Update on Dogs Liver

[Scott in NCal]

First I want to thank all the people that responded with their ideas and well wishes for Loni, my 7 year old Airedale Terrier. She has elevated liver enzymes. All other blood work is normal and she has no fever. We had a complete abdominal ultrasound and they found no evidence of any tumors or other disease. She weighs the same as last year, 43pounds, and seems to have no pain, she does not act guarded or seem sore when she moves. The vets think it may be some infection and inflamation that are causing liver issues. They put her on two medications. 28 days of Metronidazole 250 mg X twice daily, and 450 mg of Denamarin once a day for 20 days. I have never heard of either of these and will look them up when I get time. Also they said that feeding her milk weed, avaliable at any health food or drug store can only help. So the plan is give the meds to take her back in 90 days for a retest, unless she starts to gets worse. If I didn't know this dog I would think she is fine. She is just not herself.

 

[Jessie]

Go with your gut. You know her moods and behaviors. I think you're doing all that's possible, and I'm glad to hear that they've found nothing further that's wrong.
Good idea to read up on the meds. Some dogs have unusual reactions to some of them.
Probably antibiotics of some sort since they're suspecting infections.
Good luck and scratch her ears for me.

 

[rwsmith]

I hope this takes care of it...

... I hope this takes care of whatever the problem is. Livers can be mysterious. I know that first hand.

 

[skeezix]

My dog had the same phenomenon. He's just a mutt and is 7 years old. Everything fine for 5 years, then all of a sudden liver enzymes shot up. No change in diet or anything else. Vet said everything else appeared normal.

Vet put him on Denamarin for a month. Rechecked and no reduction in high liver enzymes, and they are still high.

Vet said sometimes that happens as dogs age. He said as long as he seems healthy and alert and active, he wasn't going to worry about it.

 

[Salty RI]

Did he say milk weed or milk thistle, I know people with liver problems take milk thistle.

 

[chaparrito]

Milk Thistle. I take it daily as a liver protectant.

 

[S42N8]

Google is a good thing.

Metronidazole is an antibiotic. Denamarin is a liver function supplement; main ingredients are S-Adenosylmethionine and Silybin-phosphatidylcholine complex (SPC). The first is a metabolic compound that the body naturally makes to support liver function; the second is the active ingredient of milk thistle (silybin) that Salty RI and chaparirito mentioned. Sounds like good stuff. Best wishes and tummy rubs for Loni.

Denamarin Chewable Tablets for Animal Use - Drugs.com

 

[JcMack]

My 11lb 11 year old dog has taken Phenobarbital for seizures for 4 years. Last month the Daisy's blood test showed the beginnings of liver problems. The Vet told me to give her milk thistle. I've tried it but it gives her loose bowel movements. I'm gonna have to continue giving it to her but I hope it's not hurting her.