Just got back from the vet

I had a long talk with my vet this afternoon. Haley has chronic inflammatory hepatitis. She recommended SamE and Milk Thistle as supplements. Haley is scheduled for another liver enzyme test in two weeks, if those tests come back elevated, then vet recommends 30 days of prednisone. Vet suggested looking into changing her food to something lower in protein.

I'm going to be googling later, I'm thinking about switching her to Wellness Just for Seniors (18 percent protein). Going to Pet Palace tomorrow to see what else they might have or suggest. I'm not much of a home chef, but I"m willing to do whatever it takes to get my girl on the road to recovery.

Hugs to you all for all your support. She is such a sweetie, I hate to see her moping around the house.
 
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AngelinaL said:
Haley's boo boo bandage, but she enjoyed some white rice mixed in with her kibble and she drank water! Hooray. The powers of antibiotics and IV fluids.

Liver biopsy is pending and we are scheduled for follow up blood work in two weeks.

So happy she's home. :smile2:

Hugs to everyone on the forum! Thank you for the well wishes!
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So glad she is home,and we will keep her in our prayers about the pending tests. She is such a beautiful babe. Give her sheltie hugs from the clan here.
Keep us posted
 
I missed this thread somehow. So sorry for Haley's problems. I am glad she is home and doing better. My Danny's face is almost all white too. My concern is "Do senior shelties need to be on food lower in protein?.
 
Danny's mommy said:
I missed this thread somehow. So sorry for Haley's problems. I am glad she is home and doing better. My Danny's face is almost all white too. My concern is "Do senior shelties need to be on food lower in protein?.
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The lower protein was recommended by my vet due to the liver disease. My vet recommended the Prescription Hills' L/D. But she also told me a few clients use Wellness Super5 Seniors, which has the added benefit of Glucosamine and Chondrotin (and 18% protein). Corbinam (thanks Ashley) complied a nifty spreadsheet which is an analysis of many commercial dog foods. It really helped when I went shopping last night. (http://www.sheltieforums.com/showthread.php?t=10566). Each dog is so different, I think you have to find out what works well for your furbaby. Sometimes it's trial and error!

I also found Denamarin Tabs at Amazon, so I will order them through SN to make sure Kelly gets credit. (along with the Hope for Healing Liver Disease book).

Last night was the first night I slept really hard. I feel so much better knowing I have a game plan and I look forward to many more years of her chasing birds and squirrels!
 
Glad to hear she is back home and you now have a diagnosis. You may want to ask BarbV if she has any suggestions. Her Bacca had liver issues also and has improved through diet. You can also google and contact Dr. Jean Dodds for homemade diet info for liver condition she is always very helpful and generous with her time. Good luck.
 
I know you are so happy to have Haley back home and sounds like you have a handle on things and hope her next test goes smoothly. Give her a big hug for us.
 
I totally missed this thread until today.

I'm so sorry for what you are going through, and I share your pain!

Did the vet give any indication as to how she might have contracted hepatitis?

With all Bacca's liver issues, this never even came up as an option! Bacca's been on Milk Thistle now for about two years. His symptom's were weird. They started with a swelling in his jowls that prompted an emergency visit. At that time they were talking about cancer and every worse case scenario. They finally settled on a potential shunt, but we decided to treat holistically for now. Bacca is only 3 years old.

Over the years, we've determined that Bacca is hypo-thyroid but also has a potential for liver disease. At the time that this first happened, he was on a high protein diet. I now feed him Now! Adult Maintneance which is 24% protein. He's due for blood work, but his last work up about 8 months ago showed his ALT and ALS going down.

I'm not sure about the Hill's diet itself, but I do recommend lower protein for sure. And regular bloodwork.

Liver problems are not uncommon in Shelties, but this is the first that I've hear of hepatitis as a cause...?????
 
Hiya Barb!

Vet thought it was a bacterial infection that lead to cholangio hepatitis, which was confirmed via ultrasound and liver biopsy. Cholangio hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver and bile ducts.

I went through a lot of your posts and did a general search of the forum on liver, liver disease and milk thistle. I haven't heard of Now! but I decided to go with the Wellness Super5 Senior at 18% protein. I started Haley on SamE and Milk Thistle last night and we are scheduled for another blood test in two weeks. Her last day of antibiotics is tomorrow. I'm hoping we don't need to go to the next stage of meds, which would be prednisone for 30 days.

I'm glad to hear that Bacca's ALT and ALS are going down. Gives me hope to hear such positive feedback.
 
I'll have to ask my vet about that, and research it a little myself.

This may finally provide a clue as to what happened to Bacca. I never did believe in the liver shunt story myself.

The swelling in his jaw certainly spoke to an infection which was treated with antiobiotics from the start. The swelling went down, but his appetite just declined! He would not eat anything. Many months later and changing diet a few times and on full meds, he has been solid ever since.

Don't you just love this forum? :smile2:
 
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