julesluvscavs

Are the tins wet food did you mean?

Oh really Jules. Maybe they not aware of that, since they don't usually stock it. They will probably call me about it as they are putting the order in next Monday. How much is in the tins?

One of my friends said in regards to me trying her on that Milk thistle herb .. ''I would like to suggest that you check with the vet before giving Milk Thistle to Renae as it also works to detox which means that it could interfere with or stop the meds she is on from building up and/or taking effect.'' http://www.ehow.com/list_6665037_dangers-milk-thistle-canines.html

Ok thanks, will look into it. I have ordered some of the L/D dry food, and the vets have said theres a money back guarantee if she won't eat it. I seriously doubt she won't eat it because she will eat anything, shes a cav :laugh: Its very expensive ! (in my world anyway) This is what Scoota was on when he was first diagnosed - see my first post - he was also on SAMe (for 6 months - its available at Pharmacies and costs about $35-$40 a bottle) and mine wouldn't touch the L/D food Yeah i went back and looked at your first post again :) I will look into it We have just spent a bucketful already over last few days, so when I have saved up again will probably get some . I googled about those antibiotics and it says something about not suitable for dogs with liver issues, or something to that effect? so i hope the vet knows what shes doing ! Oh thats good that one of the dogs in this thread really loves that L/D dry food. I have ordered some for Renae. Im sure she will eat it without any problems :)

Ok I will look into getting some Hills L/D food.. where would i get that SAMe from? how much of it would you give a cavalier a day? She gets glyde most nights, http://www.glydefordogs.com/

Any updates about Oscar ???

Thanks stellnme :) It does seem all very confusing right now. I keep thinking how on earth if thats what shes got, how did such toxins build up in her body. I think its early stage, so im hoping the meds will nip it in the bud! We will find out in 6 weeks i guess, There has been talk about liver biopsies if the meds don't work, but i don't know if i want to put her through all of that at her age.. its not like she's really ill at this stage,, I really hope the shakes/tremors/trances are part of it all, and that will come right when her liver is working properly again. I can only hope and be positive for now :)

We hope the meds will work too Jules ! No she didnt suggest the Hills L/D food actually. Renae has that in the past for upset stomachs. I might bring it up with her when i check with her about the milk thistle, as i have no idea when i find it, how much to actually give her of it? What us SAMe?

I'm not sure tbh, the vet is ordering them in. My husband was the one to take Renae to the U/S, and he cant remember what she said they were? All we know is they going be quite expensive ! eeek I will let you know what they are when they are ready to be picked up.. the ones we have atm is an Antibiotic called Metronidazole 200mg every 12 hours for the next 21 days.

The good news is they didn't find any tumours just some weak areas eg her gall bladder, so given all the symptoms and recent blood test results, they have come to the conclusion it is most likely reactive hepatitis , either built up from source of toxin (mostly found in dogs that have eaten diseased dead carcases) which in her case thats never occurred (as they are mostly inside or in a small area of our backyard which we keep clean and we mostly supervise them), or it could be some viral bacteria thats got into her system somehow, or in the rare case she might have also had a rare reaction to the comfortis we started on them earlier this year. They are not convinced its that, but they cant outrule it. (its very rare they said as a reaction to comfortis or any medication a dog has been on, but it can happen) Her liver is showing signs of shutting down, so they want her go on 2 lots of medications (one is being especially being made up atm) and either it will help rejuvenate her liver and organs, and if it doesn't work, then she will deteriorate. She has to have another blood test in 6 weeks time to see if the meds are working or not.. unless she gets worse then she has to come in sooner. They don't quite know if the tremors/shakes are associated but it does make sense the vet said if there are toxins in the liver then its possible its coming out in that form.. so either shes going get better, or worse. Time will tell but for now she's not losing weight or vomiting, so that's a positive thing .. They did suspect Cushings but its more probable to be this reactive hepatitis condition. I forgot to check about giving her that milk thistle that some of you have given your dogs, but when the vet rings again to let me know to pick up the second lot of meds, I will ask then. I guess we will have to go from what the results reveal in 6 weeks time.. She's just over 10 years old, and still healthy otherwise.

How very tragic and so sad How terrifying it would have been ending her life that way. To look at that pic of the dogs altogether, who would have thought they were capable.. but i guess pack mentality can and does take over..

Thanks Sheridan, will do ;)

So sorry to hear of the loss of your Mia RIP Mia Id be wanting to get Oscar to the vet very quickly and being checked over and tested! Hope it's nothing too serious and can be treated!

All the best Grumpy's update test and hoping it will be will be a good one :)

Thanks stellnme :) Her appointment is at 9.45 SA time.

Yeah he checked her mouth Jules, and He said it was fine, apart from a little bit of plague that has come back on a couple of her teeth

Thank you Sheridan for your reply :) If it comes to that I will stay with her, if she needs that other test. I will bring it up with the vet. Hope Grumpy is doing ok all things considering?

Thank you Stellnme for your reply in my post in another section of dol I'm so sorry about the loss of your Marlie. Thank you for giving her another chance in life, and providing her with love, happiness and a safe place . RIP Marlie Your tribute to her is beautiful. x

Hi Stellnme. firstly I am so sorry to hear about your dog you must be devastated *hugs* I will bring up about that test you mentioned as Cushings is on the list of what could be wrong, altho I do not want her having to be at the vets for longer than she has to be without me (its a long story, and its a sore point with me) Renae's last blood test was a few months ago when she had to have surgury on her gums and for the removal of a benign tumour (on her gums) I will see what the U/S reveals tomorrow. If she is diagnosed with Cushings at any stage, I will get in touch with Sheridan then, I've been going over things in my head, as you do, and blaming myself about if ive been feeding her the wrong food, treats etc... what is something in them has caused it .. I shouldn't tho as we still don't what is exactly wrong with her. I have heard of 2 other dogs with similar symptoms with the trance like state/tremors, but both had cancer. Of course im worrying atm. Once again I am really sorry to hear about the passing of your dog x

I just googled the symptoms of it, and none of them really apply to her apart from being on the lethargic side, which at her age is fairly normal now. She's not stiff or sore anywhere that I can tell. The vet did an examination of her as well and said she was fine with movement.. She hasn't been vomiting either..

I don't know tbh ?? Ive never heard of it in the Cav circles.. I will check if they have tested her potassium levels when we take her in for her U/S tomorrow.. I dont even know what Addison's is, I will google it?

Thank you again Ptolomy :) I will look for some, but i will see what the U/S brings tomorrow first See with Renae, shes defiantly not off food, its quite the other way around ! ;-) Interesting about the other toller in NSW who is distantly related to yours is going through the same thing too..

Oh ok Jules. well the only reason I took Renae in to have some blood work was because of her mild shakes and a bit of weird turn she had months ago. We had her tested previously for diabetes and cushings (which the cushings levels were a bit under normal range, as with this recent test as well) IF anything she wants to eat more, and has no trouble eating what i do give her. She's always scratching the pantry and trying to get our attention to give her more food. this has been going on for months now, which is why they tested for for diabetes and cushings. I have heard it can take a couple years to come out tho,, I have diabetes myself and its took a few years to show itself up properly in tests. The trance/shakes can happen at any time of the day, but she fine when shes's sleeping which is heaps now .They never last more than a few seconds, and its not constantly all the time, just here and there. I had been thinking it could just be an age relate thing as i have heard 'some' older dogs do get a bit shaky as they are getting older. It will be interesting to see if the U/S shows anything? How is Amber now ?

Thank you Ptolomy for you helpful reply. It does all seem full on and confusing to me atm. I didn't think to ask vet what her level numbers are. Milk thistle does seem to come up a fair bit when i was googling about it, I have never heard of it before. Where do you get it from ? I will wait and see if the Ultasound shows up anything? if not then we will go from there i guess, I am very reluctant at her age to put her through any invasive tests. Glad to hear your toller is doing much better now :)

Thank you for your reply SchnauzerMax :) I did ask the vet if he suspected it could be pancreatitis, as I have diabetes and have fluctuating liver levels myself from time time.. He did not think thats the problem. We did suspect Cushings a while back and she has been tested for it, and her levels were slightly under normal. I think he said they were still down a bit with this recent blood test, but not of a significant level to be worried about I hope whatever it is, it can be found and fixed .. A friend of mine her cavalier suffers with bouts of pancreatitis and has had to cut out most fats in her diet..