Symptoms
of Liver Disease
Symptoms of liver disease are variable
and subtle in the early stages of the problem. The classic symptoms are:
Poor appetite (anorexia)- This is a
common symptom
Weight loss- The poor appetite that
occurs in liver disease eventually leads to loss of weight. Improper
metabolism of fat, carbohydrates, and proteins complicates the
situation also.
Polyuria/polydypsia (PU/PD)- This is
excess urinating and excess drinking of water. This can occur in liver
disease, although several other important diseases cause these symptoms
also, notably, kidney disease, Cushing's
disease, pyometra, and diabetes
mellitus (sugar diabetes).
Lethargy- Poor appetite and disruption
in normal physiologic processes leads to this symptom. Anemia adds to
this lethargy, along with ascites due to the discomfort it causes.
Anemia- Improper nutrition from a poor
appetite, along with disease in the hepatocytes will cause this.
Light colored stool- If the biliary tree
is prevented from secreting normal bile pigments into the intestine the
stool will lack pigmentation and appear lighter in color.
Bleeding disorders- The normal clotting
system is impaired since it depends on a healthy liver.
Distended abdomen due to ascites or
hepatomegaly. If the distention is severe enough breathing might be
labored from pain or the pressure on the diaphragm.
Vomiting (emesis), nausea, or diarrhea.
Sometimes blood is present in the vomitus (hematemesis), especially if
a gastric ulcer is present. The ulcer comes from a complex interaction
of histamine, nitrogen, bile acids, Gastrin, portal hypertension, and
an altered mucous membrane lining the inside of the stomach.
Pain due to distention of a diseased
liver.
Orange colored urine or mucous membranes
due to jaundice.
Behavioral changes- circling, head tilt,
heap pressing, and seizures, particularly right after a meal.
In a recent study it was found that dogs
with liver disease can also have high
blood pressure. This is called hypertension, and should be
monitored to see if therapy is needed.
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