Hi

Thanks again for all your replies.

The vet called me today to give me the results of the acid bile tests and it is conclusive that she definitely has liver damage. He is not sure as she is so young whether it is congenital or cancerous. He is referring her to a specialist, Dick Whites in Newmarket for a liver biopsy and a scan.

Not the news I was hoping to hear.

Can anyone suggest a good diet for dogs with liver damage and any suggestions that can make me feel like I'm doing all I can for Tess while we are waiting.

Thanks very much.

Poor Tess, hope she gets better! Sorry can't offer any advice but you have my sympathy. Hugs x

We tried the R.Canin hepatic diet but it didnt agree at all. She (as a last resort) is now on Eukanuba Intestinal diet which strangely enough is agreeing. Our middle girl is on it. Ask your vet about it, its prescription diet. £49 for 10 kilos. When nothing else agrees, its a blessing to find one that does agree even if it is expensive. The RC hepatic diet was £63. I give Rosie a few nuggets each day of it as im loathe to dump such an expensive food.

Took Tess to Dick White Referrals in Newmarket today and had to leave her there so they could do further tests.

They did an ultrasound and the specialist said that she has a Portosystemic Shunt and cysts on her kidney. He says her liver is very small and evidence of damage but they won't know how much damage until they open her up.

He said that they won't do any operation on the shunt until she has been on a medical management diet for a month, which is antibiotics, low protein diet and lactulose and then decide. He also said that if they do the operation they are not sure if her liver will cope with the extra blood supply.

I'm trying not to worry but my poor little girl is not yet 3 years old and having to go through all this.

I'm going to pick her up tomorrow and I will also get results of her urine tests to tell if the cysts are causing any problems. It never rains but pours.

Oh Chick, what a mess you must be, so hard when your dog has health issues and at such a young age, I have read a it about the Portosystemic Shunt and it is there from birth so you girl has done well to not get sick before the age of 3. I am sure that doesnt help though, but to my knowledge it is treatable and then manageable and your girl (depending on the damage can have a relatively good life. Hug to you.
If you want me to get the info I read about it just let me know

So sorry to hear this. Rosie's liver is deterioating too. We may have to make a decision..

I am so sorry to hear about Rosie. I can't imagine what you are going through.I saw the specialist today when I picked Tess up and he has told me that her liver is very small and damaged. If they do the operation he is not sure her liver will cope with the extra blood and if it works she may still die of seizures and will still have to be on medication for life. I have to go back in three weeks time and he will decide then to operate or not. I am more confused than ever now! Why don't vets ever say "I recommend you do this ...." instead of "it is your decision". Do I put her through a difficult operation on the very slim chance it will work for her or do I keep her on medication that won't cure the problem and may not work for ever. I keep thinking every time I go to the vets I will have an answer or a decision, it is really difficult not knowing. Tess is now on Royal Canin Hepatic, antibiotics and lactulose, the vet will then do further blood tests to see if this has helped her condition and if her liver is up to the operation. Apart from all that, it has just cost £1145.00 for the tests etc at the specialist. I'm not sure yet how much the operation will cost. He said it would cost between 1.5 and 2 thousand for the liver biopsy when we spoke before so goodness knows what it will cost for the actual operation.My mind is spinning.He did give me a fact sheet on shunts so I'm going to have a further read on this.Thanks to everyone for their well wishes.Sarah