You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.

Recognising a small liver silhouette on a radiograph is not always easy. However it is a highly significant finding.

Reduced liver volume is a serious indicator of disease and liver size should be evaluated on all abdominal radiographs. Reduced volume of one liver lobe, or part of the liver,  is difficult or impossible to detect on plain radiographs of pets because detailed biometric measurements for all breeds have not been made. However other imaging techniques may help with these cases..

The radiographic signs of a small liver are subjective findings. Interpretation can be greatly assisted by comparison to earlier radiographs taken of the same patient- if they are available. The signs are :

• Shorter than expected distance from the caudal margins of the left and right liver lobes and the diaphragm
• Cranial displacement of the stomach. The pylorus can be seen on plain radiographs, or barium contrast can be given to confirm the position and axis of the fundus of the stomach.

In interpreting reduced liver size on radiographs, possible causes should include the following :

• Cirrhosis - usually see a small dense liver with nodular surface if pneumoperitoneum is used. Angiography reveals tortuous ("corkscrew") hepatic arteries.
• Portosystemic shunts - can be congenital or acquired. Other signs include poor body size and poor body condition (emaciation may be present). Some cases (over 50%)  have secondary renal enlargement on radiographs as well. Cranial mesenteric arteriography or splenoportography can demonstrate by-pass of the liver.
• Liver necrosis (acute or chronic)
• Diaphragmatic hernia (or rupture), or peritoneal-pericardial hernia - congenital or acquired eg traumatic

Last updated : January 2016