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06-04-2010, 09:27 AM | #1 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Missouri
Posts: 152
| liver issues My question is for anyone with Yorkies with liver issues - I've got my baby fairly well under control at the moment - her BAT #'s are still a bit high, but way better than they were - she's now on Science Diet L/D food, but was wondering if there is a chance she will improve, or will this be a lifelong battle? I was also wondering if there's good evidence that this milk thistle might improve her liver function? Any help at all would be appreciated. |
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06-04-2010, 09:30 AM | #2 |
And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Posts: 17,928
| Is it LS or MVD or both or unknown? Supplements can help stop further damage and some improvement may be seen. Diet is also a big part of it. Dogs with MVD won't ever have totally normal numbers. All you can really do is support and all dogs respond differently to that. Some act like new dogs and others may not benefit much, esp. if their numbers were never bad to begin with and they are asymptomatic.
__________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶 |
06-04-2010, 10:14 AM | #3 | |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Missouri
Posts: 152
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06-04-2010, 10:19 AM | #4 |
And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Posts: 17,928
| SAMe and milk thistle may be good things to add. If neurological symptoms are present, then lactulose should be used. However, it really depends on what is wrong and what the test results are showing. Generally Yorkies with liver disease have liver shunt or microvascular dysplasia (microscopic shunting throughout the liver). It's hard to say what the best protocol is without a diagnosis, bile acids test numbers, etc. Your vet should have this info.
__________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶 |
06-04-2010, 10:26 AM | #5 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Missouri
Posts: 152
| Thank you - luckily no neurlogical issues - I will check on the SAMe and milk thistle - vet said it wasn't a shunt. Thank you again. |
06-04-2010, 10:39 AM | #6 |
Ringo (1) and Lucy too! Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: On the Edge of Glory
Posts: 3,447
| If it is not a shunt; probably MVD. I feel like I am always walking a fine line . . trying to find food that she can eat; that she WILL eat; that won't upset the delicate balance between the right amount of protein vs protein overload; making sure she drinks water; finding the right treats that will not overwork her liver . . . I'm still struggling with it all. It's certainly not like my Westie . . where you just put down a food bowl and walk away! Of course, it took some trial and error to find his perfect food too. |
06-04-2010, 11:01 AM | #7 | |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Missouri
Posts: 152
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06-04-2010, 01:14 PM | #8 |
Ringo (1) and Lucy too! Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: On the Edge of Glory
Posts: 3,447
| I tried the milk thistle; I could not see that it did any good; but she didn't seem to mind it either. You are right; you were very lucky! I hope you will be able to find that perfect food for your baby. |
06-04-2010, 02:11 PM | #9 |
♥ Love My Furbabies ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: East of the Mississippi River! ;)
Posts: 2,183
| You can get Detri-DMG chews from entirelypets.com that have milk thistle, SamE, along with a few other supplements that are good for liver compromised babies. My Ginger loves it and takes it as a treat every day. She eats Royal Canin LS 14 (dry) and will occassionally get the canned LD as a treat.
__________________ ~ Robin ,Max, Molly, Dozer& kitties, Toby & Lucy RIP - Ginger, Abby, Conway, &Simon |
06-04-2010, 03:08 PM | #10 | |
I♥PeekTinkySaph&Finny Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Posts: 18,866
| Quote:
The liver can and does regenerate itself, to an extent. Systemically, episodes may occur that could cause liver cells to die off for whatever reason. Supplements containing milk thistle and SAM-E help the cells to rejuvenate and can protect the liver cells and prevent liver cell death. My dog is on Denamarin. there are other products available, either from your vet or health store. I can't see a difference in her, but it's a win win situation. I know that here liver is being protected, and the product won't hurt her if she doesn't need it. My cousin has liver problems and she laughed, her doc told her to take the same supplements.
__________________ Kat Chloe Lizzy PeekABooTinkerbell SapphireInfinity | |
06-04-2010, 09:19 PM | #11 | |
♥ Love My Furbabies ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: East of the Mississippi River! ;)
Posts: 2,183
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__________________ ~ Robin ,Max, Molly, Dozer& kitties, Toby & Lucy RIP - Ginger, Abby, Conway, &Simon | |
06-05-2010, 11:53 AM | #12 | |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Missouri
Posts: 152
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06-05-2010, 11:55 AM | #13 | |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Missouri
Posts: 152
| Quote:
Thanks for the website - I will check it out for the chews, milk thistle and SamE. | |
06-05-2010, 01:36 PM | #14 |
Ringo (1) and Lucy too! Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: On the Edge of Glory
Posts: 3,447
| I think I'm going to try those chews as well. |
06-05-2010, 07:16 PM | #15 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Cortlandt Manor, New York, USA
Posts: 12
| Good luck I wish I had joined sooner and found out about the chew and supplements. My baby Lily was recovering from a liver shunt surgery and quite well. Shes a strong little girl but last night her liver failed. I'm not sure why and the vet is trying to get to the bottom of it. I'm crushed and heartbroken. I wish you all the best with your baby. All I can suggest is don't be afraid to get a second opinion. I would never have done the surgery if i had know there was something wrong with her liver too and I think that was the case. I think the doctors missed it because they didn't do a liver biopsy first. I will pray for your little one. |
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