Liver Disease in Dogs: Welfare and Nutritional Management

Canine liver disease encompasses hepatitis, copper storage disease, portosystemic shunts, and neoplasia, requiring careful nutritional management and ongoing monitoring to maintain quality of life.

Key Facts

Copper storage disease is a hereditary condition in Bedlington Terriers, Dalmatians, and Labrador Retrievers
Portosystemic shunts cause toxin accumulation affecting the brain, causing hepatic encephalopathy
Chronic hepatitis can be idiopathic or caused by infectious agents including infectious canine hepatitis
Elevated liver enzymes on routine blood work often prompt investigation that identifies treatable conditions
Dietary modification with moderate protein restriction and supplementation is central to management

Welfare Considerations

Canine liver disease causes suffering through hepatic encephalopathy, manifesting as behavioural changes, seizures, and disorientation. Jaundice, ascites, and portal hypertension cause physical discomfort. Dogs with portosystemic shunts may have spent months in a state of subclinical toxin accumulation before diagnosis. With appropriate treatment including surgical shunt correction where feasible and dietary management, many dogs achieve good quality of life. Regular monitoring of liver function allows treatment to be adjusted as disease progresses.

What You Can Do

Seek veterinary assessment for dogs with breed predisposition to copper storage disease
Follow veterinary dietary recommendations carefully, particularly protein and copper content guidance
Monitor for neurological signs such as confusion or unusual behaviour that may indicate hepatic encephalopathy
Request liver function testing as part of pre-anaesthetic and annual health screening in at-risk breeds