lymphangiectasia

[Patti]

I am so sorry for all of you going through this. I will keep them in my prayers.

[143julz]

I'm so sorry for those with pups with this disease.
I've never heard of this before, I fell like i learned something else at another's expense, I'm so sorry. I hope there is something that can be done. Please update us, I'll send good vibes your way.

[LuvMySissy]

Originally Posted by juliet1

Help! My 6 year old Yorkie Spencer has just been diagnosed with disease. It's a lymph based genetic disease which yorkies are prone to apparently. They can't absorb protein. He's had spells of vomiting and diarrhea last week and just when I though he was getting better, I noticed yesterday he had a huge belly full of fluid and weighed a full pound heavier because of it. The doctors finally diagnosed it after taking a second look at his bloodwork and noticing his albumin levels were low. He's been prescribed steroids and a special dog food which is essential to his being well. This is not a curable disease but a treatable one if the dog responds to treatment apparently. I'm worried he is not eating his food. He is very picky and used to having royal canin food for yorkies and some cesar food with it. I've tried boiling chicken and mixing it with this new food but to no success. Any experience anyone has with this would be so helpful. I'm devastated by the diagnosis and have been crying since yesterday. Thank you.

Originally Posted by ErikaLA79

About 3 months ago our two year old Yorkie, Bentley, started getting sick with the same symptoms...diarrhea and vomiting. We did test after test and finally it was narrowed down to either Lymphangiectasia or some type of food intolerance. In order to know for sure we would have to spend another $2,000 on a biopsy surgery. Our vet is not that familiar with Lymphangiectasia but talked with a specialist who thinks this is most likely the cause. So about a month and a half ago, we started treating him for Lymphangiectasia.

We have had him on special Royal Canin food, meds, and B12 shots. He is doing a lot better than 3 months ago but still is having recurrences for a day every week or two. I am hoping the vomiting will occur less frequently over time. Anyways, I wanted to let you know that we buy the dry and wet Royal Canin food. Twice a day, I give him a half a cup of the dry food and a couple spoon fulls of the wet food and hide his pills in the wet food...both him and my Maltese go crazy over the wet food (it is stinky). If that doesn't work...hang in there. When we first started treatment for Lymphangiectasia it took about a week before he started acting like himself again. I feel your pain, it breaks my heart to see my normally carefree energetic little guy not feeling well. My only hope is that they say the disease is not curable but definitely treatable.

Originally Posted by littlerudy

Well, after several months of an ill little 7 yr old Yorkie I finally know what's going on. It's a condition mentioned here lymphagietasia?(sp) a PLE condition common to yorkies. I have spent almost $4,000 trying to find out what's wrong. (He's always had tummy troubles so no vet insurance for this.) Blood work, stool samples, pee samples, biopsies, different vets, different foods, metronizanole/flagyl antibiotics etc. It worries me because there is lots of fluid in Rudy's belly but the vet is trying to determine whether prednizone is the way to go. I work and come home and am afraid to leave my little guy. This is no way to live and is heart-wrenching watching my dog waste away. I have never joined something like this but everyone seems to be going through the exact same thing. I just don't want my dog in pain.

I am so sorry I didn't see your thread until just now. Back in November, Sissy, my 3 year old yorkie was diagnosed with early stages of PLE. I consulted with Susan Davis, pet nutritionist, adjusted her diet, and started her on a few supplements along with weekly B12 injections. It is highly unusual for PLE to be diagnosed in early stages (found completely by accident as I requested a blood panel to see how she was doing).

Although it appears that chicken is low in fat - it is really quite high. Should be off the diet plan completely. Most times kibble won't work here as the diet also needs to be lower in protein. Fish oil also isn't recommended. Instead, using a quality organic coconut oil provides essential oils that are lower in fat than fish oil.

Sissy was just re-tested last week and her TLI is now at a NORMAL level!!!!! We are continuing her on the current diet plan along with her priobitic and vitamineral green and she will remain on those!!!!! B12 injections continue as well, but move toward every third week.

Here is Susan's information if you are interested. Best $75 ever spent!!!!
Pet Health Pet Nutritionist Holistic Pet

[juliet1]

Thank you all so much for your kind words and all the support you've given me. I finally have good news, well better news. Thousands of dollars later, Spencer is doing great. He is fluid free, sassy as ever and acting like a puppy again. We did an ultrasound, changed his diet, started him on prednisone and after lots of tests and countless opinions, it looks like Spencer does not have lymphangectasia, but a kidney problem. The vets spent so much of their personal time researching his condition and I think they've learned a lot through this as well. His protein levels are low, but markedly up. He is still losing protein, but its through his urine. Hopefully, he'll continue to improve, the doctors think he either had an acute kidney problem and/or the beginning of kidney disease. Either way, he's doing great and I am so blessed he does not have lymphangectasia. I can't thank you all enough for your positive thoughts, prayers and well wishes. I could not have gotten through all of this without you. I'm off to play with my little man, and enjoy every second I have with him. Juliet