Diagnosis of canine liver disease

LIVER disease is relatively common in dogs, but its diagnosis presents a challenge. The liver's large reserve capacity means that many dogs show no clinical signs until late in the disease process and signs are often non‐specific. Findings on blood tests and diagnostic imaging are also relatively non‐specific and a biopsy is often required for definitive diagnosis. This article outlines a logical approach to the dog with suspected liver disease, describing the rational work‐up from first suspicion of disease to final biopsy‐confirmed diagnosis.