Introducing Fraser - our sweet Fraser has crossed The Bridge

BUMP, can someone take a look at Frasiers lab work that is off and indicating problems. Naomi needs a plan. :)

Sharlene

Hi Naomi,

I'm so sorry these issues have come up for you two!! Sharlene has been doing a wonderful job of trying to help and also summoning others of us to help. Sadly, though, I don't know very much about liver abnormalities which would seem to be what you are dealing with. Everything I've read does point to an ultrasound as the next best diagnostic, which you already know. Or what about a bile acids test -- has that been discussed? For what it's worth, here's are links to a couple of articles that I've found helpful in the past. But I don't know whether or not they will tell you anything else now that you don't already know.

http://veterinarymedicine.dvm360.com...ID=1&sk=&date=

http://www.idexx.it/pdf/it_it/smalla...er-disease.pdf

I will keep my eyes open and shoot along any other helpful literature that I may find.

Marianne

I went on the Dogaware site and Mary has many tests and links listed. I did not post the link to her website as I thought it may be too overwhelming, sorting through it yourself.:(

The ultra sound will give a better picture I think. I understand the money issues, sometimes we have to wait or pick which may give us the best "bang for our buck" so to speak.

I wish I had helpful input but I do not.:o:o

I can give you a big hug though:)

I believe the abnormal values in the electrolytes, namely the sodium (NA), potassium (K), and calcium (CA) might be attributed to the low post number. Dr Peterson recommends that the post number not drop any further than 2 ug/dl (55 n/mol) so Fraser's post number does concern me.

I agree with Marianne's suggestion of a bile acid test, as it can be an aid in the evaluation of liver function.

Gosh Naiomi, so sorry you are having these issues with Fraser and I do hope that this turns around soon.

Sending huge hugs and love, Lori

At work right now so need to make this quick.

Thanks guys for the replies though. Weirdly I'm not even worried about the ACTH numbers as that is a known quantity with a seemingly very easy solution. I took him off Trilo for a couple of days then have been on 10mg morning only, but will start on new dose of 5mg bd on thursday. (wow, what a drop from the initial 60mg!) Re-evaluate in a month then.

It's the liver tests that are really concerning me. I am going to book him in for an ultra sound next week when I am on holidays and don't need to take another day off work (also, payday next week) so will get a full picture then. The hardest thing is the unknown I think. Is it an infection, is it a blockage, is it cancer? Is it something else I haven't even considered???

In the meantime, I have been trying to look for info re liver diets, but knowing how much of a fussy bug he is (would prefer to starve than eat something he doesn't like - even in full blown cushing's mode) I don't even know if I'm wasting my time there either. If anyone has any hints for home cooked liver friendly foods, I'm all ears.

Thanks again.

Hi Naomi,

I can recommend a good book that has some liver diets in it - K9 Kitchen by Monica Segal. You can get used copies from Amazon fairly inexpensively. Monica also has a nutrition forum that is very active - Monica often responds herself and she has some really good, knowledgeable moderators. Here is a link to her forum - http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/K9Kitchen/

Just off the top of my head she recommends fish, eggs, yogurt and veggies that have both soluable and insoluable fibers in a good balance. I will be glad to write up the diets from my copy of her book and PM them if you like. I am working on the same thing as you since it appears Squirt's liver is damaged. :( Being a 15 year old organ doesn't help either in her case. Her appetite is also very iffy these days so I am frequently having to change what I offer her...and fearing the day when nothing is appealing to her. :( Fraser is much younger so you shouldn't have to face that issue, hopefully.

Squirt's latest diet contains dark chicken meat, sweet potatoes, white rice, salmon, beef liver and quinoa (with calcium carbonate, taurine, zinc, manganese, fish oil and Vit E added) from her nutritional / herbal consultant, Catherine Lane. This worked well until she got sick a few weeks ago and she is turning up her nose at this now. :rolleyes: This morning the thought of trying RAW actually crossed my mind as a serious option :eek: - and I am NOT a raw proponent at all, especially in pups who are already ill. It was a straw grasping thought - one of many I have every hour it seems.

I think the US and bile acid test are great ideas. ;)

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

Thanks Leslie, any help at this stage is welcome. I wouldn't call Fraser a lot younger than Squirt though, just a little. He is 13.5 yrs, 14 in September so he's done a fair wicket himself.

I emailed the blood results to my sister and was just at her house while she looked at them. She seems to think his white cell count is raised as well which may be why the specialist thought there could be an infection causing this, so I can still live in hope I guess (for a while anyway)

The bit that is not helping with diet at the moment is that both of the boys are actually intolerant to chicken. It gives both very sloppy bowel movements and revolting breath! They are good with turkey but it's frequently not available. I'm just not sure if red meat (i.e. beef and lamb) actually adds to the problem? So any help or recipes you could pass on would be great.

I will definitely check out that website over the weekend, the next couple of days at work are going to be madness, but come midday friday I am on holidays! Bring them on!

Thanks again!

Hi Naomi, will pop over for cuppa! Bit of a long walk though :) loving Melbourne, great shopping!

I also would want ultrasound to check what's happening in liver, gall bladder area. Also renal panel with urea up, ask for UPC.

Bet yr hanging out for holidays to spend more time with the boys will catch up better when I get home, typing on this iPad sucks

Tris xxx

Does Fraser like fish? Here are 2 links to diets for a dog with liver issues, the first link is to a liver cleansing diet: http://www.canine-epilepsy.com/Liver...ing%20diet.htm

This second link is a liver friendly diet: http://www.monicasegal.com/liver-friendly-diet.html

from what I read on Dogaware, you dont want to cut the protein down too much unless it is diagnosed severe liver disease.

I thought for sure I posted the diet link from that website but must have dreamed it:o:o

I'll go find it again:):)