end stage liver disease in canines

[nohorn]

My 4-legged pal for the past 8 yrs, 24/7 has liver disease. For four years she has had high ALP liver enzyme readings, she has now become lethargic, somewhat alert at time. Her readings on all four enzymes are now high . her highest ALP enzyme is at 10,000 that is how bad it is. A hundred or so is normal.

My question is how many days, does she have. She is very thin, she does eat some. My plan is to do euthanasia when she stops eating or cannot get up anymore. She does not have diareahea (sp) or vomiting yet. Her
liver is not processing the intake properly.

Does any one have experience in this to give advice. she is 11 y.o., mixed German Shepherd. It is of course, breaking my heart, but life goes on. She is on Sam -E, ursodial, liver supplements, under care of vet, she has baffled the vets for 4-years who predicted her demise when her values were first up. In fact the vet will writing a paper on this enigma. She might have this in combination with gastrointestinal disease. Any experiences will be most appreciated.
Thank You
Nohorn

[bunkmoreland]

dont have any experience of her particular disease nohorn,but its ghastly to lose a pet,particularly when its a long drawn out thing. from my own experience,liver function failure in pets,can sometimes end quicker than we have been advised. It can change within hours. You will know your pal to know when it is time. All my thoughts with you Bunk

[nohorn]

Hi thanks Bunk
This is the hardest thing I have done.

[bunkmoreland]

how is she at the minute? its hard sleeping yourself i'm sure?

[jules77]

I had a dog with liver disease, plus a number of other problems, I cant remember his readings or the particular medication he was on, other than ID diet. We said our goodbyes when he was 14.5, but his demise was due to a nasal tumour.

A very good friend of mine has a 13 year old dog with a Liver Shunt, who she was told to have pts when he was 6 weeks old, but he has outlived his kennel mates. He had a period a few months ago when we thought it was his time as he wasnt eating, but she has introduced a small amount of grated cheese to his food, which he shouldnt have TBH, and he is eating with gusto again.

You will know when the time is right, it is one of the hardest things we do for our pets, yet one of the kindest as we dont want them to suffer.

[lankeela]

I always feel its better a day too soon than a moment too late. My criteria is if they are eating and can get out to go to the toilet, otherwise they have no dignity left. Sorry for you, been there many times and it doesn't get easier no matter how many dogs you have, or how many times. It is the last act of love we can do for them - sadly I am at present nursing a human friend who is very near the end, and suffering terribly. She is begging us to do what she would do if it was one of her animals.

[garner]

My thoughts are with you nohorn,none of this is easy.

[notasyoungasiwas]

Same as garner. I'm thankful every day that my 13 year old dog is fit and well, but I know it will be my turn one day. Bless you - wish I could help x

[nohorn]

Note to Bunk et al.

You asked now how she is doing. This is Sunday, a.m. (U.S), yesterday I independently put her on some clavamox, which I had left over, she got a full days dosage of this antibiotic, she slept thru the night, is in complete control of her bladder, etc., this morning, she ate two cans of food, and wanted out, very alert, etc.

I am going to give her a full two week dosage and see how she progresses.
Her muscle tone is poor after losing weight, if she could gain weight that would be good. This is a puzzle, can't wait to tell my vet of her response to that antibiotic.
I even got to sleep nearly the night thru! I would love to turn this around!

I had the clavamox left over from a previous time. I will report in next week to describe what is happening. Thanks everyone!

[bunkmoreland]

wow nohorn,i honestly wasnt expecting such positive news from you,but how great a response is that:-) your relief levels at the minute must be all smiley! Hoping she keeps this up,and the interest in going out is a really good sign. will be thinking of you both and sending good positive wishes
Bunk

[nohorn]

OK Today is Monday, I ordered some liver tonic for pets from Petswellbeing, the testimonials if true, sound too good to believe. I will try additional herbs and see if she could match some of those reported recoveries. I sure would like to have her for a bunch of months more. Her nickname is "love-bug".

[bunkmoreland]

good to hear from you ;) we love our pets so very much eh? it helps to know when other people care too! so much luck in finding more help for your "love bug" :-) x our nickname for our bundle of joy is "flea bag"!! she came to us with a few problems ;-)