Overwhelmed - Heart And Liver Problems In A 9.5 Year Old

[Guest suzanne]

Hi all, here is a short background to my story:

 

http://forum.greytalk.com/index.php/topic/292234-early-heart-failure/?hl=%2Bearly+%2Bheart+%2Bfailure

 

Basically I am looking for help in dealing with early cardiomyopathy and chronic hepatitis in a 9.5 year old male ex racing greyhound.

 

He is on the following heart medication: http://www.petmeds.co.uk/p-4455-benazecare-flavoured-5mg.aspx

 

He has no clinical symptoms beyond a recent diarrhoea bug taking far more out of him than it would have a young dog. he was really, really unwell for a day or two. he enjoys life, loves to go for walks, eats, plays.

 

The vet says that a low fat diet is all we can do for the hepatitis, no medication.

 

I want to know if i should have him on any further medication, or supplements for these issues.

 

I think I also need to know if I should expect a much shorter lfe span.

 

This is my heart dog and I am feeling really overwhelmed dealing with these things, which is not helping him.

[Guest OPointyDog]

I would ask about using Denamarin, which is a supplement that supports liver health for the hepatitis. When our grey/GSD mix had trouble with her liver values, that medication turned her around!

 

ETA: I'm sorry for what you are going through - it's so scary when our loved ones are ill.

Edited February 23, 2013 by OPointyDog

[TheFullHouse]

Denamarin, though expensive may help stop the progression of the liver disease.

[nessa]

Hi,

I do not know about the heart issues but the Denamarin is a must for our liver girl!!

Ours was diagnosed with chronic active hepatitis at 10 and is now 12.5.

 

We also use lactulose ( ask your vet what they think about that too). It helps with absorption of food so the liver does not work so hard ( not explaining it well, but our girl was having seizures because of her liver and has not had one since being on these things).

 

I would think at least Denamrin for sure.

[tbhounds]

Hi,

I do not know about the heart issues but the Denamarin is a must for our liver girl!!

Ours was diagnosed with chronic active hepatitis at 10 and is now 12.5.

 

We also use lactulose ( ask your vet what they think about that too). It helps with absorption of food so the liver does not work so hard ( not explaining it well, but our girl was having seizures because of her liver and has not had one since being on these things).

 

I would think at least Denamrin for sure.

Lactulose helps to reduce the ammonia levels :-)

[a_daerr]

I agree about the Denamarin, or some type of milk thistle liver support supplement. It's expensive, but very effective at regulating liver problems.

[JJNg]

I'm a little puzzled by the comment that there's nothing you can do for the hepatitis other than a low fat diet. How was the diagnosis of chronic hepatitis made? I read back through your previous thread and saw that he was originally diagnosed with liver issues on bloodwork back in November. And you mentioned that the specialist scanned the liver when he did the ultrasound too. Did he find any abnormalities? What were his actual liver values on the bloodwork, and what did the recheck bloodwork a month later show?

I agree that Denamarin is a great liver support supplement. But I'd personally want to investigate a bit further to find out exactly what's going on with his liver. There are a lot of different things that can affect liver bloodwork - some transient and minor, others more serious. And there are definitely treatment options if he has something more serious going on.

And was there a recommendation for a follow up echocardiogram to see if his cardiomyopathy is progressing? If it's early and mild, and progressing very slowly, his heart issue may not affect his lifespan at all. Hard to answer answer that question regarding the liver issue without more information about what the actual problem is.

[Guest suzanne]

I don't know what the actual numbers or anything were for the blood test results, either time. I probably should have asked for copies but i don't understand them so didn't. the vets are greyhound savvy though and knew of the way greyhound values can differ from other breeds.

 

there was absolutely no mention of re-doing the echo's, or doing much of anything beyond keeping an eye on his clinical signs (minimal if at all existent) and treating with the heart medication and a low fat diet.

 

This is from two different vets and a specialist and i am only getting more and more confused!!

[JJNg]

I'd suggest calling your vet(s) for more information. Ask them the same questions you asked here (whether any supplements or medications would help, whether you should expect a shorter lifespan). Also ask them to explain to you what his diagnoses are, how serious they feel it is, and what you need to do for long term follow up. IMO, part of a vet's job is to explain things so that the owner understands what's going on with their pet and what to expect.

 

Unfortunately, we can't really provide a whole lot of specific advice here without more information, but my guess is that his issues probably aren't all that serious if your vets didn't recommend much in terms of treatment or long term follow-up. Please let us know what you find out!