Liver disease in dogs and cats can occur at any age, from young puppies and kittens to senior pets. Early signs are often vague. Affected pets may seem quieter, eat less, or lose weight. Jaundice may appear as yellowing of the eyes, mouth, or skin, and urine may look darker than usual.
Early detection is key to managing liver disease effectively. Subtle changes are often picked up during routine pet health checks for dogs and cats, which help catch issues before they become more serious.
What Causes Liver Disease in Cats and Dogs?
The liver is a vital organ located at the front of the abdomen in both dogs and cats. It plays an important part in metabolism by producing important substances for the body and breaking down waste products and toxins for safe removal.
Liver disease in dogs and cats can have many causes. Some pets are born with a condition called a porto-systemic shunt, where blood bypasses the liver. This is a genetic issue, and signs often appear in puppies or kittens.
Infections caused by bacteria or viruses can also affect the liver, especially in young animals. For example, Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is a serious virus in young cats that can lead to liver damage along with other complications. Toxins such as certain foods, plants, or chemicals can also harm the liver in pets of any age.
More commonly, liver disease occurs in middle-aged to older pets. Inflammatory conditions like hepatitis or cholangiohepatitis, fatty liver disease (hepatic lipidosis) in cats that stop eating due to another illness, and cancers such as lymphoma or adenocarcinoma are frequent causes.
How Would I Know if My Pet Has Liver Disease?
Animals with liver disease can show a variety of signs. These signs are often subtle and may be mistaken for issues related to the heart, kidneys, intestines, or even cancer. The most common symptoms include:
- Reduced appetite and weight loss
- Lethargy/tiredness (quieter than normal)
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Abnormal behaviour/seizures (more common in animals with liver shunts)
- Puppies/kittens with poor growth or weight loss (liver shunts)
- Swollen abdomen is seen with some types of liver disease
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin, gums, eyes)
If you notice any of these symptoms in your pet, especially if they persist or worsen, contact your trusted veterinarian for advice and further testing.
How Is Liver Disease Diagnosed in Dogs and Cats?
To diagnose liver disease in dogs and cats, your veterinarian will begin with a thorough physical examination. Routine blood tests can reveal signs of liver damage or poor function.
In many cases, a bile acid stimulation test is used to check how well the liver is working. An ultrasound scan may also be recommended to assess the liver’s structure and detect issues such as cysts or tumours.
In many pets, liver disease is caused by inflammation or cancer. These conditions usually require a sample of liver tissue to confirm the diagnosis. This can be collected using a fine needle, guided by ultrasound, or during a surgical procedure, depending on the case and what’s safest for your pet.
Can Liver Disease in Dogs and Cats Be Treated?
Some liver diseases, especially inflammatory types, respond well to medication. These treatments may need to be continued for weeks, months, or even long term, but the outlook is often positive. Special diets and liver support supplements can also aid recovery and help protect the liver after damage.
A few liver conditions may require surgery, though this is less common. Gallbladder stones or mucoceles sometimes need to be removed, and in some cases, individual cysts or tumours can also be surgically treated.
Unfortunately, certain liver diseases do not respond well to treatment. Conditions like FIP, FIV, and polycystic disease currently have limited treatment options. Lymphoma of the liver is a common cancer; while chemotherapy may help in some cases, strong responses are uncommon.
Animals may live quite a long time with liver cancer, even if these are malignant – depending, of course, just how ill they are when the disease is found and that any pain can be controlled.
What Happens if Liver Disease in Pets Is Left Untreated?
The outcome depends on what’s causing the liver issue. Mild problems often don’t cause noticeable symptoms, but if your pet is unwell at home, the condition is likely more serious and unlikely to resolve on its own.
Sometimes, signs of liver damage appear during blood tests done for another reason. If there are no clear symptoms, your vet might suggest monitoring your pet rather than starting treatment right away.
To better understand what’s going on, your vet may recommend further testing. This could include a bile acid stimulation test or an ultrasound to check how the liver is functioning and whether any structural changes are present.
What Ongoing Monitoring is needed?
Frequent monitoring of your pet’s blood test is needed, especially in the early stages after diagnosis of liver disease. If your pet required hospitalisation due to illness related to the liver disease, they will need to be seen a few times in the first few weeks to ensure they are recovering well.
Their blood tests will need to be checked within 1-2 weeks to ensure the signs of liver damage are resolving. After this they will need a check-up at 1 month and 3 months to monitor for progression of liver disease.
If any abnormalities were seen on the ultrasound your veterinarian may want to monitor this with a repeat ultrasound in 3 months.
If your pet is doing well after the first few months, they will need less frequent monitoring but will still require 6-monthly consultations with your veterinarian to closely monitor their condition and continue any necessary medications.
After the initial tests, your veterinarian will advise when repeat testing is needed based on how your pet is doing at home. In general, this will involve:
- General Blood test Monitoring – every 6 months (to monitor liver function)
- Repeat Abdominal Ultrasound– every 6-12 months (more frequently if any abnormalities were seen)
If you have any concerns or notice any changes in your pet’s condition, please contact your veterinarian immediately to make a recheck appointment.
Managing Liver Disease in Dogs and Cats: Final Thoughts
Liver disease is a serious condition that often needs careful and ongoing veterinary support. Diagnosis helps determine the exact cause and guides treatment based on your pet’s specific needs and prognosis.
With early intervention and regular monitoring, many pets can live comfortably and maintain a good quality of life. If your pet has been diagnosed with liver disease, our Commitment 2 Care Plans can help you manage ongoing treatment with structured support, regular check-ups, and personalised care.
