Looking for Help for Canine Liver Disease Diagnosis
Can Someone Help Me?
I am attempting to look for an underlying cause of liver disease in our 10 year old Scottish Terrior. Two years ago, she became very sick at her stomach after having her teeth cleaned. Coincidentally, this was also the time perimeter of the dog food scare. (The food she was eating was not on any of the lists publicized.) I have been assured by more than one source that if she had experienced an episode from the dental cleaning, the liver would not have continued to deteriorate over this course of time. The blood work found that her liver enzymes were grossly abnormal. Radiography was performed and we were advised to have an ultrasound. The ultrasound found that her gall bladder was enlarged and we were referred to UT Vet Hospital in Knoxville for possible emergency surgery and further diagnosis. UT did not see the urgency with the gall bladder and she was hospitalized and monitered for a couple of days. She was released feeling well.
A couple of months later, her liver enzymes continued to be abnormal. We returned to UT for additional testing . They performed a needle biopsy and found a few abnormal cells in her liver, but nothing (they felt) to go further.
She was placed on Ursidial, Benazapril, Denamarin, and Fish Oil. Her bloodwork continued to be monitored at least once each 3 months and the results varied. The liver enzymes continued to be elevated, but increasingly additional protein was found in her urine. Her diet was changed to a high quality low protein diet. She continues to feel well. However, she had increased water consumption. Currently, her urine is very diluted. Sometimes, large proteins show in the urine and other times smaller proteins show up causing us to believe there is some globular nephritis happening.
This has continued over the last 2 years. Every test that we know of has been run including multiple Cushings tests with no results and continued blood and urine tests. A few weeks ago, she did test positive for atypical Cushings. The vet school at UT is not convinced that the atypical test conclusion is accurate.
Our vet referred us back to UT requesting an ultrasound be performed. It was non-conclusive. They recommended a laparascopic biopsy with additional bile, copper, etc tests. We received the results today and they have no idea what the underlying problem could be. Her liver is fragile and the biopsies broke apart with very little bleeding when extracted. Cancer biopsies have shown to be negative. The copper test was not back but the slides showed no crystals. There is some evidence of regeneration. They feel she may be a first and I feel that there has to be another “baby” out there that has had an evasive diagnosis.
I would very much like any suggestions, ideas, etc that anyone may have had that has experienced a difficult diagnosis. Any suggestions to continuing to preserve the liver and promoting regeneration will be grateful.
I would gratefully appreciate you forwarding this email to anyone has any sources that may be familiar with this type of case or know of anyone with professional interest in liver disease. I feel certain that there are internists that specialize in liver care and disease but I have no way of knowing who they are.
Thanks and love, Malie
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I have a pommeranian who is almost 13 and was diagnosed with
mitral valve regurgitation. Soon after she was put on enalapril,
her liver enzymes went through the roof–ALT and ALP.
She was hospitalized for 10 days and during that time she was off
the enalapril. Since then she has been back on it and even upped
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in two days Her enzymes are escalating again. Clinically, so far,
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like her problems all start when she is put on this medication.
Thanks for the post. Can you send me any information you have on
the liver fluke disease and I will post it to the blog and in the
news section for people to see. I appreciate you trying to help out
a fellow liver disase parent.
To begin with, I would like to appologize that I have offered no
responses to all of your comments. I am new to blogging, and for
some reason scrolled way down tonight and ‘voila’ found
these comments. I have communicated with Shannon and Carol and
would like an update on Shannon’s liver flukes when you have
something. Obviously Carol, I want to know how Bu is doing.
I read your post during my research to figure out what is up
with my 10 year old golden. Her liver enzymes are way high – normal
range is 1-130 and hers were over a 1000! Is your dog excessively
thirsty? Mine has been and urinating A LOT! This may be coming out
of left field but check into liver fluke. My vet contends that it
is only found in Asia but i am going to push him to test for it. I
have been finding info online and she has some of the symptoms. It
wouldn’t be something they would necessarily look for so they
may think you are crazy. I will bookmark your site and post when i
find out what is going on with my dog.
I am running into a very similar situation with my 11.5 yr.
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University) we’re working with. We’re both curious at
to which enzymes are elevated with your Scottish Terrier.
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After a couple of weeks, it was back. We have decreased the fish
oil and ceased the flax lignans and still have episodes a couple of
times a week. She is now on an antibiotic and a whipworm flush and
so far so good. The doc is very concerned it is her liver causing
this problem.
Lisa Smith
Founder, The Canine Liver Disease Foundation
I wish all of you all the luck in the world with identifying and
treating your babes. Malie really has us worried so I ask that you
think positive thoughts for her.
I am going to see my homeopathic vet on Tues. I will let you
know if liver fluke is confirmed and what she puts the dog on.
Right now she has her on 400mg of milk thistle twice a day and
Denosyl once a day until she sees her – there is a website on the
Denosyl.
Tell us what you’re thinking…
and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a
gravatar!
I wish there was something I could do to help. Just know
I’m thinking of all of you.
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ceased.