Urine Retention & Elevated Liver Enzymes in Dogs

Elevated liver enzymes in dogs can be a sign of liver disease.

Urine retention and elevated liver enzymes are symptoms of a number of conditions in dogs. Some of these, such as dental problems, can be simple to fix. However, other possible causes, such as liver disease, can be fatal. Therefore, it is important to diagnose the cause of your dog's symptoms as quickly as possible to ensure your pet receives the correct treatment.

Identification

Urine retention occurs when a dog finds it difficult to clear its bladder. Your pet might make frequent attempts to urinate, even if it isn't producing anything. Its bowels also might become distended as a result of fluid retention. This might appear to be a sudden weight gain.

Elevated liver enzymes are harder to diagnose and require testing by a veterinarian to diagnose. Symptoms of elevated liver enzymes include weight loss, jaundice, increased thirst and lethargy.

Significance

Urine retention and elevated liver enzymes are both symptoms of underlying conditions. Both can be potentially serious and should receive veterinary attention as soon as possible. A dog with urine retention could be in a lot of pain, which could cause shock and death. Raised levels of liver enzymes can cause irreparable damage to several organs in the body and create discomfort. The two symptoms together can indicate advanced liver disease, which must be treated immediately.

Causes

Each of these symptoms can be caused by various conditions. Urine retention usually indicates a blockage in the urinary tract, a tumor or a spinal chord injury, according to Vet Connect. Elevated liver enzymes can be caused by liver disease, which can result from bacterial infections, eating toxic substances or, with breeds such as Highland Terriers, a genetic disposition to the condition. The two symptoms together could be a sign of abdominal trauma, and urine retention can occur at the very late stages of liver disease.

Prevention/Solution

In the majority of cases, urine retention can be solved by fixing the cause of the problem. For instance, vets might insert a catheter to push blockages back into the bladder. Liver disease cannot be cured, but it can be managed with medication and dietary changes. Low protein diets are recommended for dogs with liver problems, and certain supplements, such as milk thistle, can help with liver functioning, according to Shaun Messonier, DVM.

Expert Insight

Dr Fleming of the Sherwood Animal Clinic in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, notes that urine retention can occur in the late stages of liver disease because of the levels of ammonia in the blood. As liver function decreases, the levels of ammonia in the dog's system rise and the amount of urea the dog produces declines. This usually occurs after 60 percent to 70 percent of the liver functioning has been destroyed, however, so it is critical to seek veterinary attention as soon as possible if you think your dog has liver problems.

References

• Liver Disease: Signs, Symptoms and Diagnosis
• Dog Health: Liver Disease in Dogs
• Dog Aware: Liver Disease in Dogs
• Vet Connect: Urine Retention

Resources

• Pet Center