The liver is a very important organ for dogs, like every living creature. The liver, which is of great importance in cleaning the blood, digestion, removing toxins and many more, can cause your dog to get sick if it does not work properly.
There are many different diseases associated with liver failure in dogs. Although some of these diseases can sometimes be life-threatening, the risk can be minimized if it is treated correctly and your pet is fed appropriate food and has a balanced diet.
What is Liver Failure in Dogs?
Liver failure in dogs is considered a very serious health problem if it occurs acutely. Acute liver failure may develop suddenly due to chronic health problems, or it may manifest itself gradually, starting from your dog’s puppyhood.
The liver in dogs has many important functions, from cleansing the blood to removing toxins. Liver failure can lead to many problems, from infections to nervous system problems and even hepatic encephalopathy occurring in the brain.
Liver failure in dogs can sometimes occur from birth or sometimes due to poisoning. This disease, which can occur in dogs at any age from puppyhood to old age, is a condition that must be treated quickly. If the disease progresses, many different dysfunctions can occur, from sudden deaths to paralysis and similar conditions. Liver failure in dogs is a disease that needs to be diagnosed early.
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What are the Causes of Liver Failure in Dogs?
There are many different causes of liver failure in dogs.
If a chronic disease is observed, it is important to feed the dog a suitable diet starting from puppyhood. Apart from chronic liver failure, acute liver failure may be caused by the following reasons;
- Contact with some plants: Some types of fungi, plants and blue-green algae can directly affect your dog’s liver. The disease can be triggered if your dog eats, smells, or even touches such plants.
- Leptospirosis: This bacterium, which is among the common causes of liver failure in dogs, can be transmitted from other dogs, dirty water and environments.
- Diabetes: Dogs with diabetes are much more prone to liver failure.
- Pancreatic problems: Liver failure may occur in dogs due to chronic pancreatic disorders.
- corn mold: Molds growing on corn can directly affect the liver because they are toxic to dogs.
- Nutrition: Not feeding your dog properly can cause many different problems, especially liver failure. Liver damage is seen especially in dogs fed fatty home-cooked meals. In order to keep your dog away from these and similar diseases, specially formulated foods suitable for your dog should be used.
What are the symptoms of liver failure in dogs?
Liver failure in dogs presents with different symptoms depending on the level of the disease. It is very important to remember that this disease, which shows fewer symptoms, especially at the beginning, can progress insidiously. In order to prevent liver failure, which is easier to treat if diagnosed early, it is recommended that you provide your pet with a balanced diet and do not neglect regular veterinary checks.
The most common symptoms of liver failure in dogs are as follows:
- Loss of appetite
- weight loss
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Thirst
- Unbalanced gait and lack of coordination
- More frequent urination
- Yellowish eyes, tongue and gums
- Weakness and fatigue
- Blood in urine or stool
- Bloating, fluid accumulation in the abdominal area
If you consult a veterinarian when these and similar symptoms begin to appear, you can diagnose the disease early and provide a much easier treatment.
How to Treat Liver Failure in Dogs?
Treatment of liver failure in dogs can be done much more easily and efficiently in the early stages of the disease. Different methods are followed depending on the stage of your dog’s disease;
- Nutrition and dietary changes: Changing your dog’s diet and choosing the right foods you use will often help you overcome liver problems. Treatment of the disease is easier with foods that provide the necessary vitamin and mineral balance while getting enough calories.
- nutritional supplements: Various nutritional supplements used under veterinary supervision can help improve your dog’s liver function. In cases where the disease does not progress, you can accelerate the healing process by switching to appropriate food along with nutritional supplements.
- Antibiotic use: Sometimes antibiotics can be used in the treatment of liver failure.
- Surgical intervention: In cases where the disease progresses and cysts and tumor formation occur, surgical intervention may be needed.
What Foods Are Good for the Liver in Dogs?
It is very important for your dog to have a diet that includes foods that support its liver in order to live a healthier life.
- Forest fruitsBerries such as cranberries, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries and blackberries, which are especially rich in antioxidants, support your dog’s liver health.
- leafy vegetables: Spinach, cabbage and similar leafy vegetables are among the foods that are good for the liver, thanks to the rich vitamins and minerals they contain.
- Oily fish: Fish with high fat content, such as mackerel, sardine and tuna, support the liver and prevent diseases thanks to the omega-3 they contain.
