Older dogs are prone to certain liver diseases such as chronic hepatitis liver inflammation liver cancer and cirrhosis end stage liver disease.
Treatment liver disease in dogs.
These diseases are not curable but can be managed.
Some diseases and medications can hurt your dog s liver.
However some liver problems are more serious than others.
A dog with liver disease may have trouble performing some of these biological processes which can lead to a really sick pet.
Some plants and herbs such as ragwort certain mushrooms and blue green algae.
Liver friendly diets are often high in digestible protein and low in sodium.
Signs of liver disease in dogs.
Learning how to spot liver issues before they become a full blown disease can prevent liver damage and get a sick dog back to full health.
It detoxifies the blood helps break down drugs metabolizes sources of energy stores vitamins and glycogen produces bile acids necessary for digestion and manufactures important proteins necessary for blood clotting.
The cost for treating liver disease in dogs depends on the diagnostic tests treatments and medications that are needed and it can get expensive.
Treatment for liver disease in dogs depends on the cause the severity of the condition the extent of liver damage and how early the disease is found.
The symptoms of liver disease in dogs will also vary greatly depending on whether the disease is acute or chronic and may include vomiting diarrhea weakness lethargy fever anorexia weight.
The liver is a multi purpose organ.
Other causes of liver disease may include.
However for most cases of liver disease vets advise dietary changes and supplements.
In 2016 the average claim amount for liver disease submitted by aspca pet health insurance customers was over 960 and several claims were for over 4 000.
In general the starting dosage of prednisone for inflammatory liver disease in dogs is 0 5 mg lb divided bid for 2 4 weeks followed by a decrease in dosage by one half at each of several ensuing 2 6 week intervals until an alternate day remission dosage of 0 1 0 2 mg lb is reached.