Liver

A dog’s liver rests against the diaphragm, next to the stomach in the abdominal cavity. The liver performs many necessary functions to prevent illness:

  • filters and detoxifies blood coming from the intestinal tract and other parts of the body
  • aids in fat and sugar metabolism
  • production of bile (to be later stored in the gall bladder), proteins, and vitamins

Young dogs with liver dysfunction often have abnormal blood flow through the liver (portosystemic shunts). Older dogs may develop inflammation, infections, cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and cancer. Symptoms of liver disease may be obvious, such as jaundice (yellow tint to the skin); however, many liver diseases are insidious in onset and may be found incidentally with routine laboratory testing. Regular wellness testing allows early detection of liver disease to begin treatment before irreversible damage has been done to the liver.

Location Hours
MondayClosed
Tuesday9:00am – 5:00pm
Wednesday9:00am – 5:00pm
Thursday9:00am – 5:00pm
Friday9:00am – 5:00pm
SaturdayClosed
SundayClosed

Emergencies Please Call:
SAGE - (408)343-7243
Pacific Santa Cruz Vet - (831)475-5400
Blue Pearl of Monterey (831)899-4838

Holiday Schedule

New Years Day-CLOSED
Independence Day-CLOSED
Memorial Day-CLOSED
Thanksgiving Day-CLOSED
Christmas Day-CLOSED