Steroid-Related Liver Disease in Dogs

Steroid therapy may be given to a dog for a variety of conditions, and can be very effective in treating many disorders. Glucocorticoid hepatopathy is a rare disorder which can occur when the liver has scarring and lesions due to a canine’s high sensitivity to steroids. Vacuolar changes in certain dogs’ hepatocytes occur, negatively affecting the liver.

Corticosteroids can adversely affect the liver if the dog is on this type of therapy for a prolonged period of time, if the dosing is not adequate, or if the medication is too strong. When any dog is on steroid therapy, it is very important that the veterinarian looks at every aspect of the dog’s condition and weight to determine proper administration of the medication. Once the dog is taken off the steroids, healing can occur, although it can take months for full recovery.

Steroid-related liver disease in dogs is the result of the dog being overly sensitive to steroid therapy. Steroids can cause lesions to occur on the liver as a result of negative changes in the liver cells, or hepatocytes.

If your dog is on steroid therapy for an illness or disease, it is important to keep a watchful eye for the following symptoms. If any of these clinical signs occur, make an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible. Symptoms include:

• Large amount of weight gain
• Changes in the skin and coat
• Increased appetite
• Excessive thirst
• Excessive urination
• Jaundice

Types

Glucocorticoids may be given to canines for a variety of inflammations. Types of inflammations that veterinarians may prescribe steroid therapy for include:

• Skin allergies
• Eye inflammations
• Neurological illnesses
• Asthma or other respiratory ailments
• Kidney disorders

The cause of steroid-related disease in dogs is oversensitivity to steroid therapy. This may be related to:

• Metabolic abnormalities
• Cushings Disease
• Congenital abnormality

Once the dog is taken to the veterinarian, he will receive a complete examination, including blood work, urinalysis, and biochemistry profile.  The biochemistry profile will give the medical professional a great deal of information, such as how the liver and kidneys are functioning and a measurement of electrolytes and enzymes within the blood. Discussion of any medications, such as steroid therapy, may take place; however the veterinarian will most likely be aware of the medications the dog is on at this time.

After these primary tests, the veterinarian may perform a radiography of the abdomen to look for any underlying diseases and to take a specific look at the liver. He may also perform an ultrasound to check for specific nodules or lesions on the liver. Histopathology may be performed to look at the tissue of the liver under a microscope to study the disease and its stages. The veterinarian will also examine the size of the liver, lymph nodes, and any cancerous tumors. The medical professional will perform further laboratory testing such as an endocrine panel and a thyroid panel to check for other disorders or to rule out any other abnormalities. 

Treatment of steroid-related liver disease in dogs depends on the underlying condition. The veterinarian will diagnose the underlying disorder, if any, and relay treatment options to you. If your dog has sensitivity to steroids with no underlying disorder, immediately tapering the dog off the steroids to the point where he is no longer using steroid therapy will usually solve the issue.

Recovery of any treatment, either invasive or non-invasive, will need to be supported at home. It is important to follow the instructions on after-care provided to you by your veterinarian. 

Recovery of steroid-related liver disease in dogs has an excellent prognosis once the dog is taken off of the steroids. Regular veterinarian visits will need to be scheduled to continue to check the status of the dog’s healing liver. Your veterinarian will communicate with you in terms of what you need to watch for in terms of symptoms.