[kjc]

Originally Posted by MyLittleLooster

Thanks for all of the replies! We live in Florida, so Tennessee is sort of out of the question. We are having to save (like we have been) for the surgery. I'm pretty sure we're going to choose the surgery over medically treating him. My number one desire is to have him as long as I possibly can, so the surgery is a big consideration.

Kjc: I'll ask my local vet about Denamarin. I'm also wondering if I should put him on milk thistle since I've heard it does wonders for the liver.

I'm hoping our next visit will be better. I was thinking that, since he did go through liver failure, maybe it's just liver disease? I have no idea.

Again, thank you!

Denamarin is milk thistle and SamE... very good in toxicity cases too. But get him on it asap.

Originally Posted by MyLittleLooster

marlenemaria: Thank you! He's been doing so much better since we've put him back on his K/d; I just wish he were this happy on his birthday

gemy: I'm praying that is it an extra-hepatic shunt and that surgery is successful. I would hate to choose surgery and then something go horribly wrong.

I'm extremely protective over Louie; therefore, I would have stayed probably 4 or 5 nights AFTER the surgery just to be safe. Louie doesn't really like car rides, so driving home right after (even if it is two days after) surgery wouldn't be an option.

It's really up to my parents on where the surgery is done. Here in Jacksonville, we have Affiliated Veterinarian Specialists, which is where Lou went when his liver failed. Doctor Carlos Aragon is who Dr. Tashach (internal medicine specialist) recommended for us, but I most definitely will look into Dr. Tobais' recommendation.

I've looked over his chemistry test results a few times. His protein was 1.9 December 31, and on January 29 it was 2.2 (said it could have been a misreading, but I don't believe it). His ALT in Dec. was 59; Jan it was 38. So, from what I see, he's still IMPROVING. To me, his ALT wouldn't just "elevate." He has to be getting better some way or anything. Also, with the test results in January, we were feeding him that little bit of Royal Canin and he was off of his Clavamox. The only thing that was actually wrong was the bloody diarrhea, but Yorkies have sensitive digestive systems.

I am just so lost at what we should do. I know surgery is the best option, but we'd have to save, causing the surgery to be a little late.

In LS dogs, more than one liver enzyme will be high, and only 2-3 times the normal value. If you dog's ALT is the only enzyme affected... that is due to the toxic event, IMHO. The link I posted discusses bloodwork results, and it is the Univ of Tennessee, Dr Karen Tobias.