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03-04-2015, 07:01 AM | #1 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: New Liskeard, ON, Canada
Posts: 74
| liver problems seizures and beneful Almost 5 years ago we rescued a tiny 6 week old yorkie/pom cross pup. She had suffered head trauma by the owners little girl. When we stepped in to the rescue Emily was blind, deaf and having non stop seizures and took no comfort from human touch. With help from a local vet and medication we relieved the pressure on her brain. And with love and care she regained her vision in 1 eye and tunnel vission in her other eye. the seizures were treated with potassium bromide and after 7months was no longer required. She has remained deaf. Since then she has been a source of playfull 4.5lb bundle of love and joy for my wife and I. Our other 2 yorkies have been wonderfull with her and have taught her lots! 2 months ago she started to have seizures again. We took her to the vet immediatly and are again treating and contolling this with KBr. Blood work was taken and tests done. the only thing abmormal was an elevated liver function test result (175) She was retested yesterday and the results were worse (250) We are going to have her tested to determine if liver shunt is an issue. I am a wreck and feel so helpless. I thought Liver shunt issues manifested itself earlier? Can liver problems cause or make worse seizures? Because of her siezures I am worried about her going under for surgury if that is required. If it isnt a liver shunt but some sort of liver failure How long can we expect to have her with us? She is not lethargic and actually is full of piss and vinager. She is drinking well and has a good appitite. I know I am probably being premature because we are still at the diagnosing stage but I dont know what to do. And my heart aches for her. She has had such a tough start to her little life. Thanks for listening and any advise you can give. Oh and we had introduced her to beneful just the month before all this happened I dont know if this is related or just circumstantial but the recent stuff in the news has me feeling concerned and guilty if it turns out to be true |
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03-04-2015, 07:52 AM | #2 |
YT Addict Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Fountain Hills, AZ USA
Posts: 385
| What type of liver function test? Was it just elevation in her regular blood work or was it a bile acid test? Diana |
03-04-2015, 08:01 AM | #3 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: New Liskeard, ON, Canada
Posts: 74
| elevated in her reg blood work. Bile test is sceduled for next Monday. Ralph Last edited by pheonix; 03-04-2015 at 08:03 AM. |
03-04-2015, 08:07 AM | #4 |
YT Addict Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Fountain Hills, AZ USA
Posts: 385
| Was it the ALT that was elevated? Diana |
03-04-2015, 08:28 AM | #5 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: New Liskeard, ON, Canada
Posts: 74
| Yes it was the ALT reading that was elevated and is climbing. I believe 10 to 118 is considered normal. last month it was 175 and now 250. |
03-04-2015, 09:05 AM | #6 |
YT Addict Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Fountain Hills, AZ USA
Posts: 385
| ALT at 250 is not extremely high but the fact that it continues to rise is concerning. ALT can rise quickly with an acute assault on the liver, but it can drop just as fast. The bile acid test will give you information as to how the liver is actually functioning. What test are you having done to rule out a shunt? Does your vet think the Beneful dog food has anything to do with the elevated liver enzymes? It could be that the seizures and elevated ALT are unrelated, since your dog has had a seizure disorder in the past. What I can tell you from my experience is that dogs can live a long time with liver disease, depending on what's causing it. My last yorkie fought liver disease for 14 years. His was caused by a medication that he had to take for a fungal infection, and he was diagnosed with chronic hepatitis. We treated him with a drastic diet change to a liver friendly diet (RC hepatic with some home cooking as well), supplements for his liver, and occasional antibiotics. His liver disease waxed and waned, and caused more problems at some times than others, but for the most part he lived a good quality of life. He ate well, played hard and lived life to the fullest. We lost him at age 16 due to causes unrelated to his liver disease. It is hard not to worry, especially when you are at the stage of just trying to figure everything out, but try to keep the faith and hope for the best at this point. Sending hugs and prayers for your sweet baby. Diana |
03-04-2015, 09:48 AM | #7 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Toluca Lake, CA
Posts: 5,491
| I have no advice to give but I just wanted to send best wishes. Your story of her start was so sad. I am thankful she has found such a wonderful home and such devoted and loving guardians. Praying that your baby's issues are diagnosed and easily treated.
__________________ CarolynBuster Brown "The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything." |
03-04-2015, 09:44 PM | #8 |
Yorkie mom of 4 Donating YT Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LaPlata, Md
Posts: 23,247
| I would stop the beneful because it does have an ingredient in it that can be toxic. I hope everything works out for your baby.
__________________ Taylor My babies Joey, Penny ,Ollie & Dixie Callie Mae, you will forever be in my heart! |
03-04-2015, 10:21 PM | #9 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Maui, Hawaii
Posts: 7,740
| This pup has over come such big obstacles already, I can only hope that she can be tough and recover from whatever is going on now. Liver diseases can take a bit of time to diagnose, but are treatable through surgery, or diet and medications, depending on exactly what it is. The liver can regenerate itself to a certain extent, so even dogs that have elevated ALT and ALP due to exposure to toxins can recover. Praying for this little one to recover.
__________________ SANDY, MOM TO TIKI , KAYLA , KARLEE , R.I.P. MEIKA |
03-04-2015, 10:33 PM | #10 |
YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Leon, Iowa USA
Posts: 474
| I am sending prayers as well and please keep us informed. |
03-05-2015, 05:55 AM | #11 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: New Liskeard, ON, Canada
Posts: 74
| Thankyou all for your support. It helps. And Diana, thankyou for sharing your experience it is reassuring to hear what your experience was. I was in that worry place where you don't know enough and you fear the worst. I was thinking this was a death sentance for my little girl and I wasnt doing so well. Now I have hope and with that all things are possible. Thanks again! Ralph |
03-05-2015, 08:24 PM | #12 |
Don't Litter Spay&Neuter Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: So Cal
Posts: 9,874
| Beneful was tested to contain mycotoxins, it can cause liver damage. Hope your pup makes a full recovery. Mycotoxins in Dog Food
__________________ |
03-05-2015, 08:34 PM | #13 |
Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Brownstown MI USA
Posts: 18,650
| Our prayers are with you |
03-05-2015, 08:44 PM | #14 |
Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas
Posts: 27,450
| Honestly right off the bat it does not sound like liver failure. As someone had said, the ALT is not terribly high. I have seen it in the thousands. One of my pups was around 3000 at one time and she is fine now. I am assuming they are going to to bile acid testing. All I can say is that yes, a single external shunt is operable but I do understand your concerns about her having surgery. But, you know they all must have surgery at some point because most of them need dentals. Seisures alone should not prevent anesthetic procedures...just speak with your vet regarding this. I have seen some pretty old and sickly pups go through anesthesia without issues. BUT...take it a step at a time. As for liver shunt showing up later...that often happens. Matter of fact it can happen without any noticable symptoms OR alterations in blood work. My Teddy Bear is living proof of that...here is a link to his story about his shunt that was not picked up until he was around 8 years of age: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...ver-shunt.html Speak with your vet about feeding liver diet...either Royal Canin or Hill's. I did that with one of my fosters who we thought might have a shunt and the change in her was amazing. She ended up diagnosed with MVD .. not a shunt but remains on the Hill's LD and is doing well. I personally would stop the Beneful since there are some questions about it. It could end up that her seizures are not related to liver at all. Time will tell. I hope that the meds are keeping her fairly free of seizure activity.
__________________ |
03-06-2015, 06:27 AM | #15 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: New Liskeard, ON, Canada
Posts: 74
| The Beneful was only 1 bag full that we got when we were stuck and unable to get our regular food. They are back on Royal Caninen there usual food The problem of the Lab results are that you dont have a feel for the numbers. The show the normal range and the vet shows you the results and the trend. 250 up from 175 sounds bad, but there is no feel for how bad. 3000! That would have really scared me! Emmy is so full of Piss and vinegar and playful you wouldnt think there was anything wrong now that the seizures are under control. And for anyone that thinks a deaf dog cant communicate think again! In our little 3 dog pack Emmy has no problem voicing her comments, opinion or displeasure. She can growl bark and yelp with the best of them. LOL the hardest thing is to get her to shut up! She cant hear the quiet command. You have to shake your finger at her and make sure she sees you. |
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