Liver disease is a commonly diagnosed problem in both dogs and cats. There are many different causes of liver failure and the prognosis ranges from good to poor depending on the specific cause and the individual animal.
What Is the Liver's Function in the Dog and Cat?
The liver has many different functions in the canine and feline. It detoxifies the blood, synthesizes proteins and produces many of the chemicals necessary for digestion to occur normally. It also metabolizes carbohydrates and lipids and produces coagulation factors that are necessary for proper clotting of blood. In addition, it acts as one of the major storage systems in the body. These are only a few of its functions.
Needless to say, when the liver fails to function normally, the situation can become quite serious.
What Causes Canine and Feline Liver Disease?
There are many different diseases that can affect the liver and cause it to fail. These causes include:
- viruses, such as the canine adenovirus
- bacteria, such as leptospirosis
- parasites
- toxins or poisons
- metabolic diseases
- neoplasia (cancer)
What Are the Signs of Liver Failure in the Dog and Cat?
In the early stages, liver failure may cause a lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss and an increase in thirst and urination.
As liver failure progresses, jaundice may become noticable. Jaundice is also sometimes called icterus and refers to a yellow coloration to the skin, gums, tongue, sclera (white part of the eyes) and other mucous membranes.
Ascites may also be seen and is an accumulation of fluid within the abdominal cavity. Ascites will make your dog or cat look bloated.
Bleeding and bruising may also occur because the liver is not able to produce adequate levels of coagulation factors to control clotting. Blood may be seen in your dog or cat's urine, vomit or feces. Your pet may also have bruises under his skin or small pin-point areas of hemorrhage on his gums.
Hepatic encephalopathy is a brain disorder that occurs as a result of abnormal levels of ammonia and other toxins in the blood reaching the brain. Normally, a healthy liver would metabolize these toxins and keep their levels low. However, the failing liver is unable to properly metabolize the compounds leading to an increase in their blood levels. Incoordination, episodic weakness, disorientation, head-pressing, behavioral changes, drooling, stupor, and mental dullness are seen with hepatic encephalopathy. The symptoms will be more severe after your pet has eaten a meal, particularly a high-protein meal. Seizures and coma may occur as well.
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