Hepatic Lipidosis in Dogs

Hepatic lipidosis describes a pattern in which fat accumulates within the liver cells to a degree that begins to interfere with the liver's normal work. In dogs, this tends to occur as a secondary consequence—often appearing alongside conditions such as diabetes mellitus, pancreatitis, Cushing's syndrome, or during periods of severe illness or nutritional imbalance. Unlike in cats, where hepatic lipidosis can develop rapidly as a primary disease in otherwise healthy animals, the picture in dogs is typically more gradual and reflects an underlying metabolic or systemic disturbance. Owners most commonly arrive at this topic after blood tests reveal elevated liver enzymes, or when a dog has been unwell for some time with signs such as reduced appetite, weight loss, occasional vomiting, or a general lack of energy. The liver may be enlarged on examination or imaging, and jaundice—a yellow tint to the gums, whites of the eyes, or skin—can occasionally be observed in more advanced cases. The concern is often framed around what the liver changes mean and whether they are reversible. This page explores the signals that may suggest hepatic lipidosis, the mechanisms that drive fat accumulation in liver cells, the investigations used to confirm the pattern and identify underlying causes, and the range of approaches taken to address both the lipidosis itself and the conditions that contribute to it.