Overview
Your dog ’s liver is an telling organ , helping them to filter toxin , compilation food , and clot blood when necessary . Not only does the liver contribute to many functions that are essential for life , but changes to its size of it and structure ( such as expansion ) can also hint to your veterinary that your dog may have other wellness concerns . show on to find out what cause an enlarged liver in dogs , as well as how to handle it .
What Is an Enlarged Liver in Dogs?
An exaggerated liver in dogs is often a sign of an inherent condition . In veterinary medicine , an enlarged liver is come to to as hepatomegaly .
The liver perch just behind the diaphragm , which is the thin musculus that assort the chest from the abdomen . The bottom of the liver usually has sharp border and does n’t extend far past the ribs .
Most unremarkably , your veterinarian can monitor the size of your darling ’s liver through abdominal palpation and 10 - rays of the abdomen . If the veterinarian sees that the margins of the liver come out rounded and that the bottom of the liver is extend into the abdomen past the edge of the ribs , they may determine the liver is enlarged .
Causes of Enlarged Liver in Dogs
Some causes of exaggerated liver in dogs are harmless . Others may indicate a manageable rudimentary upset . In some fount , hepatomegaly in domestic dog indicates a sprightliness - threaten condition .
Causes of liver enlargement in click include :
Symptoms Associated with Enlarged Liver in Dogs
Most symptoms are really touch to the condition that is causing hepatomegaly rather than the enlarged liver itself . symptom may include :
Diagnosing Hepatomegaly in Dogs
Dogs with hypertrophied livers typically come to the veterinarian for other symptoms or for their routine wellness check .
Determining if the liver is enlarged is usually pretty simple . Some veterinarian may be able to tell if your favorite has an enlarged liver by looking at them and feel their venter , but if there ’s doubt , an X - ray or echography of the abdominal cavity typically shows hepatomegaly . balmy case may be more hard to detect .
Determining the reason for liver enlargement in dogs is a bit more complicated . When your vet is trying to cypher out what ’s make the liver to exposit , they ’ll almost sure do mundane bloodwork , an analysis of the dearie ’s urine , and imaging ( X - rays and/or abdominal ultrasonography ) .
Other tests may include :
How to Treat an Enlarged Liver in Dogs
discussion of liver expansion is gear toward the inherent cause . In some cases , such as an infection , the liver may return to its normal size of it after intervention . In other cases , such as continuing hepatitis or liver cancer , the liver may not fully bring back to its normal size .
During routine wellness visits , the veterinarian feel the abdomen and cheque liver function with quotidian bloodwork . In immature blackguard , these appointments should occur at least annually . In older dogs , usually at least every six calendar month . If your dog has an active condition that ’s touch on their liver , monitoring may ab initio be more frequent . Once your dearie is stable , your veterinarian can aid you decide how regularly to do check - ups .
Treatment for Specific Causes of Liver Enlargement
Liver Injury
In dogs who are experiencing liver harm that requires hospitalization , supportive care will be broach . This can admit :
Infections
antimicrobial are usually dispense for infectious causes of liver enlargement , in addition to supportive care .
For bacterial contagion , coarse antibiotics include :
Doxycyclineis commonly used for leptospirosis , and for fungous infections , antifungals like itraconazole are recommended . Viral infections are managed with supportive charge .
instigative and Endocrine Disorders
For instigative disorderliness like inveterate hepatitis , which often has an autoimmune component , treatment may include steroids and medicament that suppress the resistant organisation .
For endocrine disorders like Cushing ’s disease or diabetes , medications are give to wield the hormonal disorder . For Cushing ’s disease , this is typicallytrilostane , while diabetes is get by withinsulinand dietary changes .
Liver protectants may also be recommended , include SAM - e ( S - adenosylmethionine ) , silybin , and ursodiol . These typically come in the form of supplements .
Crab
When cancer is distrust , treatment options count on the extent of the neoplasm and whether it has disseminate . Treatment may include surgical process to take away tumors , chemotherapy , and radiation therapy .
Liver Cirrhosis
When liver disease in dog is continuing or uncorrectable , it will finally direct to liver cirrhosis of the liver , which can make the liver small and nodular and have devastating effect on liver function . This is not reversible and is the end stage for liver disease .
How to Prevent Enlarged Liver in Dogs
Most causal agency of liver enlargement can not be prevented . treatment of your positron emission tomography ’s risk can help you ascertain the appropriate stair to trim the hazard of infective diseases , such asvaccination against leptospirosis .
Although most case are n’t necessarily preventable , paying close attention to your deary ’s doings and even veterinary exams can aid catch upset that cause liver expansion early .
