Liver disease is one of the most common causes of death in dogs, and so the conscientous dog owner must be vigilant at spotting its symptoms and making sure his or her pet dog receives prompt treatment.
Functions of liver
As with humans, your dog’s liver is an extremely important organ, responsible for a number of vital functions. These include Waste removal, detoxifying the blood. and formation of bile to help with efficient digestion.
If your dog exhibits any unusual symptoms, such as loss of appetite, unusual weight loss, and lying around with little or no energy or enthusiasm, then liver disease or a number of other conditions may be the culprit. Liver disease can also cause diseases in your dog such as cancer, diabetes, tumors, skin problems, and many more.
The liver is the largest internal organ in your dog (the same is true for human livers). The liver works 24 hours a day and carries the largest workload of all the organs, so it is not surprising that it can easily become stressed and unbalanced by a number of factors. Things such as poor nutrition, pesticides in the grass your dog lies in, and chemicals used to clean your house can all contribute to a stressed liver. And once the liver becomes overloaded and starts operating at less than optimal efficiency, the body’s other organs also experience extra stress and are vulnerable to illness and breakdown. (This is equally true for humans as it is for your pet dog.)
If your dog is not severely sick, a program of improved diet and detoxification may take care of the problems and restore your pet to health. There are a number of trained nutritionists who can help you with a nutrition program and recommend supplements that will help flush the toxins out of your dog’s liver and other organs and help them back to their top working condition.
Although canine liver disease can happen to any breed of dog at any age, certain breeds are more susceptible than others: Cocker Spaniels, Skye Terriers, and Dobermans are all known to have more liver problems than other breeds. No matter what kind of dog you have, if it begins to exhibit any unusual physical or behavioral symptoms, you should get it to a qualified veterinarian or animal hospital right away for a proper diagnosis. Early treatment can make all the difference in whether your pet recovers to live a long, healthy life.