Liver disease

I know Gavin definitely has plenty of energy for things he enjoys. Not so much for things he doesn't.
Dinner time, he is like a puppy! Walking to the dumpster to throw out the poop bag, not so much.
I guess we are all like that when we get older.
 
Well we went back to the vet yesterday for another round of bloodwork and an exam by the vet. His liver enzymes are now normal but we couldn't get the thyroid levels as the machine isn't working so that will get courier'd out so possible we'll get them today..

Still no explanation for Riley's continued decline and to top it all off he's lost almost 2 pounds in a month! He doesn't want to take food off the floor but if you give it to him he'll take it and when I put his food bowl down he's hesitant to eat but if I hold it up he'll eat. The vet is wondering if it's caused by the enlarged liver and positional based on how he's standing (possibly makes him uncomfortable?)
He also sits very slowly (like something bothers him) and carries his tail very low. The vet checked out his anal glands (one was almost full but didn't think that was the problem) and his prostate but it was small and normal. Next step will probably be an ultrasound...possibly small tumors that aren't showing up on the X-ray? She also put him on tramadol for pain (just trying to see if it makes a difference) and he gets to eat as much as he wants now. We need to see if he continues to lose weight, definitely not a good sign the weight loss.
Very good vet though, for all she did (and she did a lot) no office visit charge again.
Riley definitely didn't like this visit lol.
 
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Gosh, sounds like we should be swapping liver results. Thanks for the update, it was useful reading through the thread again.

Interesting that you mentioned about his tail and sitting. Deska has bowel problems and scoots quite often and tucks his tail under, it's definitely when he has bowel issues - either constipated or diarrhea, or after he does a poop. The vet had checked his anal glands numerous times, wormed and re-wormed, but I know it's bowel related, just don't know why. Deska's also losing weight and Vet thinks he's a bit too thin. Not sure why that's happening as I had already increased his food. We've checked for thyroid and Cushings and he was fine.

Is the supplement helping at all? I was thinking of getting a supplement for Mr D's liver.
 
I'm sorry to hear you didn't get any real answers for Riley's issues. I always think that's the most frustrating thing when your dog is sick...knowing something is wrong and not being able to find out what it is. Sending continued good thoughts for Riley's improvement and hugs to you!
 
Well the supplement must be working as his liver numbers are completely normal now. That's what has the vet so baffled...the fact that he continues the decline while his numbers get better!
I hope Deska's enzymes come down as much as Riley's have! I'm certain a supplement would help (it certainly wouldn't hurt)! And it's easy to use, I just sprinkle it on his food.
 
How very frustrating - amazing that the supplement brought his numbers back to normal, but now what? I hope ultrasound gives you some answers. Sending you and Riley good wishes. :hugs
 
So after almost three months of back and forth vet visits, many X-rays and an ultrasound we FINALLY know what's wrong with Riley!
Of course we knew his liver is 'abnormal 'so ultrasound didn't show anything new but at least they were able to see that everything else was ok (in particular his gallbladder). But where we thought his issue was arthritis in his back legs, it's actually his back.
Between his L4 and L5 (near the pelvis) the radiologist saw either an old injury or possibly cancer (they can't tell at this point). He's now on gabapentin and yesterday the vet said to start him on Metacam (she'd been reluctant because of his liver). I must say that I'm quite encouraged by the small signs of improvement I saw after just one dose (moving better, happy, flew down the stairs last night and actually ate food off the floor for the first time in a month!).
I didnt remember this until after the vet told me about his back on Friday but he did jump off the grooming table back in July (almost counter height) and it was shortly after that he started to slow down...very possible that it's an injury that's just been getting worse and worse over 4 months!
I'm going to take him for a car ride this morning (he actually looked excited yesterday evening when I asked him if he wanted to go for one)....I haven't seen the 'happy' Riley in quite some time. Very encouraging!
 
Cindy said:
Glad the metacam plus gabapentin is doing the trick!
How often do you need to go in for a blood test for liver monitoring?
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Once a month for his bloodwork for now anyway. At least his enzymes are normal now but we want them to stay that way. I don't think he'll need to be on the gabapentin and Metacam for long, we'll see how his improvement goes this week and I'll talk to the vet and see what she thinks.

Riley's improvement is absolutely amazing! He's now running up the stairs...no walking them anymore! Eating food off the floor ( crumbs that fall) and happy!

It's like Tiny Tim who gets help and runs at the end of a Christmas Carol...Merry Christmas Everyone!
This is my Christmas present!
Sooo happy he's on the mend...FINALLY!
 
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