Many animals suffer from liver disease, and frequently a specific diagnosis cannot be attained until a liver biopsy is performed. Traditionally, a liver biopsy is obtained in a manner that involves a large incision to expose the organ for biopsy. Using minimally-invasive laparoscopy however, the liver can be visualized and samples can be taken for biopsy and other tests to obtain a specific diagnosis. Documented advantages of laparoscopy in people include decreased pain, hospitalization, faster return to function, improved cosmesis, lower infection rates, and improved visualization and magnification. Patients that have a laparoscopic liver biopsy seem to recover quicker and have less pain associated with their incision site.