Liver Failing

[nicky wells]

My 6 year old Yorkie, Molly has developed a problem with her liver. The vet has said it is something to do with the blood supply in her veins going into her liver. She is on a lot of medication and a diet of eggs, rice, cottage cheese and she has apples and vegetables (has never eaten dog food since I rescued her 2 years ago). She has had to go back to the vets today and has been kept in to go on a drip because the vet thinks that her liver is not coping with the amonia in her body. Has anyone got a yorkie with this problem or can give me any advice as I really don't want to loose her as I love her so much

[Mistymillar]

So very sorry you are both going through this, sorry I have no advice but someone will be along soon who can hopefully help.

[yorkietalkjilly]

I'm so sorry to read what is going on with your little one. I know the pain and shock you are feeling and hope your baby can get well and is in the very best of hands. My Tibbe has a congenital liver condition that didn't become symptomatic until he was 4 or 5 years old. It's called MVD but we caught it fairly early on and began treating him with a very restricted hepatic diet.

Did your vet use terms like MVD(microvascular dysplasia) or PVH(portal vein hypoplasia) or something like that? You need to find out exactly what your dog has, become very familiar with the name of the disease and study and learn a great deal about it online so you can be your dog's best advocate as not all vets are that well-versed in adequate testing or treating the diseases of toy dogs. You will have to know enough to push for the best in consultation with an internist, testing and treatment yourself if your vet doesn't drive the process quickly enough or well enough.

Here is something to read on these conditions, written by a renowned expert in the field:

http://www.vet.utk.edu/clinical/sacs...2013-04-10.pdf

What symptoms did she have for the last couple of months before you took her to the vet?

[ladyjane]

What testing has been done?

[nicky wells]

Thanks for the link. It is very interesting but it will take several times of reading it before I fully understand.
From what my vet said yesterday she has a build up of ammonia in her blood again so she is back on a drip for a few days. This has happened before and she went blind for a couple of days. This was caused by a family member 'kindly' giving her some lamb, which her liver could not process. This time she has had nothing like that so I will just have to wait to hear from the vet today.

Thanks again for the link and I will keep you posted.

[kjc]

Is she on Lactulose? That helps to remove ammonia from the intestines before it gets into the bloodstream.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by nicky wells

Thanks for the link. It is very interesting but it will take several times of reading it before I fully understand.
From what my vet said yesterday she has a build up of ammonia in her blood again so she is back on a drip for a few days. This has happened before and she went blind for a couple of days. This was caused by a family member 'kindly' giving her some lamb, which her liver could not process. This time she has had nothing like that so I will just have to wait to hear from the vet today.

Thanks again for the link and I will keep you posted.

When she went blind(poor little thing!), was she tested for liver problems and intensively worked up with all manner of tests done, a diagnosis made vs a differential diagnosis, medications given to help manage her future symptoms, diet changes made, etc.? You need to know all of that to be able to know if your vets are keeping abreast of this crisis by some online research. Sounds maybe like she's maybe got shunt(s) or MVD and maybe this time she ate something she found in the back yard left by a squirrel or bird or out on a walk or some piece of meat or veggie you didn't even know you dropped on the floor. My Tibbe recently ate less than 1 teaspoonful of a new kind of canned ultra allergy dog food recently as the pet store was totally out of his hepatic food and I had to make-do until the next day and fed him just that tiny bit of that mixed with his special kibble and he began vomiting the next day, had two subsequent days of minor diarrhea all the while having nausea, lethargy, lack of appetite and just standing around with his head hanging down or in his bed sleeping, obviously nauseated and feeling bad. I had Cerenia to give him for his nausea and he's gotten through that spell now but ANYTHING in the way of a different food can send them spiraling if they have MVD as Tibbe does.

I'll be praying for that little one of yours and hope that she's strong enough to successfully fight her way through this with your frequent visits to keep her hopeful and less worried of where you are and bringing her a worn t-shirt of yours to comfort her or a favorite old toy to place in her hospital cage. God bless you and she and keep us updated as you find out more.

[nicky wells]

Thanks for the helpful advice. Molly has been back at the vets again for a 'flush out' and she is much better. My vet has said with the best will in the world no matter how careful I am with her food there will always be a gradual build up of toxins that will require a short stay at vets hospital to flush them out. At least now I know the signs and get her to the vets quickly. Thanks again and I hope your little one is okay at the moment.

[Teegy]

Have you looked into dandelion and milk thistle for liver support. Omega alpha also carries a product for liver issues

[nicky wells]

No I haven't but thank you I will get onto it straight away.

[kjc]

info on MVD: Portosystemic Shunts FAQ

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by nicky wells

Thanks for the helpful advice. Molly has been back at the vets again for a 'flush out' and she is much better. My vet has said with the best will in the world no matter how careful I am with her food there will always be a gradual build up of toxins that will require a short stay at vets hospital to flush them out. At least now I know the signs and get her to the vets quickly. Thanks again and I hope your little one is okay at the moment.

Thank you so much - Tibbe is doing pretty well right now and your little one might be able to do well too if you get a diagnosis - know what is going on with her and get her on friendlier diet consisting of the type of protein a compromised liver can handle. My dog cannot handle any meat or even veggies without getting sick for 3 - 4 days with lethargy, anorexia, vomiting, eventually pus in his stool/diarrhea. I pray you find out what makes her sick and can avoid it. Best wishes to your little Molly.

[nicky wells]

Thanks again and I'm glad Tibbe is feeling better. The diagnosis for Molly is still the same, it seems eggs, rice, fruit and veg suit her but no meat at all. I know that she will have to go back to the vets every so often for a 'flush out' but at the moment she is doing well. Keep me posted on Tibbe.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by nicky wells

Thanks again and I'm glad Tibbe is feeling better. The diagnosis for Molly is still the same, it seems eggs, rice, fruit and veg suit her but no meat at all. I know that she will have to go back to the vets every so often for a 'flush out' but at the moment she is doing well. Keep me posted on Tibbe.

Will do and you do the same, please. Best wishes.