Barney is getting tested for Leptospirosis!

[107barney]

Originally Posted by luv_my_yorkies

First off, let me tell you how very happy to hear that at the end what seemed like a frustrating and upsetting path, there was happiness and your pup is healthy!

We are into about month two of what is becoming a confuisng and frustrating situation ourselves. I posted about what we have already been through here... http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...s-disease.html In taking our Valentino in for routine bloodwork and urine testing before a tooth cleaning, we were given some unsettling news. There were white blood cells in his urine. So...long story short we follwed up with further testing. Our vet was convinced he had some more severe problems going on and his liver tests showed problems with his enzymes. She threw out terms like "Cushing's", "Addison's disease" and even..."Cancer". We were thrown into a tailspin and made an appointment for a ultrasound at the specialist. We got the ultrasound which showed a "liver on the larger size and some inflamation". We were sent home with a diagnosis of "bartonellosis" and put on an antibiotic.

A bile acid test a month later is now showing even worse enzyme numbers and Tino again has an appointment for a follow-up ultrasound appointment and possible biopsy on tuesday.

The part that really has myself, my hubby and my vet flustered is that he has absolutely NO symptoms....not a one. I am lucky enough to spend a typical 23/24 hours a day with this sweet boy. Friends and family laugh that I can anticipate even if he is going to "sneeze". That is how well I know my boy and I know that there is nothing different about his demeanor, he has shown no signs of pain...not a thing!!! He is his silly, michevious, hungry, rambuncious, smart self!!!

Well, this morning I had an overwhelming feeling inside that I was going to go to that appointment equipt with some knowlege of how to help our boy. So....I googled "liver diseases with no visible symptoms" and found this thread in google! After reading through the 10 + pages I feel like you could be talking about Tino!!!! We have been an urban family for 5 years, only to move to a suburb for the past two years...and I didn't even think this could be a possibility. But I plan on doing some more research and bringing all my findings to his appointment. And I am not leaving until I am offered a lepto test!!!!

Thank you so much for this info, and I hope you and your family are well

Thanks for your note and I'm sorry you are going through this with Tino. I am not sure after reading your thread that his issues are the same as my Barney's were. Barney's liver ALP was elevated (mildly, but persistently)....upon ultrasound the kidney in combo with the liver was what led to put lepto on the table as a rule/out diagnosis. The test for lepto was about $100. I will never know if Barney really had it because he had prior vaccination with leptospirosis vaccine as late as 2008 so that could have thrown a positive titer. Of course his levels were right on the cusp of infection vs. prior vaccine to make it even more questionable. His liver is still elevated and he is now on liver medications. He is an older dog, and the cause is unknown, but it is mild and my vets do not think his overall clinical presentation or his bloodwork warrant further invasive diagnostics. I'm just not putting my 11 year old dog that runs around like a puppy who has no care in the world through anything like a liver biopsy. I opted to treat him with Denosyl and Marin to see if those medications improve his liver. I just can't treat the dog because of lab work imperfections and ignore his healthy demeanor of a well dog and I doubt any of my vets would suggest that.

I wish you the best for Tino, I'll follow his thread, and if you think I can be of any help with this lepto experience feel free to PM.

[Foster Mom]

I am so sorry, you are in my thoughts and prayers

[luv_my_yorkies]

Tino was put on the sam-E, milk thistle combo Denamirin as well as a vitamin E supplement last month so we are hoping that will help a bit too. I couldn't agree with you more about putting a happy, seemingly healthy pup through unnecessary biopsies and intrusive procedures. It seems so cruel, especially after the specialist was convinced at our last ultrasound that he had contracted some type of "environmental" issue thus creating his liver/ kidney issues.

Also, Tino is our little explorer and loves to smell, roll in and walk through all the gunk and junk he can find...his speciality is rolling in fresh bird poop (EWWW!!!! ). I always just chalked it up to him being a curious little boy and then just gave him a good shampoo. It's so crazy to read about lepto and see how easily it is transmitted

Of course we will go in with an open mind and hope for the best, but I feel like this has given me a good insight on a possible reason for his liver enzyme abmormalities and kidney issues. He has already been put through some different blood tests and has been such a trooper. I have called the vet to get all his vaccine records so I can take them with me to the specialist as well...

Thanks for your response, please wish us luck