Is it normal for an old dog to get liver disease?

Is it common for a old dog (14 year old female pointer) to develop liver disease? She also has hypothyroid disease and arthritis.

  • Vetinfo

    By: Julie Ann El Segundo, CA

    Replied on 04/19/2011

    Liver disease is more common in an elderly dog but it is not considered normal.  As your dog ages and us as well, our internal organs are aging.  This raises the potential of a liver issue.  Liver disease can be associated with a bacterial infection, gall bladder problem, cancer and Cushing's Disease just to name a few.

    I am assuming blood work has already been done and may be how the liver disease was diagnosed.  Depending on what blood tests are high and your dog's physical exam your veterinarian can develop a treatment plan.  This can include antibiotics, an ultrasound and possibly liver biopsies at the time of the ultrasound.  These may be done in a step wise fashion.  Antibiotics and other liver support meds. First, ultrasound if no improvement, biopsies if the ultrasound indicates they would be useful.

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