There are numerous diseases that cause significant changes in the lives of our pets. The most frequent pathologies in dogs have become popular, but there are many disorders that will require only and exclusively the participation of the veterinary doctor, both to reach the diagnosis and to make the necessary corrections that return our pet to normal.
In this article on our site, we'll talk a bit about Fatty liver in dogs, a condition that affects the liver and which brings important consequences in the life of our best friend.
What is fatty liver in dogs?
First of all, we must take into account certain general considerations about the liver in order to better describe the consequences of this pathology. The liver is an organ of the digestive system that is present in humans and vertebrate animals. It is in charge of numerous functions, in which we can highlight:
- Removing toxins from the blood.
- Plasma protein synthesis.
- Glycogen storage.
- Digestion of lipids (here the gallbladder is involved).
A liver malfunction or absence is simply incompatible with life. Fatty liver disease, then, is nothing more than the excessive accumulation of fat in the liver, an issue that hinders its normal function and has consequences that if not attended to in time, they can put the life of our furry at risk. Breed is not a predisposing factor for developing the disease, although it has been described that appears more in large-sized dogs Age is usually important in this type of cases, elderly dogs being the most affected by the pathology.
Symptoms of fatty liver in dogs
Liver diseases are called hepatopathies and although they can differ in many things, the symptoms that the patient expresses are practically the same, and generally when they appear, they give us clues that the disease has already developed significantly. It is important to consider the aforementioned, since a misdiagnosis at the liver level can have unfavorable consequences for the evolution and recovery of the dog. Typical signs and symptoms of liver disease include the following:
- Vomiting: they are not present in all liver diseases, or at least not in all their stages, however, it is a symptom quite common digestive. When they appear, they are not related to diet or obstructions, making clear the possibility of an extraintestinal disease. They are not very common in dogs with fatty liver, but on some occasions they are present, it all depends on the damage to the organ.
- Diarrhea: usually appears depending on the animal's diet, since in the presence of fatty liver, the patient will find it much more complicated the digestion of lipids, resulting in this characteristic sign.
- Jaundice: this is a yellowish discoloration of the mucous membranes that appears in almost all liver diseases. Fatty liver is no exception.
- Hepatomegaly: Defined as an enlarged liver. It is important in these cases, since it can be diagnosed on physical examination and will give the veterinarian clues to include fatty liver disease among his presumptive diagnoses.
- Ascites: Abdominal inflammation associated with fluid accumulation. Generally, this condition is also caused by cardiovascular diseases, but in case the patient shows the above signs, the diagnosis will be associated with liver disease.
You may also be interested in this other article on Symptoms of a sick dog.
Causes of fatty liver in dogs
The cause of this pathology most of the time is unknown, being defined as idiopathic hepatic lipidosis. However, many authors have described that this disease is associated with certain conditions that we will name below:
- Diabetes.
- Obesity.
- Arterial hypertension.
- High fat diet.
- Metabolic disorders.
- Excessive steroid intake.
- Patients who have had hepatitis at some point in their lives.
For more information, you can consult this other article on our site about the most common diseases in dogs and their symptoms.
Diagnosis of fatty liver in dogs
The diagnosis of this pathology must be made with laboratory tests, after the veterinarian correctly relates the anamnesis and the data that were provided by the guardian with the patient's clinic. From the physical exam it is very important to take into account:
- The coloration of the mucous membranes.
- The size of the liver.
- If there is pain on palpation.
If everything points to liver disease in progress, the following tests will be performed:
- Hematology.
- Liver function tests (enzymes).
- Image tests.
- Abdominal ultrasound.
In some cases, a liver biopsy may be performed and this would be the test that gives us the most detailed information to reach the definitive diagnosis.
In this other article, we explain how to interpret a blood test in dogs?
Treatment of fatty liver in dogs
Until now there is no fixed treatment for the condition of fatty liver. You should change the pet's lifestyle and work based on the possible cause of the pathology. Diet is a very important factor. The dog that is diagnosed with hepatic lipidosis should consume a specific diet for liver patients It is also recommended that the patient lose weight if he is obese and that, of course, exercise regularly. For obvious reasons, steroid use should be discontinued if this is the case.
For more information, here you can consult this other article on our site about Home remedies for swollen liver in dogs.
