The diagnosis and management of acute liver failure in dogs and cats.

Management of the small animal patient with a presumptive diagnosis of acute liver failure should aim to provide high quality supportive care aimed at the functional derangements that occur. A definitive histopathologic diagnosis should be pursued to allow evaluation of the reversibility of the underlying condition. With the current advances in veterinary critical care, improved medical and technical management should reduce both morbidity and mortality in the patient with potentially reversible liver failure.