Liver disease is a non-painful condition, however dogs and cats can be nauseous, neurological or accumulate fluid in the abdomen, all of which require medication to control.
Dogs with end stage liver disease suffer symptoms related to the liver's inability to perform its functions: vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, weight loss, bleeding tendencies, jaundice (yellow color to skin and eyes), behavior changes, and in severe cases, seizures.
Chronic hepatitis cases can have an average survival rate of 2 to 3 years, depending on the severity of symptoms and how well the liver responds to treatment.
Few medical conditions are more devastating than acute liver failure (ALF), in which a previously healthy patient can undergo rapid deterioration in liver function and be near death within 5 to 7 days after the onset of clinical signs.
In the SUPPORT study of hospitalized patients with ESLD, 60 percent experienced pain, which was rated at least moderately severe most of the time in one-third [63]. A survey of 156 patients with cirrhosis found that more than one-half had a Beck Depression Inventory score indicative of a depressed mood [64].
Fluid buildup in the abdomen can develop and be uncomfortable. It may cause shortness of breath if there's pressure on the diaphragm. Fluid buildup may also cause nausea, loss of appetite, and abdominal and back pain . The person may also be at risk of developing an infection when this fluid is present.
When liver damage progresses to an advanced stage, fluid collects in the legs, called edema, and in the abdomen, called ascites. Ascites can lead to bacterial peritonitis, a serious infection. When the liver slows or stops producing the proteins needed for blood clotting, a person will bruise or bleed easily.
Diet changes often help. Your dog may need a special diet to make sure they are getting the nutrients and calories needed to help their liver. Supplements such as SAM-E or milk thistle may help the liver recover. Antibiotics are used for infections of the liver.
Fortunately, liver disease can be effectively managed and progression limited. Many dogs go on to live happily, years after their diagnosis. Proper nutrition and continuous dialogue with your veterinarian are key to managing your dog's liver disorder.
The liver can be infected by bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi. The most common viral disease associated with the canine liver is infectious canine hepatitis, which can cause inflammation and scarring. This is a vaccine-preventable disease.
Nausea. Just like people, dogs can get nauseous from motion sickness, medication, eating too much, or eating the wrong thing, such as a toxic plant. They also can get nausea from kidney or liver disease, as well as other diseases. Shaking may be a sign that your dog is nauseous.
Livers are regenerative, so if liver disease is caught early enough, dogs can recover and live a happy, healthy life. But in severe cases, your dog may require more intensive treatment and in extreme cases, liver disease may even be too advanced to be treated.
Abnormal liver enzyme levels can usually be detected in blood tests. In isolated cases it may be possible to surgical remove then affected lobe, however this is difficult. The prognosis in most cases is poor, deterioration is rapid once clinical signs develop and death usually results within 3-4 months.
“Things like organ meats and fish contain higher levels of certain compounds (purines, some of the amino acids) that can be particularly harmful for dogs with bad liver disease.
Prescription food for dogs with liver disease includes Hill's® Prescription Diet l®/d® and Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Canine Hepatic. Both of these low-protein dog foods for liver disease come in wet and dry formulas. These diets are considered to be among the best options for dogs with liver diseases.
Patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure may see their livers fail over weeks to months, compared to months to years as is typical in chronic liver failure.
Also, those with advanced stage cirrhosis have an average life expectancy of about two years.
Your liver can keep working even if part of it is damaged or removed. But if it starts to shut down completely—a condition known as liver failure—you can survive for only a day or 2 unless you get emergency treatment.
Liver failure can affect many of your body's organs. Acute liver failure can cause such complications as infection, electrolyte deficiencies and bleeding. Without treatment, both acute and chronic liver failure may eventually result in death.
Symptoms of ESLD
severe skin itching. easy bruising or bleeding. the buildup of fluid in your abdomen, arms, or legs. abdominal discomfort or pain.
Signs can include a decreased appetite, lethargy, fever, excessive urination and thirst, vomiting, weight loss, jaundice, bleeding problems, hepatic encephalopathy (see above), enlarged liver, and fluid accumulation in the abdomen.
In terms of primary liver issues, ingestion of certain toxins or chronic inflammation of the liver (due to infection, an over-reaction of the immune system, genetic disorders, etc.) tend to create the most significant ALT elevations.
Common cancers that can lead to metastatic liver cancer in dogs include thyroid cancer, osteosarcoma, lymphoma, intestinal carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, transitional cell sarcoma, mast cell tumors, hemangiosarcoma and mammary carcinoma.
Xylitol and paracetamol are commonly encountered substances which can cause liver toxicity in dogs. Some blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) and mushrooms produce compounds that damage the liver. Acute ingestion of some plants, particularly cycads, can cause liver failure in dogs.
The liver is supposed to break down the ammonia to make it less toxic, but in hepatic encephalopathy, the liver is compromised and cannot perform this task. This causes the ammonia and other toxins to build up in the brain, which causes confusion and mental deterioration.