Quote:
Originally Posted by kjc  The main issues I have addressed in this thread are:
Is prednisone prescribed for dogs with liver disease?
Yes, but I have never seen it prescribed for dogs with a Liver Shunt for treatment a Liver Shunt.
Does the OP's dog have Liver Shunt?
The OP stated that Her dog had a liver biopsy and the result was Liver Shunt.
I have never heard of this, biopsies are done to rule out MVD and other disorders, not LS. Futher testing is needed to make a diagnosis.
Was a Bile Acid Test done?
The OP is unsure, but will ask her vet.
The dog's AST and ALT are/were very high.
These two values will become elevated when toxins are involved. (By toxins, I mean anything ingested to vaccines received.) In dogs that have Liver Shunt, these values are most often only mildly elevated. Vaccines, such as Lepto, can cause higher elevations of these liver enzymes, and the OP's dog has been repeatedly vaccinated against Lepto. Or maybe the dog has contracted Lepto.
Why is prednisone being prescribed?
To bring the AST and ALT levels down, per the OP. The problem with prednisone is that it suppresses the immune system. If this dog is fighting an infection, this could be an unwise decision.
Did I PM or telephone the OP?
No, I have not, but I am willing to talk with her over the phone or via PM, if she wants to. Just send me a PM.
I have to leave for a while, but let me know if I missed anything.... |
I am going to quote from the biopsy (done at Univ of MO at Columbia Vet Med School): Microscopic finding: Two liver biopsy samples were rec'd and each bisected; all of the pieces were put into cassette and processed for histological exam. The liver tissue had several histological abnormalities. There were numerous iron granulomas scattered randonly in the parenchma. Iron granulomas are focal collections of iron-filled macrophages. The portal tracts were much closer together throughout this liver than in the normal liver (hepatic atrophy) the portal tracts did not contain any profile of the hepatic vein. Each portal tract contained one or more branches of the bile duct, one or more branches of the hepatic artery and one or more collapsed endotheilal lined channels but no obvious branch of the portal vein. Final diagnosis: the histologocal changes in this liver are diagnostic of congenital portosystemic shunt.
Now, when my vet went in to get the liver tissue he noticed that her gallbladder was quite full of "sludge" and he cleaned that out. Prior to surgery she had been on Bactrim (???) I believe as an antibiotic, but she didn't tolerate that well, so following surgery he placed her on Metro and for about a week did quite well, but after another week of being on Metro, she started showing slight HE symptoms. Took her off Metro, placed her on a marin supplement and that's where we've been for 6 mo's -doing quite well. No further HE symptoms.
Just 2 weeks ago took her back for blood check and that's when we noticed her liver enzymes had elevated slightly and he decided to put her on the Prednisolone.
Her vaccines consisted of DHL/Rabies her first year; second year boosters were given; - 3 years old, began showing signs of liver disease, so has not had vaccines since 2009. Liver issues started roughly 6 mo's after last set of vaccines. There have not been BAT's done, but I will discuss this with our vet.
From what I have read, I am thinking this is an intrahepatic shunt and not an extrahepatic, so she's not a good candidate for surgery. This is my story and I feel blessed that she is doing as well as she is doing since I have read so many sad stories and so many are living with daily issues.