Liver Disease in Dogs: What Owners Should Know About This Condition

When your dog has a visible health problem, like a skin growth or a limp, it’s easy to notice the issue and address it right away. But when dogs have liver disease, it often goes unnoticed until it becomes critical. 

This is why it’s important to be knowledgeable about the potential causes of liver problems in dogs and to keep an eye out for the signs and symptoms. Regular veterinary visits are also key to spotting liver issues early, which can help prolong your dog’s life. 

What is liver disease in dogs?

Liver disease is a broad term used for a variety of acute (sudden) or chronic (long-term) ailments that affect this important organ. The liver is the second-largest organ in your dog’s body, and it performs a number of vital functions:

• It processes blood from the stomach and intestines to create essential nutrients. 

• It breaks down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates and turns them into substances that help the body function. 

• It acts as a filter for medications and removes toxins from the bloodstream. 

While this incredible organ has a large storage capacity, it is also prone to disease because it processes and stores toxic compounds. 

What causes liver disease in dogs?

There are several disorders associated with liver disease in dogs. Here are six of the most common causes. 

1. Acute liver failure

This is the sudden loss of liver function caused either by damage to a healthy liver or by stress on an already damaged liver. Causes can include trauma from a major accident, poisoning, and infections such as leptospirosis. 

Treatment options for acute liver failure in dogs include:

• IV fluids

• Changes in diet

• Antibiotics and other liver medications  

2. Acute hepatitis

Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver, which can be caused by a number of issues. 

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Acute hepatitis is when the liver becomes inflamed very suddenly. It can be caused by:

• Toxins 

• Viruses

• Medications

• Bacteria (mainly Leptospira)

• Fungi

Treatment for acute hepatitis usually includes supportive care such as giving fluids and medications. Antibiotics can help if the inflammation is caused by a bacterial infection. “A mild infection may be solved with a one-time treatment and never be a concern again,” said Abel Gonzalez, DVM, a veterinarian with Vetster.

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Clavamox (amoxicillin / clavulanate) is a prescription-only antibiotic that is often used to treat hepatitis caused by a bacterial infection. It comes in tablet form and is also available in a liquid form for small dogs. Clavamox needs to be given to dogs with food.

3. Chronic hepatitis

Dogs can also develop chronic hepatitis, which is long-term inflammation of the liver. This condition usually affects dogs ages 4 to 10. It can be caused by:

• Infectious canine hepatitis (ICH), which originates from the canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1) virus

• Bacterial infections

• Excess copper in the body

• Certain medications

Breeds predisposed to chronic hepatitis include:

• American and English cocker spaniels

• Bedlington terrier

• Dalmatian

• Doberman pinscher

• English springer spaniel

• Great Dane

• Jack Russell terrier

• Labrador retriever 

• Standard poodle 

• West Highland white terrier

If your pet is fighting a virus, it’s important to keep them hydrated and as pain-free and comfortable as possible. Like acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis is sometimes treated with antibiotics or other medications.

If left untreated, chronic hepatitis can lead to liver failure, the formation of scar tissue, and cirrhosis (extensive, late-stage scar tissue).

4. Tumors and cancer

Tumors in the liver can either start in the organ itself or spread there from elsewhere in the body. Ones that start in the liver are called primary tumors. These tumors are often seen in senior dogs and can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Hemolymphatic cancer is one type of primary tumor that emerges from blood cells or lymphoid tissue in the liver. 

The liver can also be affected if cancer in other organs metastasizes and spreads. Cancers that can spread from other organs to the liver include:

• Pancreatic cancer

• Breast cancer

• Lymphoma

If your dog has a primary liver tumor, your veterinarian may recommend surgery. The good news is that the liver can regenerate after surgery, even when a portion of it is removed. 

If the tumor is cancerous, or if the cancer has spread from elsewhere in the body, chemotherapy may be used to delay its progression. Dogs usually don’t recover from liver cancer, but how long they live depends on many factors. 

“I've seen pets go weeks to months, depending on the type of cancer, response to treatment, and ability to provide treatment,” Gonzalez said. 

5. Liver shunt

A portosystemic shunt (liver shunt) occurs when abnormal blood vessels allow blood to bypass the liver or go through it without being filtered for toxins. Dogs can be born with this defect. Or it can be caused by an underlying condition, such as high blood pressure, which is more common in older dogs. 

The following breeds are more likely to be born with a liver shunt: 

• Australian cattle dog

• Cairn terrier

• Golden retriever

• Irish wolfhound

• Labrador retriever

• Maltese

• Miniature schnauzer

• Old English sheepdog

• Yorkshire terrier

6. Poisoned liver

If your dog consumes a poisonous substance or takes too much of a medication by accident, it can cause damage to their liver. Examples of toxic substances that can cause liver damage in dogs include:

• Blue-green algae

• Cycad plants like sago palm

• Human foods and beverages like alcohol

• Xylitol, which is found in sugar-free candy and baked goods

• Essential oils such as tea tree oil

If you suspect your dog has consumed something poisonous, call a pet poison hotline. In most cases, you will need to bring your dog to the ER immediately. Depending on the toxin, an emergency vet may:

• Induce vomiting

• Pump your dog’s stomach

• Give your dog activated charcoal 

Never try to make your dog vomit without first consulting a pet poison hotline or a veterinarian. Sometimes, vomiting up a toxic substance can further damage a dog’s system. 

What are the symptoms of liver disease in dogs?

Here are some common symptoms of liver disease to watch out for in dogs, according to Gonzalez: 

• General malaise (weakness) 

• Lethargy 

• Vomiting 

• Diarrhea 

• Weight loss 

• Excessive drinking and urinating 

When the liver isn’t working properly, nerve and brain functions can also be affected. This is caused by the accumulation of toxins and waste in the body, Gonzalez said. Symptoms include: 

• Altered mental state 

• Seizures

• Unsteady walking  

In cases of severe liver disease, dogs can develop jaundice. Jaundice causes a dog’s eyes, gums, and/or skin to turn yellow.

Because liver disease is an umbrella term for a number of conditions, the symptoms vary and can be easy to miss. 

“All bodies react differently to disease processes, diagnostics, and treatments,” Gonzalez said. “The uncertainty can be the hardest thing to deal with for the family and the medical team.”

How do you diagnose liver disease in dogs?

Diagnosing liver disease in dogs can take time since it can be caused by a number of underlying conditions. If you suspect your dog has liver disease, your veterinarian will conduct a physical exam and ask about your dog’s medical history and current symptoms. 

From there, they may recommend some or all of the following tests to determine whether there’s a problem with your dog’s liver.

Blood tests

Blood tests can help identify diseases in the liver and other organs. For example, routine blood work can show if liver cell enzymes are elevated, Gonzalez said. This can signal to your vet that your dog’s liver may need additional attention. Increased liver enzymes can also indicate hepatitis.

Abdominal X-rays and ultrasound

X-ray images can show if the size of the liver has changed. “An increase [in liver size] can be inflammation, a mass, or genetic, and a decrease can be scarring,” Gonzalez said. 

An abdominal ultrasound can help provide more information about the condition of liver tissue. And in some cases, a contrast study is performed. This is when a vet injects a safe dye into a dog’s bloodstream to see if circulation to the liver is compromised. 

Biopsy

During a biopsy, a special needle is inserted into a dog under an ultrasound scan. Liver cells are then extracted and sent to a lab for testing. “You can see if there is inflammation, infection, accumulation of toxins, cancer, or other disease processes,” Gonzalez said. 

If your dog’s vet isn’t able to get enough information via a needle biopsy, they may recommend a surgical biopsy. During this procedure, your dog would go under anesthesia to allow your vet to collect a larger sample for testing.

How do you treat liver disease in dogs?

Treatment for liver disease in dogs depends on the underlying cause. But, Gonzalez said, it’s standard to provide supportive care to dogs with liver disease, regardless of their diagnosis. Supportive care can include the following. 

Low-protein diet

A diet low in protein minimizes toxins in the bloodstream. This type of diet is sometimes used for dogs with long-term, severe liver disease. 

Antioxidant supplements

Antioxidants, such as S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe), milk thistle extract, and vitamin E, help support liver function. Vitamin E also protects against extra copper. The recommended dosage of vitamin E for dogs is 50 IU to 400 IU per day. 

The supplement Denamarin combines SAMe and silybin (an active part of milk thistle) and is commonly recommended for dogs with liver disease. The recommended dosage is 1 tablet per day, given on an empty stomach 1 hour before mealtime. Dogs usually take the supplement for 15 to 30 days.

How long can dogs live with liver disease?

How long a dog lives with liver disease depends on a number of factors, including how early the disease is caught. When liver disease is detected before a dog shows symptoms, they have a longer life expectancy, Gonzalez said. 

If the condition is caught in its late stages, or if there is a rapid spread of cancer cells, a dog’s life expectancy is generally short. In these cases, veterinarians may recommend treatments to manage symptoms and slow the progress of the disease.  

The liver has an incredible ability to regenerate. Regular visits to the veterinarian — at least once yearly for adult dogs and every 6 months for senior dogs — can help owners monitor for liver issues. When certain liver conditions are caught early and treated promptly, dogs can regain normal liver function and live a long, healthy life.

“Early intervention, lifestyle changes, or further diagnostics can be discussed with a budget and timeline taken into consideration,” Gonzalez said. “The more we prepare, the less likely there are to be surprises [and] emotional and financial stresses.” 

Can you prevent liver disease in dogs?

In some cases, liver disease can be prevented in dogs. For instance, vaccinations can prevent causes of liver diseases like leptospirosis and infectious hepatitis. You can also protect your dog by making sure they don’t consume poisonous foods, essential oils, and toxic plants that can damage the liver.

Unfortunately, as mentioned above, some dog breeds are predisposed to chronic hepatitis and liver shunts. These causes of liver disease can’t always be prevented. If your pup is at a higher risk, ask your veterinarian for guidance. 

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Written by:

Lavanya Sunkara

Lavanya Sunkara is a writer and animal lover living in the suburbs of New York City. She has been a pet writer for more than a decade and is passionate about animal causes.

Edited by:

Renée Fabian, MA

Renée Fabian is the senior pet health editor at GoodRx. She’s worked for nearly 10 years as a journalist and editor across a wide range of health and well-being topics.

Reviewed by:

Ghanasyam Bey, DVM

Ghanasyam Bey, DVM, is from Cleveland, Ohio, and attended Princeton University for undergraduate studies. After a year of biology research at Duke University, he attended Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine.

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