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Your veterinarian just told you that your pet has elevated liver values. That doesn’t necessarily indicate liver disease, but it does mean a specialist has to do detective work to find the cause of abnormal results and tailor a treatment plan.
The good news is that animal livers, like human ones, are resilient: Many problems can be fixed if caught early. And unlike most organs – especially the kidneys, a common source of problems in dogs and cats – the liver can go a long way in repairing itself.
Recognizing Symptoms of Liver Disease
Because early detection is paramount, keep an eye out for these potential signs:
- Lethargy and weakness: Noticeable decrease in energy levels.
- Loss of appetite: Reduced interest in food or complete refusal to eat.
- Vomiting and diarrhea: Persistent gastrointestinal upset.
- Increased thirst and urination: Changes in drinking and urination habits.
- Jaundice: Yellowing skin, gums and eyes.
- Abdominal swelling: Fluid accumulation in the abdomen.
- Changes in stool or urine color
Not all pets with liver disease exhibit outward signs, especially in early stages. Some indicators (such as gastrointestinal upset) may have other causes. That’s why routine blood work by your primary care vet, usually once to twice a year for a young adult or older pet, remains crucial.
Causes of Liver Disease
Vets classify liver issues in two basic ways: acute liver failure and chronic liver disease.
Acute liver failure can come from toxin ingestion, infections, heatstroke, trauma, certain medications and exposure to toxic algae blooms. In some cases, neither the owner nor the vet can identify the source of the sudden problem. When that happens, treatment focuses on supportive care, such as fluid therapy, antibiotics and medications to manage symptoms.
By contrast, chronic liver disease develops over months or even years and results in persistently elevated liver values. Doctors typically monitor it through regular blood tests and medical interventions. Treatment may include liver supplements, antioxidants, antibiotics, ursodiol (a gallbladder supplement) and dietary modifications. Liver-specific diets typically help patients who cannot tolerate normal protein or copper levels.
Diagnosing the Cause
Vets prefer to begin with less invasive diagnostics and medical management, escalating to procedures such as liver biopsies if values do not improve. A comprehensive diagnostic process may include these steps:
- Detailed history and physical examination: Gathering information about symptoms and conducting a comprehensive physical assessment.
- Screening blood tests: Complete blood count (CBC), biochemistry profile (including liver enzymes) and coagulation tests.
- Bile acids tolerance test and Protein C test: To evaluate the liver’s function.
- Urinalysis: Assessing kidney function and detecting abnormalities in urine.
- Abdominal ultrasound: Visualizing the liver and surrounding organs to identify structural changes, masses or fluid accumulation.
- Radiographs (X-rays): To evaluate the size and shape of the liver and detect abnormalities.
- Abdominal CT (computed tomography): This advanced imaging technique provides detailed cross-sectional images of the liver and surrounding structures, allowing for the detection of subtle abnormalities that may not be visible on ultrasound or radiographs. CT scans can be particularly helpful in identifying liver tumors, vascular abnormalities or other complex liver conditions.
- Liver Biopsy: Obtaining a tissue sample for microscopic examination. This is essential for definitive diagnosis and tailored treatment, if liver values remain elevated despite medical management or the vet suspects a specific liver disease.
CARE’s collaborative approach between Internal Medicine and Surgical Services lets doctors offer laparoscopic liver biopsies, a minimally invasive procedure with smaller incisions, direct visualization, reduced bleeding risk and faster recovery. A vet who suspects a particular liver disease may recommend a biopsy earlier in the diagnostic process.
Treatment Options for Elevated Liver Values
Here are five, which can be used singly or in combination.
- Medications: To address specific conditions such as infections, inflammation or toxin-induced damage.
- Fluid therapy: To support hydration and electrolyte balance.
- Nutritional support: To provide a balanced diet that supports liver function.
- Surgery: In cases of liver tumors or other structural abnormalities.
- Supportive care: Management of symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and pain.
The Good News About Liver Resilience
One of the most fascinating aspects of the liver is its unique ability to regenerate. Many organs (such as the skin) can create new cells, but only the liver can regrow itself. It does that after injury or loss through a process called hepatocyte proliferation.
The liver can potentially rebuild up to 90 percent of itself and achieve full size, though not always in its original shape. That’s why, when a doctor catches liver disease early, a pet’s liver can often recover significantly.
You can think of Charlotte Animal Referral and Emergency as the animal version of a human-style medical center for pets: It’s open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and provides every kind of treatment, from emergency room intervention to board-certified specialty work. (That comes after a referral from your primary care veterinarian.) You can take a visual tour of the practice at carecharlotte.com/tour.
