Canine Liver Disease Progression

Diagnosis of canine liver disease is not what any pet owner wants to hear.

Liver disease progression in your canine differs depending on the stage of the disease when diagnosis occurs. According to Fetchdog.com, diagnosis is often difficult to obtain in the early stages since the liver has the ability to regrow itself when damaged. The liver has a large reserve capacity, which means that up to 80 percent of it can be diseased and still provide the body with essential needs and function sufficiently.

Causes

A full scale of tests need to be conducted to check your pet for liver disease

Causes of liver disease can occur from contact with man-made toxins, viruses, bacteria, parasites, cancers, existing medical conditions and gall stones. Liver disease also might accompany other existing diseases as pancreatitis, Cushing's syndrome, heartworm infection and diabetes mellitus.

Identification

Do not depend on your diagnosis alone, always seek professional advice from your veterinarian

To know if your pet is experiencing progressive liver disease, look for signs of jaundice (i.e., pale gums, yellowing of the eyes or skin). A decrease in appetite is also common, along with weight loss, increased thirst and urination, nausea, swelling in the abdomen, bloody stool or urine, seizures and even bruising.

Treatment

Supplements are available to help treat and prevent progression of liver disease in your pet

Treatment varies, dependent on the cause of the disease and how severely the disease has progressed. Veterinarians perform blood tests to check the enzyme level along with a physical examination. If the cause of the liver disease can be determined, recovery is possible, due to the liver's ability to regenerate itself.

Considerations

Annual tests can aid in preventing progressed stages of liver disease.

It is crucial to not postpone veterinarian assistance if your pet begins to show any indication of liver disease symptoms. The veterinarian may need to treat bacterial infections with antibiotics or perform surgery for an abscess, states Fetchdog.com.

Prevention/Solution

Always consult with your veterinarian before buying any product to treat your pet.

Dietary adjustments along with herbal supplements can aid in preventing and treating liver disease progression. Under a revised diet with supplements, your dog can experience an increase in liver function. Check with your veterinarian before administering over-the-counter products.

References

• Canine-Epilepsy.com: Liver Disease Signs, Symptoms and Diagnosis
• Liver Disease in Dogs
• Canine Liver Disease

Resources

• LiverAid