Cirrhosis is the end stage of chronic liver injury: fibrosis, nodules of regenerating hepatocytes and distorted architecture replace the normal lobules, and sinusoidal portal hypertension follows. In dogs it is almost always the end point of chronic hepatitis, and because the damage cannot be undone, treatment aims at the cause that remains (often copper) and at the complications: ascites, hepatic encephalopathy and gastrointestinal bleeding. The earlier stages, including copper-associated disease and infectious canine hepatitis, are covered in the canine hepatitis guide.
Key facts
Hepatic cirrhosis at a glance- Species and system: dog; liver, with effects on the portal circulation, brain, kidneys and gut.
- Cause: end-stage chronic hepatitis, most often idiopathic or copper-associated; less often drugs, lobular dissecting hepatitis or chronic biliary obstruction.
- Breeds at risk for chronic hepatitis: Bedlington Terrier, Labrador Retriever, Doberman Pinscher, Dalmatian, West Highland White Terrier, American and English Cocker Spaniel, English Springer Spaniel.
- Classic presentation: middle-aged dog with anorexia, lethargy, ascites and icterus; small liver; ALT only modestly increased; low albumin, high bilirubin and bile acids.
- Diagnosis: liver biopsy with histology and copper quantification.
- Not zoonotic (leptospirosis, a zoonotic cause of acute hepatitis, is a differential); not reportable.
What's inside
12 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.