What Are The Signs Of Liver Failure In A Boxer Dog?

The liver does many important things. In one sense, it acts like a filter for the blood, to strain out harmful particles and bacteria. A major portion of the blood is carried through the liver. When it becomes swollen due to infection or cancer, it can’t filter the blood efficiently. That forces some of the fluid portion of the blood to seep out into the abdomen. Chronic (long term) scarring of the liver does the same thing. The fluid in your dog’s abdomen (called ascites) could be caused by other problems as well.

These are very grave symptoms. The yellow color of her gums (jaundice) is also a result of her liver getting behind in its work. The plumbing inside her liver is swollen internally, and the normal bile pigment (yellow color) isn’t being pumped into the intestines where it belongs, so it’s ending up in her blood instead. Hence, you see it in the tissues of her mouth.

It all sounds terrible, but a lot of boxers with abdominal fluid and jaundice can be helped. With special diets, medication, and possibly surgery, you may improve her quality of life for a while. Have her checked out soon, while there is still time.