A diagnosis of liver disease in dogs (which may lead to liver failure in dogs) can leave you with many questions about what this means for your canine companion. Integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby is here to equip you with information about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of liver disease so you will know how to best support and care for your dog.
As a veterinarian, sometimes there is a patient who leaves pawprints on my heart forever, even if I’ve only known them briefly. Daisy was one of those dogs for me.
A beloved dog shows signs of liver disease
This senior Boxer came to the vet hospital with her very worried mom and dad because she wasn’t eating well and had been vomiting. While her sweet little stubby tail and whole back end were wiggling joyfully when I approached her, I could tell in an instant that she didn’t feel good.
As I started to love on her, I noticed something that made my heart sink. The whites of her eyes, her gums, and her skin had a yellowish tint. I knew that these were tell-tale signs of liver disease, and advanced liver disease at that.
When I finished my examination, I shared my suspicions with her parents. They agreed to start with some bloodwork to evaluate their dear dog’s liver and other organs.
Unfortunately, the bloodwork revealed that Daisy had sky-high liver values, which confirmed my fears of severe liver disease. As I broke the news to her parents and began to discuss the next steps, Daisy’s mom started crying. I will never forget Daisy lovingly looking up at her mom and tenderly licking the tears off her cheeks. It was all I could do not to start crying, too.
What is liver disease in dogs?
The term “liver disease in dogs” encompasses a variety of conditions or problems that may damage the functional cells in the liver. Should the insult destroy enough of the liver, this can lead to liver failure in dogs, a condition in which the liver can no longer function properly.
Thus, there is technically a distinction between liver disease (liver is damaged but still works) and liver failure (liver can no longer do its job). However, from a practical perspective, sometimes the terms may get used interchangeably, especially in cases of more severe liver disease.
What does the liver do?
In order to understand liver disease and liver failure in dogs, we first need to talk about the liver. This large, brownish-tan organ lives under the rib cage and has many vital roles. The liver is responsible for:
- Filtering blood to remove toxins from the body
- Synthesizing blood clotting factors
- Storing energy as glycogen
- Creating, circulating, and storing bile to aid in digestion
- Making albumin, a protein needed to help keep the fluid in the blood vessels
- Storing vitamins, minerals, and nutrients
- Metabolizing drugs
- Influencing the immune response
One of the really cool things about the liver is that it has the ability to regenerate cells that are damaged. However, even this amazing regenerative ability of the liver doesn’t always keep a dog from getting sick when the liver is damaged. And it can’t prevent a dog going into liver failure when the damage surpasses the liver’s ability to heal itself.
What are the symptoms of liver disease?
Dogs who have liver problems may show a variety of signs depending on the severity, speed of progression, and the underlying cause of the liver disease.
Symptoms of early-stage or mild liver disease
In the early stages of liver disease or with mild liver disease, a dog may be completely asymptomatic. Without seeing the indicators of liver issues on routine bloodwork, you would never know anything was amiss.
Symptoms of advancing or more severe liver disease
But as the dog progresses to the next stages of liver disease, or in the case of a more severe or rapid liver insult, you may notice clinical signs of liver disease such as:
- Vomiting and diarrhea—Your dog may experience GI upset such a nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- Fever—In the case of an infectious cause of liver issues, the dog may run a fever.
- Abdominal pain—Especially in acute liver failure, a dog may adopt a hunched or praying/play bow position due to a painful abdomen.
- Increased thirst in dogs and increased urination—The dog may drink more water and need to urinate more frequently.
- A lethargic dog—Dogs with liver problems may be tired or uninterested in normal daily activities.
- Loss of appetite—Due to not feeling well, your dog may turn up his or her nose at food or only eat a small amount of treats or food.
- Weight loss—As liver disease progresses, you may notice your dog losing weight.
Head to the vet if you see symptoms of liver disease
If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, contact your veterinarian immediately. Especially with acute-onset liver disease, the sooner the vet can start treating your dog the better. And since leptospirosis, a potential cause of liver failure, is zoonotic (i.e. transmissible to humans), getting to the vet promptly helps protect the health of your human family, as well as the health of your dog.
It is also important to be proactive about making a vet visit because these signs are not specific to liver disease. They can also can accompany other life-threatening conditions like pancreatitis in dogs or a GI obstruction.
Signs of liver failure in dogs or end-stage liver disease
Sometimes in liver disease the liver damage can be so extensive that the liver no longer has enough functional tissue to do its job. This means the dog is in liver failure. In that case, you will see symptoms that are related to the liver’s inability to perform necessary tasks in the body. Some of the signs of liver failure in dogs include:
- Jaundice (i.e. icterus)—The skin, gums, eyes, and other tissues may turn a yellowish color. This happens when excessive bile pigments build up in blood and tissues as the liver loses the ability to collect and handle bile.
- Ascites—When the liver no longer produces sufficient albumin to keep the fluid in the blood vessels, it can leak out into the abdomen. Dogs with ascites (i.e. fluid-filled abdomen) may have a pot-bellied dog appearance.
- Hepatic encephalopathy—Dogs may exhibit seizures in dogs, confusion, head-pressing, or other neurologic symptoms when toxins normally filtered out by the liver are present in the blood and reach the brain. It is important to note that hepatic encephalopathy is also a sign of a portosystemic shunt (which we will get to soon) so it doesn’t automatically mean the dog is in liver failure.
- Abnormal bleeding—Due to lack of clotting factors normally made by the liver, the dog may have bruising, dog nose bleeds, or other signs of spontaneous bleeding.
These symptoms may occur when the liver damage occurs rapidly (i.e. acute liver failure in dogs) and the liver hasn’t had time to regenerate. But they can also occur in the final stages of chronic liver disease. This is the point at which so much liver tissue has been replaced with scar tissue from ongoing liver disease that there isn’t enough functional liver tissue left.
Immediately make a vet visit if you notice symptoms of liver failure in dogs
Especially if you see any of these symptoms in your previously healthy dog, please head to the vet immediately or make an emergency vet visit. When it comes to acute liver failure, time is of the essence. As we will discuss, sometimes prompt and aggressive treatment can help reverse acute liver failure.
And even if you know your dog has chronic liver disease and you are seeing signs a dog’s liver is failing, it is important to seek veterinary attention. That way you can work together to find the best course of action for your dog.
What causes liver disease in dogs?
As part of the appointment, the vet will ask you questions about your dog’s history and symptoms. Having an idea if your dog could have gotten into anything or been exposed to any infectious diseases can help point to the cause of the liver disease. And so can knowing what sort of symptoms you are seeing and how fast they came on.
Often, your vet has to act a bit like a detective. There are many factors that can contribute to liver disease in dogs. Some toxins or conditions can cause an acute (i.e. rapid onset) form of illness. And others can lead to chronic (i.e. slowly progressive) liver disease.
Causes of acute liver disease in dogs or acute liver failure in dogs
Acute liver disease occurs when a massive amount of liver cells are damaged at once. In some cases, enough cells are rapidly damaged with no time for the liver to regenerate that the liver starts to fail. This is called acute liver failure. Acute liver disease or acute liver failure can happen for a variety of reasons including:
- Toxin ingestion—Since the liver is responsible for removing toxins from the blood, it would make sense that many toxins have the ability to damage the liver. Common substances such as xylitol toxicity in dogs, Advil toxicity in dogs, heavy metals, rodent poisons, insecticides, blue green algae toxicity in dogs, plants such as sago palm or Amanita mushrooms, or other toxins may be to blame. Additionally, some antibiotics, chemotherapeutic drugs or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, may also cause acute liver failure in dogs in some situations.
- Infections—Infectious canine hepatitis, leptospirosis, herpesvirus, fungal infections such as histoplasmosis, and other infectious agents can significantly and rapidly damage the liver.
- Trauma—Being hit by a car, suffering from heatstroke in dogs, or other emergency situations may also put a dog at risk for acute liver failure.
Causes of chronic liver disease in dogs
On the other hand, even though the liver is great at regenerating itself, chronic damage can lead to inflammation of the liver (i.e. hepatitis) and irreversible changes. This is known as chronic liver disease, and may eventually lead to liver failure in some cases. Some of the more common causes of chronic liver disease include:
- Ongoing exposure to toxins, medications, or infectious agents
- Immune-mediated diseases
- Liver cancer in dogs (cancer that originates in the liver or cancer that spreads to the liver)
- Portosystemic shunts—An acquired (i.e. happens sometime after birth) or congenital (i.e. present at birth) condition where an abnormal blood vessel (or sometimes multiple vessels) forms and allows blood coming from the GI tract to bypass the liver. As a result, this blood that would normally be filtered and detoxified by the liver is now going directly into general circulation. There, it can cause a variety of problems.
- Abnormal accumulation of minerals such as copper (i.e. copper hepatopathy) or iron in the liver
- Genetic predisposition—Chronic hepatitis (which in itself can be caused by a variety of issues on this list) is more common in Bedlington Terriers, Labrador Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, Doberman Pinschers, Skye Terriers, Standard Poodles, Springer Spaniels, Chihuahuas, Maltese, and West Highland White Terriers.
- Cholangiohepatitis—Inflammation of the liver and biliary system, often due to infection
- Idiopathic (i.e. cause is unknown)
- Endocrine disease including diabetes in dogs or Cushing’s disease in dogs
How is liver disease in dogs diagnosed?
In addition to gathering a history to start narrowing down the list of potential causes, the veterinarian may also run a variety of tests as part of diagnosing liver disease in dogs. Some tests indicate the liver is damaged while others help pinpoint the cause of the liver disease. These tests include:
Blood chemistry
Your veterinarian may start with blood tests for dogs to look for high liver enzymes in dogs (e.g. ALT, AST, ALP, GGT). Elevated ALT or AST may indicate damage to the liver. And high ALP in dogs and high GGT tend to be associated with backup of bile flow. Of course, there are also some conditions where all four enzymes might be higher than normal.
On the other hand, it is also possible for dogs to have liver enzyme elevations that are due to conditions unrelated to liver disease. Some examples include heart disease in dogs, muscle damage, bone growth, dental disease in dogs, and other situations. Therefore, your vet will interpret changes in liver values in light of your dog’s other examination findings.
Sometimes the vet will find elevated liver enzymes on blood work when your dog is sick. But in other cases, the high liver enzymes might show up as an unexpected finding on routine wellness bloodwork. This is probably one of the best-case scenarios. It means that your vet can create a plan to manage your dog’s liver issues before your dog ever acts sick.
Bile acid testing
The vet may also recommend running a bile acid test. This can be a useful follow-up blood test for a dog with liver enzyme elevations. While liver enzyme numbers indicate liver damage or bile flow problems, they don’t provide information about liver function. However, the bile acid test can help give the vet an idea of how well the dog’s liver is working.
A bile acid test involves measuring the amount of bile acids in a dog’s bloodstream before and after a meal. Bile acids are compounds that are made by the liver and aid in digestion. They are released into circulation after a meal. And then they are filtered back out of the blood by a healthy liver. Therefore, dogs with a healthy functioning liver should have low levels of circulating bile acids before and after a meal.
But in patients with liver disorders such as portosystemic shunts or liver failure, bile acids will remain in circulation. This occurs because the liver is not functioning properly to remove and store them.
Imaging
Your vet can use X-rays to look for changes in the size or shape of the liver. He or she may also recommend an abdominal ultrasound to evaluate the architecture of the liver and biliary system and screen for any cysts or tumors. Sometimes portosystemic shunts can be identified on ultrasound. However, the most reliable way to find portosystemic shunts is to use advanced imaging such as CT, MRI, or nuclear scintigraphy (i.e. injection of a radioactive isotope while images are acquired to look for abnormal blood flow).
Liver aspirate or biopsy
Having a veterinary pathologist evaluate the liver cells can help diagnose liver disease in dogs. Sometimes your vet can use a needle to obtain a small sample of liver cells under ultrasound guidance. He or she can then submit those cells for evaluation under the microscope.
However, in some cases, this method may yield inconclusive results. While more invasive, surgical removal of a larger tissue sample (i.e. a liver biopsy) can provide more definitive information about liver problems.
What is the treatment for liver disease or liver failure in dogs?
Once your vet diagnoses your dog with liver disease, he or she will discuss the treatment options. These may vary depending on the underlying cause of the dog’s liver issues.
If a toxin is to blame, your vet will take steps to prevent further absorption of the toxin. This could include inducing vomiting or performing gastric lavage (i.e. flushing out the stomach) in an attempt to remove the toxin left in the stomach. He or she may also give your dog medications to prevent further toxin absorption. Or the vet may administer an antidote to the toxin (if one exists).
If a bacterial infection like leptospirosis is causing the liver damage, your vet will start your dog on antibiotics. (As a word of caution, leptospirosis is zoonotic, which means it can spread from animals to people. Your vet will explain the precautions you should take to keep yourself and your family safe while caring for your dog.)
Additionally, certain medications and a specialized diet may help decrease the signs of a portosystemic shunt. However, this doesn’t work well in all cases.
Many dogs with a congenital portosystemic shunt require surgery to block blood flow through the abnormal vessel. The surgeon may place a band around the vessel that eventually closes the vessel completely. Alternatively, he or she may insert a metal coil into the vessel. A clot will form around the coil, obstructing blood flow through the shunt vessel.
Other causes of liver disease, however, are not so easy to treat. In those situations, the focus is primarily on supporting the liver and managing clinical signs.
Supportive care for dogs with liver disease
Dogs with significant liver disease, especially those with acute liver failure, may benefit from hospitalization, IV (i.e. intravenous) fluids, and supportive care. Your vet may also give your dog medications to address nausea, hepatic encephalopathy, clotting problems, abnormal build-up of minerals, or other liver disease symptoms.
Long term, dogs with liver disease may benefit from a specifically-formulated prescription “liver support” diet. Having the right balance of nutrients, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals can help boost the liver’s ability to do its many jobs.
Additionally, there are a variety of liver support supplements that can be a great way to naturally manage liver issues. Some of the more common natural treatment options for liver disease in dogs include:
- S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe)
- Silybin (milk thistle)
- Vitamin E
These supplements have anti-oxidant properties and help support liver function and health. You can find them combined together in a variety of commercially available products. For example, the popular liver supplement Denamarin® contains SAMe and Silybin.
Is liver disease in dogs preventable?
After learning about liver disease, it is understandable to wonder if there is anything you can do to prevent liver disease. Unfortunately, liver disease is not totally preventable. But there are a few things you can do to help decrease the risk of certain causes of liver disease:
- Ensure your dog is up-to-date on vaccinations for leptospirosis and infectious canine hepatitis.
- Keep toxic substances out of reach of your dog. Promptly contact your vet, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, or Pet Poison Helpline if you believe your dog has ingested a toxin. (The pet toxicology services do charge a fee, but the information they provide is well worth it.)
- If your dog is showing symptoms of liver disease, make an appointment with your vet or head to the nearest veterinary emergency room. Time is of the essence, especially in cases of acute liver failure in dogs. The sooner the vet can start treatment the better.
- Consider having your vet perform routine wellness bloodwork on your dog. This may allow him or her to catch and address senior dog liver problems before your dog begins to show any symptoms.
However, in many cases, there is nothing you could have done differently to avoid liver disease. So please don’t feel guilty or blame yourself. Instead, arm yourself with information and commit to helping your dog live his or her best life moving forward.
What is the life expectancy for liver disease in dogs?
When receiving a scary diagnosis like liver disease (or liver failure), it can be helpful to have an idea of what to expect. The prognosis can vary significantly depending on the cause and severity of the liver disease, whether it was acute or chronic, and how well your dog responded to treatment.
Acute liver failure
With rapid and aggressive therapy, dogs with acute liver failure may be able to recover. This is because the liver has the ability to regenerate (i.e. replace damaged cells with new healthy ones). However, this is not always the case as sometimes the liver damage is too extensive and ends up being fatal.
Slowly-progressing liver disease in dogs
Additionally, some dogs with certain chronic liver diseases can still have a fair to good prognosis. And they can still live reasonable-length life span. Although they may need special food or medications long-term, these dogs can still make many happy memories with their parents.
End-stage liver disease or severe and rapidly progressing liver failure in dogs
Unfortunately, though, for dogs with end-stage liver failure or liver cancer, the prognosis is usually poor. As dogs enter the final stages of liver disease, they may be nauseous, painful, or lethargic. Or they may be struggling with bleeding, ascites, or hepatic encephalopathy. All of these problems can greatly decrease your dog’s quality of life. And you may end up needing to have a difficult conversation with your vet about when to euthanize your dog with liver failure.
Daisy the Boxer dog’s diagnosis: End-stage liver failure
I wish I could tell you that Daisy’s story had a happy ending. However, this sweet girl was in end-stage liver failure and there wasn’t much we could do to reverse it. After a long and emotional talk with her parents, they decided to take her home and treasure their last few days together rather than hospitalize her. I think this was the right choice.
When they brought her back a week later, they told me about the memories they made together. We had talked at the last visit about preparing for your dog’s euthanasia, and they were at peace with the decision. Daisy once again licked her mom’s tears away as we talked about how they wanted her goodbye to go. And then she peacefully passed away in her parents’ arms.
Hope for dogs with liver disease
I don’t want you to think, though, that all cases of liver disease are going to end this way. Daisy’s story touched my heart, so I wanted to share it with you. But rest assured, I have also diagnosed many dogs with liver disease who have gone on to live happily for years after the diagnosis.
So please don’t despair if your dog has liver disease. Talk to your vet and get a realistic picture of what this diagnosis means for your dog’s particular situation. There are dozens of common causes of liver changes in dogs, each with its own treatment plan and prognosis.
Has your dog been diagnosed with liver disease?
Please comment below to share his or her story.
MY ROCKY HAVE LIVER DISEASE, JAUNDICE AND FLUID IN HIS ABDOMEN, HE HAS BEEN ON MEDICATION FOR THE LAST MONTH BUT HAD NO IMPROVEMENT.
I TRIED 3-4 LIVER SUPPORT SYRUP AND 3-4 TABLETS TWICE A DAY. I ADDED MILK THISTLE AS WELL. I ASKED THE VET TO PUT HIM ON FLUID THERAPY, BUT THE VET SAID IT WOULD BUILD MORE FLUID IN THE ABDOMEN, HE IS ALSO SAYING NO TO TAKING THE FLUID OUT, ALTHOUGH WE TOOK 1.2 LTR FLUID OUT A FEW DAYS BACK. NOW I FEEL HE GOT AT LEAST 4-5 LTR FLUID IN HIS ABDOMEN
HE EAT ONE DAY THEN STOPS EATING THE NEXT DAY, WE HAVE FORCED HIM TO SYRUP AND TABLETS, MIX AND PUT THEM IN HIS MOUTH WITH A SYRINGE.
Hi Pushpendra,
My heart goes out to you as you face this difficult situation with Rocky. I understand your concern and wish there was something I could do to help. Unfortunately, without examining him myself, I can’t offer specific conclusions or recommendations. The devastating part of liver disease is it does eventually turn into liver failure. Despite you and your vet’s best efforts, there will come a time when treatment just doesn’t work, and you will have to make a decision about your boy’s quality of life. Sometimes saying goodbye is the most loving option and only way to prevent unnecessary suffering. Don’t hesitate to ask your vet for their honest opinion about Rocky’s prognosis. Hoping you can get the answers needed to find the best way forward. Bless you and your sweet boy.
Hi, I have a 15.9 yorkie, Since feb of this year 2024 she started to have high liver enzymes. In the beginning I thought because I gave her food I never gave (rice and lamb),, well to make the story short I have been be able to lower those numbers despite all my efforts. In the ultrasound looks like she has some cyst that look benign. I wonder if it a Cooper problems because I never gave her food that is not home cook and when she got sick I gave her Just for dogs (rice and Lamb).. I dont know what else I can do or I can take her… I am so frustrate and sad, She is still eating and looks alert. She doesn’t have diarrhea or vomiting.
Hi Shirley,
I am sorry your senior girl is starting to show some liver dysfunction. Honestly, this may just be a normal progression with age and could have nothing to do with her diet. I know you want to do what you can to keep her liver stable and offer her as much time as possible. Have you tried a liver supplement such as milk thistle or Denamarin? If not, I encourage you to discuss this with your vet and see if your girl is a good candidate for this type of therapy. Try to make the most of the time you are gifted. What a blessing you have spent almost 16 years together! Wishing you many happy days ahead. Bless you both.
im now waiting for blood tests results as my beloved doggy has suspected liver failure due to being on long term steroids her urine dip tesr showed up with bilburin and is a bit jaundice in her eyes im going out of my mind its now saturday we get the results tuesday wish us luck
Dear Sara,
I am sorry you are facing this worrisome situation with your pup. I understand your concern and hope the results will be better than what you are expecting. Feel free to leave an update and let us know what you find out. Praying for comfort and strength as you navigate this unknown path.
I HAVE THE SAME, BULBURIN INCREASED TO 2.3 DESPITE MEDICATION FOR A MONTH. I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO
JAUNDICE , LIVER DISEASE AND FLUID IN ABDOMEN , HE STOPPED TAKING MEDICINE AND FOOD AS WELL
5 yrs ago- I will never get over losing my big boy to this disease – the worse of it all were the high-very high doses of Prednisone that caused his legs to become week and a terrible skin condition on his back and shoulder where he was loosing his fur. It was a very traumatizing experience and I will never get over it. I’m not sure what could of been done but it seemed everything happened so fast – I still say the Prednisone sealed his fate. He stopped eating and couldn’t use his back legs. and was loosing weight rapidly- 120lbs to 94lbs. so please keep an eye on your senior pups. I still feel I could of done a lot more for him.
Dear Bee,
I am so sorry for the loss of your boy. It is clear he was dearly loved, and I am certain he knew how much he meant to you. Thank you for being willing to share your story with us. Praying comfort and peace. Bless you. ♥
I’m facing liver disease for my 11-ish rescue Chi. She had a few bouts of random vomiting and we changed food. but last Sat she got really bad- vomiting frequently, even vomiting water. having accidents when she is potty trained, not wanting to eat, vomiting white and yellow. I took her to the ER vet and they said all her liver levels were through the roof. they gave cerenia, pepcid, fluids, metronidazole, entyce, denamrin with a 103.9 fever. She’s just not doing well still. She has thrown up 5 more times. since then, takes maybe 1 bite a day of boiled chicken or ground beef. Entyce not really working. vomiting meds. I even gave her Rebound liquid replacement and she vomited it back up. She won’t go for walks, hasn’t had a bowel movement since Sat, dark urine produced frequently. Not wanting attention. I’m at a complete loss. I have a recheck with her vet Sat and I’m scared she won’t even make it. I have no idea how to get her to live, what is this?! Why did it happen, is she in failure? These are things I ask myself. I’m beside myself. I lost my last dog to kidney failure 4 yrs ago and I’m scared to lose Mercy too. thank you for listening.
Dear Sissy,
My heart goes out to you as you face this difficult situation with Mercy. I understand your concern and agree what you describe is very worrisome. Without playing a personal role in her medical care it is hard to make specific conclusions. I am suspicious she may be facing liver failure or other complications that need to be addressed right away. Sometimes despite our best efforts a dog’s body is just past the point of being able to respond to treatment. Your vet can help you navigate these tough decisions and help you do what is best for Mercy. Praying for healing and comfort for your sweet girl. Bless you both. ♥
My dog has been diagnosed with liver failure not sure of cause but not cancer or infection her liver enzymes are current 2500 she is lethargic and off her food although the appetite medication and Denamarin are helping and I am managing to get her to eat every day. She is on hepatic food and chicken and Turkey. She has 50% of her liver function I’ve seen a slight improvement today. Is there a chance I could save her by caring for her the way I have been? Is there a chance her liver could regenerate or is it too late? She has very slight yellowing of the eyes if you look closely enough.
Dear Krete,
My heart goes out to you as you face this tragic diagnosis in your pup. If the liver issue was an acute injury, there might be some hope that with intensive care the liver could start to function more normally again. But if your girl’s eyes are already showing signs of jaundice and your vet has established this is truly liver failure, then unfortunately it will be progressive. You may be able to extend her life by weeks or months with the wonderful care you are giving her. Try to make the most of the time you are gifted and focus on comfort and joy. Wishing you peace as you navigate this emotional path. Bless you and your sweet girl.
Dr. Buz…. this website and your blogs have nearly saved my heart from crumbling over the last year 6 months. I have a 20 yr old Aussie/German that I fostered and rescued when she was 3. she’s had so many issues from a few seizures when she was young to vestibular imbalance 4vyrs ago. aside from that…. no one would ever know until the vestibular stuff and even at that she’s been great. the vets here in Franklin tn have NOT been helpful in explaining anything ever even down to telling me no blood work needs to be done and she’s just old?
she now how degenerative myleopathy and is still great into her 3 stage.
question, do you see liver and kidney elevation in dogs with VI or DM?
Hi Kat,
I am sorry your senior girl is facing so many issues at once. But Wow! 20 years old is amazing! While anything is possible, I would not expect vestibular disease or degenerative myelopathy to affect the liver and kidneys. If you are unhappy with the level of care you have been receiving, it is ok to seek a second opinion or get your girl established as a patient at another clinic. Not every hospital is the right fit for every client, and you deserve to feel comfortable and confident in the vet with which you have partnered. Hoping you can find the answers you need to maintain your sweet girl’s health and well-being. Best wishes to you both. ♥
My 10 year old cairin terrier has elevated liver enzymes. This was discovered during his routine physical. Eight months ago. He was put on defamation and his ALP went down from 571 to 408. His ALT & GGT were normal. He shows no outward symptoms and he had a bile test as well.
His vet took him off the denamarin for three months. Today we had blood work to check his enzymes and his ALP went up to 729.
I am upset that it would not have gone up if he was kept on the denamarin.
Have we made a mistake in doing this? Have we caused him more harm?
He starts the denamarin tomorrow. Any suggestions? I need to feel at ease.
Hi Michael,
I understand your concern for your pup with this elevated liver enzyme. While it is possible if he had continued taking the Denamarin the ALP may have remained at the same level, it is also possible that the Denamarin was not the reason for the decrease and the changes would have occurred anyway. Many times, in my own patients I have seen a decrease in ALP with the use of Denamarin and then even with continued use the ALP will eventually begin to rise. Denamarin is a great supplement but will not resolve or cure chronic liver dysfunction. I do use it in patients with chronic disease hoping it will slow the progression. It is best at helping the liver to repair itself if it is suffering from an acute injury that caused mild but not ongoing damage. With all that being said, since your dog’s ALP has increased, I would highly recommend you being the process of getting a diagnosis. Your vet may want to do more testing which could include lab work or even abdominal ultrasound. It is also an option to schedule a consultation with a specialist. I hope you can find the answers you need to get your sweet boy back on the right track. Wishing you both the best and praying for a positive outcome.
Hi. We took in a 3 year old stray from the shelter who we thought was in liver failure. Turns out he’s not a hospice dog but he does have chronic liver disease. He’s been with us for 4.5 months now. He’s a black German Shepard that was skin & bones at 55 lbs when we brought him home. He’s gained 17 lbs & now weighs 72 lbs:) He has very elevated liver enzymes as we know from his bloodwork & jaundice. No other symptoms. He eats, drinks & has good energy. An ultrasound showed no physical damage to his liver. No idea how he got the disease or what stage of the disease he’s in or how long he has left. Any ideas? Advice? He’s on denosyl & ursodiol. We’re weaning him off prednisone. Thanks:)
Hi Christine,
I am glad your big guy is feeling good despite his liver issues. Thank you for taking a chance on a senior shelter pup. They are some of the BEST dogs! Since I haven’t examined him myself, I can’t make specific conclusions. I can say that if he was my patient, I would want to rule out tick borne diseases and especially leptospirosis since it is contagious to humans. Other than that, you could look into a consultation with a specialist and your vet can make the referral if needed. It is never wrong to offer palliative care and just let this sweet boy live out his days. Having a specific diagnosis doesn’t necessarily mean a better quality or quantity of life. Hoping things are still going well and praying for many happy days ahead. Bless you both.
Hi. Our boy, Tux, passed away 9 months after we brought him home. Turns out he was a hospice pup. Probably only 3-4 years old. A very good boy whom we’ll never forget:) In the end, he developed a sudden & severe onset of Ascites & we said goodbye to him after giving him a Christmas with us (in October!). Rest easy buddy.🐶💙🌈
Dear Christine,
I am so sorry for your loss of Tux. Thank you for offering him love and making the most of his short life. May his memory stay with you forever. ♥
Our Pug Moe came down with pancreatitis and was treated, but soon after developed jaunadice which our Vet felt might be fatal. We treated him with antibiotics (2 types) syringe fed him, because he would not eat on his own (would drink water) and found out about a supplement known as denamarin through our Vet and another called Gastroelm. He recovered and his blood work is normal now. We still give him the denamarin and gastroelm. He was about 9 years old when he got sick and now he is 13. Our Vet considers him a miracle and credits the cure to My Wife and I because we never gave up.
Hi Brian,
What a blessing Moe was able to pull through and still be a source of joy in your lives! I love Denamarin and frequently recommend it for my own patients. Thank you for sharing your story with our readers. This may be exactly what someone else needs to hear to hold onto hope and keep fighting for their pup. Wishing you all the best and give Moe a hug for me!
Hi,I have a almost 4 year old Boston Terrier girl.We are under her Vet Dr. care as our girl had elevated liver enzymes and at first thought it was her pancreas.Have had lot’s of blood work done and Ultrasound.She is on Hills Science diet Liver Food and takes Pepcid Ac 1/2 of 10mg and takes a antibiotic 1/4 of a pill.Late April we’re going to have blood work done for her liver and other blood work and then see the vet again.She is having a lot of nausea.She stoped going for outside walks for almost two years but these last few months have started walking again for walks.She stops sometimes when we walk and stairs like a blank look and sometimes I think she is nausea.She has no appetite usually in am but will eat in evening.She has been vomiting white looking couple times a week.She is very sleeping and not playful in morning but night time likes to play.What are yr thoughts appreciate any knowledge.Thank You ,for yr time
Hi Becky,
I understand your concern for your Boston and these new changes to her behavior. Without examining her myself, I can’t make specific conclusions or recommendations. I am glad you have a follow up appointment scheduled with your vet for the end of the month. You may want to make sure your vet is aware of these new issues and see if they would like to see your pup a little sooner. There is a chance these could be symptoms of something serious that needs to be addressed quickly. How is your girl feeling today? Hoping all is well. Wishing you both the best.
my 15 yr old doxen started to have lver and kidney issues showed from blood work done at vet. he was fine one day and stopped walking the next. we tried home laser therapy and he started walking again. hiwever blood work again at the vet showed double liver and kidney levels. he has a enlarged heart and is on heart meds lasix . wondering could meds affect theliver and kidney issues. hill sci kd food could affect liver recommended by vet? poisen dog food because he wont eat it but he will eat other food? im in a panic about all of this! old age? dont know how a real well dog all of a sudden gets real sick
Hi Darlene,
I am sorry your Dachshund is having so many issues and his health is declining. Unfortunately, since I haven’t examined him, myself, it is hard to make specific conclusions and recommendations. It is very possible and quite common for kidney and liver issues to appear suddenly with little to no warning. I would not think the heart medications would cause kidney and liver problems, but heart disease can definitely affect the other internal organs. I would not jump to the conclusion of your dog food being poisoned just because your pup doesn’t want to eat it. The number one complaint we get about prescription diets is that dogs don’t like the taste as much as their regular food that has all the extra fat and calories. Please make sure you are staying in contact with your vet and discuss your concerns. They can help to give you peace of mind and guide you through this difficult time. Wishing you the best and praying for a positive outcome for your sweet pup.
7 years ago my doxie started being lethargic and in pain, not eating and his abdomen began to show ascites, and having black tarry stools.. Took him to the ER. They gave him plasma and medications. He stayed over night and went home the next morning. The as it’s continued to get worse and took him back twice for paracentesis of the abdomen and did a ultrasound.This all happened in three weeks. I was a mess and in shock and nothing helped. We decided to do the selfless thing and let him go to the rainbow bridge.. To this day, we really never got a true diagnosis. This past year I called the ER for the documents of what happened during that time. I looked them over to find something in there, but never really got any information from it, as I am a registered nurse. I really wish they had more info, like the US, the lab work, etc. I still feel lost about it. I feel as if it was liver disease but I’ll never know. I was in so much shock when it all took place and just three weeks, so I’m sure it was acute not chronic liver disease. It just breaks my heart. I don’t know if this will help anyone, so that’s why I posted it. Sure miss my Cruiser boy.
Dear Melinda,
I am sorry you lost your sweet boy in such a tragic way. It sounds like you did everything you could to give him a fighting chance. Of course, without knowing all the case details I can’t make specific conclusions. But it does make me suspicious about a possible ruptured splenic tumor. Hemangiosarcoma is one of the more common cancers we deal with in veterinary medicine and many times it presents exactly as you described. It often occurs without much warning and forces owners to make fast decisions about quality of life. Liver disease is also a possibility and unfortunately, we will probably never know for sure what caused the chain reaction of terrible events. Thank you for being willing to share your story. May Cruiser’s memory live on and continue to be a blessing in your life. ♥
I have a 10-month-old chiweenie who was dx’d @ 7 months old with liver disease. She was put on Pepcid, 1/2 tab daily and lactulose 2 mls 3 x daily. She seems to being relatively well, she does have very loose stools most of the time and I am struggling to get her to eat on the regular. I have tried both dry and canned formulas of the RX food. I have made homemade recipes as well. She did have her blood redrawn a few weeks ago and was told that levels have improved. What do I do to get her to eat?
Hi Sheila,
I am sorry you are dealing with liver disease in such a young puppy. I am glad to hear her lab values are improving and the medications are keeping her stable. Make sure your vet is aware of the decreased appetite in your pup. They may decide to try an additional medication for nausea. It is also common to prescribe probiotics and maybe even an appetite stimulant in these cases. Here is an article with more information: How an Appetite Stimulant for Dogs Can Help Your Pup Eat With Gusto Again
I hope you can find the right treatments to restore your sweet girl’s quality of life. Praying her liver disease can be resolved and she has many happy years ahead.
My 17.5 yr old Chloe was found to have elevated enzymes when she was 14. I chose not to biopsy and focused on feeding her a home cooked hepatic diet and giving supplements to support the liver. 3.5 yrs down the road, I’ve seen signs of what I think are CCD in her and the biggest issue is our struggle the past 5 weeks to get her to eat. Up until then, she was very good motivated. Now, she has little interest, and even if I hand feed- many times, she lets it drop out of her mouth, like she doesn’t know to swallow. What she may eat a little of yesterday, she wont eat today. Entyce was prescribed 3 weeks ago along with Pepcid AC, but isn’t really helping much. It’s stressful and upsetting knowing she isn’t getting adequate nutrition. She sleeps most of the day and night, is vomiting sometimes, has both constipation and diarrhea, is incontinent several nights a week, drinks more water than usual. The vet saw her two weeks ago and said to just try to keep her eating and drinking, doesn’t matter what, because the liver will be her demise. I’m afraid it’s going to be starvation. I’m thinking about quality of life, and what I should do next. She still interacts with us but hasn’t played with toys for many years now and even though I take her outside, she isn’t interested in staying out very long and just wants back in the house. Any thoughts, insight, advice are welcomed.
Dear Franc Bros,
I think you are wise to be concerned with Chloe’s quality of life. It does sound like she is struggling and her health is declining. If she were mine, I would be considering euthanasia as a loving option. It is a difficult choice, but is completely unselfish and offers peace, rest, and dignity for a life well lived. I will attach links to other articles that may offer additional information and great comments from other readers. I hope you can find the answers you need to make the best decision for you and Chloe. Praying for comfort for your sweet girl and for your heart.
1. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
2. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
3. Dog Euthanasia: Knowing When to Say Goodbye
4. Dog Hospice Care Can Bring Peace and Dignity to Your Dog’s Final Days