🐾 Liver Disease in Dogs and Cats

Sometimes our dogs and cats are diagnosed with liver disease. When the liver isn’t working properly, pets often feel very unwell — tired, off their food, or just “not themselves.”

There are many different liver problems, and diagnosis can be challenging. The good news is that treatment is often rewarding, especially when disease is picked up early.

🧪 What Does the Liver Do?

The liver is a vital organ with many jobs:

• Produces and secretes bile to break down fats during digestion

• Processes and stores nutrients from food

• Stores vitamins and minerals

• Removes toxins and waste products from the blood

Because it is constantly processing substances, the liver is vulnerable to damage from toxins, infections, cancer, and other diseases. Damage can lead to inflammation (hepatitis).

• Early disease: the liver becomes swollen and enlarged

• Progressive disease: healthy liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue

• Severe disease: once 70–80% of the liver is damaged, changes are irreversible

⚠️ Causes of Liver Disease

Liver disease can develop from many factors:

• Infections – bacterial, viral, or parasitic

• Toxins or drugs – such as pesticides, antifreeze, or certain medications

• Endocrine disorders – diabetes, Cushing’s disease, or hyperthyroidism

• Genetic predisposition – common in some breeds

• Cancer – primary liver cancer or spread from other sites

🐶🐱 Symptoms of Liver Disease

Signs can be vague, but may include:

• Vomiting or diarrhoea

• Drinking and urinating more than usual

• Loss of appetite

• Weight loss

• Behaviour changes, confusion, or seizures

• Jaundice (yellow gums, skin, or eyes)

• Smelly breath

🔍 Diagnosis

At Pittwater Animal Hospital, we use a range of diagnostics to assess the liver:

Blood Tests

• Look for elevated liver enzymes

• Check albumin, a protein produced by the liver

• Bile acid test: compares blood samples before and after feeding to assess how well the liver “recycles” bile acids

Urine Tests

• Assess concentration (kidneys and liver work closely together)

• Check for protein, infection, or abnormal cells

Imaging

• X-rays: show size and shape of the liver and screen for abdominal changes

• Ultrasound: reveals nodules, masses, gall bladder issues, and surrounding organ health

Biopsy

• Provides the most definitive diagnosis, but is invasive and not always possible (especially if clotting is impaired).

💊 Treatment

Treatment depends on whether the disease is acute (sudden onset) or chronic (long-term).

Acute liver disease often needs intensive hospital care, including:

• IV fluids with electrolyte adjustment

• Antibiotics (if infection suspected)

• Nutritional support

• Medication for nausea or stomach irritation

• Careful monitoring of blood and urine

Chronic liver disease focuses on support and slowing progression:

• Diet changes to reduce workload on the liver

• Antioxidants and hepatoprotective supplements

• Lactulose to bind gut toxins

• Medications for nausea or discomfort

• Monitoring weight, appetite, and blood results

🛡️ Prevention

You can help reduce your pet’s risk of liver disease by:

• Keeping toxic substances (antifreeze, rodenticides, pesticides) away from pets

• Avoiding harmful foods such as chocolate, macadamia nuts, alcohol, and avocado

• Vaccinating dogs against infectious hepatitis and leptospirosis

• Maintaining a healthy diet and weight

• Scheduling regular check-ups with routine blood and urine testing

Routine tests at desexing, dental procedures, and senior checks allow us to track your pet’s liver values over time. Subtle changes can often be detected before your pet shows outward signs of illness.

❓ FAQs About Liver Disease

Make an Appointment with the Vet →

 Call us on 9913 7979

 Or email reception@pittvets.au

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