How serious is canine liver disease?

Question

I am a 23 year old struggling student and I have a 4 year old Shih Tzu. I took him to the vet yesterday because he was very sick. The vet told me he needed to keep my dog over night to preform tests on him. I called the vet this morning and found out my dog has liver disease and mentioned something about hepatitis (obviously a canine form of it). My vet was not very imformative and just told me I had to start my dog on medication and take him in for a biopsy. He told me that it could be terminal. I have been trying to search Google on this subject, but all I get are symptoms and how to diagnos it. I just want to know how serious this is. Have you had a pet with the same problem? What was the out come. Was it costly to treat?

Answer 1

Treatment of Liver Disease

In many cases of liver disease, specific treatment is unavailable. Treatment is mainly supportive and symptomatic, such as administering subcutaneous (SQ) or intravenous (IV) fluids to prevent dehydration, providing adequate nutrition, and giving medications to control vomiting.

Medications

The type of medications given depend on the cause and extent of the liver damage. The liver is one of the main organs that breaks down medications. If the liver is not functioning correctly, medications often need to be given at lower doses since they remain in the body for a longer period of time. This includes those medications the pet may have been taking prior to the liver disease.

Corticosteroids are used in certain cases of liver disease, such as chronic hepatitis, to decrease inflammation and scarring. They also stimulate the appetite and promote an overall feeling of well-being. High doses of corticosteroids can actually cause liver disease; do not give corticosteroids to a pet with liver disease except under the direct supervision of your veterinarian.

Antibiotics are used in cases of infection or if the patient is at risk of a secondary infection.

Penicillamine and zinc acetate are used in the treatment of copper storage disease to reduce the amount of copper in the liver.

Medications may be indicated to help decrease nausea or vomiting caused by the liver disease, or to prevent ulcers in the stomach or small intestine. Examples of these medications include sucralfate and cimetidine.

Ascites is treated with a diuretic such as furosemide (Lasix). Left untreated, ascites will cause difficulty breathing as it puts pressure on the diaphragm.

Dehydration and changes in electrolytes need to be prevented with the use of IV or SQ fluids and electrolyte supplements such as potassium.

Diet and supplements

For many liver diseases, diets may need to be altered to maintain proper nutrition and caloric intake. Specific diets may be recommended depending on the diagnosis. Some animals may have reduced appetites or refuse to eat. In these cases, the pet may need to be force-fed with a syringe or a feeding tube will need to be placed.

Dogs with copper storage disease need to be placed on a special diet low in copper.

A daily vitamin and mineral supplement is often advised for pets with liver disease to help prevent deficiencies. If copper storage disease is diagnosed, this supplement should not contain any copper.

Supplemental vitamin K may be necessary to help control bleeding disorders, since a diseased liver produces and stores less of this vitamin which is necessary for the liver to produce clotting factors.

Vitamin E is given as an anti-oxidant to remove free radicals and prevent further oxidative injury to the liver. A water-soluble form of vitamin E is preferable, since the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins may be decreased in some forms of liver disease.

A newer therapy for the treatment of liver disease is S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe). Normally produced by the liver, SAMe is necessary for many functions of liver cells. It is available as a dietary supplement.

Summary

Some types of liver disease are not curable, but with supportive care, the patient may still be able to live a comfortable, though shortened, life.





Hope i could help!!!

Answer 2

Canine liver disease is the fifth leading cause of death for dogs, and it’s estimated that three percent of all diseases veterinarians see are connected to the liver.

Canine liver disease has many causes, such as physiological, physical and chemical. It can be called “prior” or “after” liver disease. An example of “prior” liver disease would be a cancer; an example of “after” liver disease is a blocked bile duct.

The liver is the second largest organ in a dog’s body (after the skin) and is the workhorse of their body. It’s a specialized manufacturing and pollution control center, and is what makes the body function properly. The liver processes food eaten, manufactures the necessary building blocks, detoxifies and recycles the blood, and gets rid of the waste created. Since the liver is connected so intricately to the biochemistry of an organism, it can make diagnosing canine liver disease difficult. Liver disease can affect many body functions and in turn the liver can be affected by many other organs and systems of the body.
Canine liver disease has a myriad of causes, and what follows is only a partial list. Any number of traumas to a dog may result in liver disease: a hernia to the diaphragm, being hit by a car, a bruise or heatstroke. A diet that’s too high in fats can affect the liver; females are more prone to this than males. A dog with chronic infections (i.e. tooth problems) can contract liver disease. Fungal and bacterial infections can cause liver disease, as can parasites like heartworms and roundworms.

Certain drugs can cause side effects that result in liver disease, including acetaminophen, anabolic steroids, antibiotics, anesthetics, ASA, chemotherapy drugs, cortisone, corticosteroids, glucocorticoids, certain parasiticides given over extended periods, phenylbutazone and Phenobarbital.

Contact with toxins from pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, bleach, household cleaners and paint chips that may contain lead can all cause liver disease. Your dog could contract hepatitis, which is an inflammation of the liver. Cancer can overwhelm a dog’s system or metastasize directly to the liver itself and lead to issues.

Answer 3

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RE:
How serious is canine liver disease?
I am a 23 year old struggling student and I have a 4 year old Shih Tzu. I took him to the vet yesterday because he was very sick. The vet told me he needed to keep my dog over night to preform tests on him. I called the vet this morning and found out my dog has liver disease and mentioned something...

Answer 4

I've had 2 cats pass away from liver disease.

If the liver is going on an animal, it is the same thing as it going on a human: without a transplant, they die. And you just don't do organ transplants on animals. It's too expensive to even consider. And rarely is liver disease something an animal will get better with. The liver is critical to their well being, and it is always in use.

If the vet comes back and tells you that the liver problem is terminal, do yourself and your pet a major favor. Put it to sleep.

I am not being cruel here. The first cat that my family had that was diagnosed with this, we kept alive for almost a year. He lost over 50% of his body weight, his whole body began to stink, and he threw up constantly. Because he associated most closely with me, the only time he held food down was if I held him for a full hour or more after he ate. The poor cat was completely miserable, and our whole family suffered with him.

1 year later, that cat's brother started to have his liver fail, as well. After all the pain and suffering we had put the first one through, we made the quick decision to put the second one down, and fast.

I am sorry to hear about your potential loss, but please don't make your pet suffer, and through your pet, you and your family. Remember your dog as a healthy animal, instead of having the memory of how he looked when he was near the end.

I am still upset with myself for keeping my cat alive for that year. It is one of the only real regrets I have.

Answer 5

If detected early enough, acute liver failure caused by an overdose of acetaminophen can sometimes be treated and its effects reversed. Likewise, if a virus causes liver failure, supportive care can be given at a hospital to treat the symptoms until the virus runs its course. In these cases, the liver will sometimes recover on its own.
The best way to prevent liver failure is to limit your risk of developing cirrhosis or hepatitis. Here are some tips to help prevent these conditions:

Get a hepatitis vaccine or an immunoglobulin shot to prevent hepatitis A or B.
Eat a proper diet from all of the food groups.

In 2 year agos, my friend found many ways to treat his liver disease so he found a web and admit it,he know the natural measures to have effective treatment. you can see at here: http://adola.net/go/fattyliver-bible/

Good luck!

Answer 6

In veterinary medicine, hepatitis literally means an inflammation of the liver, not a viral infection like people. If your dog had increased liver values (ALT and ALKP)it could be caused by a number of reasons: ingestion of a toxin, infection, tumor, gall bladder disease or bile duct obstruction, muscle deterioration or injury, liver shunt and certain medications. The seriousness of it depends on the reason causing it. While biopsy is an option, I personally do an ultrasound first, as well as start the dog on antibiotics in case it is an infection. Consider seeing a veterinary internal medicine doctor, they have more experience dealing with these cases.

Answer 7

The liver is a wondrous organ in humans and in dogs. It performs multiple functions that are vital for good health and also has a remarkable ability to regenerate. However, even the liver has its limits and when it is overwhelmed by disease, causing scar tissue to form, the liver fails. A sick liver will struggle to perform its duties, and because this organ does so many vital things for your dog's body, you will need to counteract liver failure, which is considered a terminal illness for dogs, with a series of treatments

Answer 8

You will have to find out the name of the disease. There are many types. Some can be controlled by diet and meds. If it is something really serious, it can be costly if it really is cancer. So until you know what it is, it is a waiting game. sorry if this does not help.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

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