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Steroid-Related Liver Disease in Dogs

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Treatment

The course of treatment will depend on the underlying cause of the disease. However, due to reversible nature of this condition, early treatment will usually completely resolve the problem.

If pituitary masses are present, radiation therapy is used to destroy these masses within pituitary glands. Tumor(s) may also be excised surgically. In case of dental disease, proper antibiotics are used to control the infection. In case of infections, proper antibiotics are used to control and treat infections after culture and sensitivity testing. And in cases of underactive thyroid glands (hypothyroidism), thyroxine supplementation is required.

Living and Management

The dog will require regular follow-up exams following treatment to evaluate the animal its liver function. Your veterinarian will also often recommend modifying the dog's diet, especially if it has developed pacreatitis, which will require a low-fat diet.

Prognosis depends on the extent of disease; in some patients, prognosis is poor despite treatment.