
The liver is a very important organ, since it intervenes in vital functions such as the elimination of waste products, the detoxification of blood or the production of enzymes.In this article of Animals and Pets Online we will talk about the consequences that cause pathologies that affect its functioning, which causes the liver failure in dogs , in this case.
We will see below what are the symptoms of liver failure in dogs, their symptoms and what will be the treatment more appropriate to apply.Read more!
The development of liver failure in dogs
The main problem with liver disease is that its first symptoms are nonspecific, which means that these can be confused with other diseases, thus delaying their diagnosis.dog can stop eating or do it in a smaller amount, can lose weight, vomit or, to a lesser extent, develop diarrhea.We can also observe that he drinks and urinates more than usual.It is at this time that We must seek veterinary assistance.
The liver will start to swell and, as the disease progresses, your cells will start to die.This fact causes your conformation to change, hardening in a way irreversible.It is what is known by the name of cirrhosis .Even so, the liver is able to compensate for its functions until a good part of its cells are dead.At this time it will fail and symptoms such as that we will see next.

Symptoms of liver failure in dogs
The symptoms that will cause liver failure are the following:
- Jaundice : when the liver does not do its job well, bile becomes accumulates in the body and this is what gives a yellowish tone to the mucous membranes and even the eyes.Also, for this same effect we will notice that the urine acquires a dark brown coloration.
- Encephalopathy hepatica : as the name implies it consists of the inflammation of the brain due to toxins present in the blood, such as ammonia.With this alteration the dog will be uncoordinated, disoriented, weak, we will notice changes in their behavior, hypersalivation or stupor.This symptomatology appears and disappears.In advanced cases seizures and even coma can occur.
- Ascites : is the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, in this case because the serum proteins decrease and the tension in veins that lead to bleeding increases e to the liver.
- Hemorrhages : can occur spontaneously in cases where liver failure is more advanced.They usually appear in the stomach, intestine or system urinary.Yes, we can see blood in stool, vomit or urine.Also bruises may appear on different parts of the body.
- Edema : Edema may appear, that is, fluid accumulation , in the extremities, also related to a decreased level of seric proteins.
It is important to know that liver failure has several causes.Therefore, we must diagnose the disease of origin to be able to treat it..
Causes of liver failure in dogs
As we said, different problems may be behind liver failure, such as poisoning (from insecticides, lead, drugs such as paracetamol, etc.), hepatitis, leptospirosis, filariosis, Cushing's syndrome, diabetes or tumors, both primary and metastatic.
The liver could also be damaged by the presence of gallstones or pancreatitis, and some abnormal veins, known as shunt , they prevent blood from reaching the liver, so that toxins are not eliminated and the dog has liver disease, which we have already talked about.There are different types of shunt.Some may be congenital while others may arise in a cirrhotic liver.
The treatment of liver failure in dogs
As we have said, the treatment of liver failure will depend on the cause that causes it.To reach the diagnosis the veterinarian can resort to tests such as blood tests , the ultrasound , the CT or the biopsies .If we are faced with an infection, we should treat it with the appropriate drugs, always prescribed by our veterinarian.and some tumors can be resolved with surgery.In the shunt it is also usually necessary to intervene and, if it is not possible, the encephalopathy that it produces will have to be treated.
In summary, it will be the veterinarian who decides the treatment of the disease but, also, of the complications, which usually involves the establishment of a specific diet and various drugs to improve coagulation, prevent seizures or avoid ulcers.The recovery and prognosis will depend of the damage that has been n produced in the liver.

This article is merely informative , at Animals and Pets Online we do not have the power to prescribe veterinary treatments or make any type of diagnosis.We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian in the event that it presents any type of condition or discomfort.
Yes Do you want to read more articles similar to Hepatic insufficiency in dogs-Symptoms and treatment , we recommend that you enter our section on Other health problems.
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