Animal Chat

Save the Liver

There is an old Saturday Night Live sketch in which Julia Child is parodied. As she slices away, she declares “Save the liver.!” This is a great tip for cooks and pretty easy to do. In dogs, saving the liver is much more important and can be a lot harder to do.

Canine Chronic Hepatitis is the most common liver ailment in dogs. It presents with vague symptoms that simply indicate something might be wrong. It can be very hard for dog owners, especially in the early stages of the problem, to know that a serious, potentially life threatening condition is brewing.

Early symptoms can include weight loss, excessive drinking of water and excessive urination, a distended abdomen and a dull attitude. Jaundice, yellowing, the classic sign of liver trouble is often a later symptom of liver problems and occurs as the disease progresses. Jaundice is easiest to recognize in the whites of the eyes. Some owners may miss this sign as the white of the eye isn't easy for an owner to see in some dogs.

Canine Chronic Hepatitis is a sneaky problem in another way besides vague symptoms. The cause of the condition can come from many sources. Unfortunately in a large number of cases it is not possible to determine the cause. Known causes include certain classes of medications, several infectious diseases can lead to liver damage. In the Wimberley area, Leptospirosis could be the culprit. Sometimes genetics determine liver health. Breeds such as Labradors, Dobermans, Poodles and several terrier breeds can have a gene mutation that leads to liver problems.

Diagnosing the problem is not a straightforward procedure. It takes several types of tests together to definitively diagnose Canine Chronic Hepatitis. Blood tests together with an ultrasonic evaluation and liver biopsy generally will yield the information needed to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment for Canine Chronic Hepatitis varies on a case by case basis. Treatment of the symptoms along with dietary management is aimed at slowing the progression of the disease.

The earlier the condition is identified the more successful treatment will be. So if your dog has slight symptoms and something seems a little off it please give us a call or e-mail. We can discuss the issues of liver disease and hopefully make an early diagnosis that will respond well to treatment.