Your vet Columbia, MD can tell you that although fatty liver disease is one of the more severe liver diseases in cats, it is not a very common disease in dogs. In general, a dog’s primary liver function is to produce chemicals necessary for digestion and detoxification of the body. Fatty liver disease occurs when the dog becomes ill and stops eating. This causes his body to go into survival mode by sending excessive amounts of fat to the liver to be broken down into energy. A dog’s liver is not meant to handle such large masses of fat and becomes swollen. An abnormal bile flow in the liver and deficient hepatic function is also noted. Not only is the liver unable to process the fat, but it is also unable to handle other functions including processing red blood cells. As a result you may see a yellowing of the dog’s eyes. Veterinary treatment is needed immediately. To learn more, click here.