necessary in dogs that do not have symptoms, and in others, medication and a diet change are the usual courses of treatment.

Necrolytic Migratory Erythema

Necrolytic migratory erythema occurs when a liver disease causes a skin disease. It can be caused by a tumor or diabetes and can appear before the diabetes is able to be detected. It is believed that the liver disease causes a nutritional deficiency, and the nutritional deficiency causes the skin condition. In most cases, the prognosis is not good.