Liver failure in a 2 year old dog

[ode2joc]

When Lucy was 6 mo old we went to have her spayed. Her pre-surgical lab work showed high elevations in liver enzymes. We decided not to spay her and do more tests. The tests led us back to the spay so we could also take a liver biopsy while she was already open and under anesthesia. The liver biopsy came back as Hepatic Microvascular Dysplasia. There is no cure for HMD. We just fed her quality food and checked her liver values every once in a while.

About a month ago (Lucy is now 1 year 9 months), I saw some abnormal activity in her head. She was shaking her head in a way that a human would nod "no." After speaking with the doctor, we assumed that what I was seeing are called focal seizures (a seizure that involves only part of the body vs. the entire body). We did more blood work to check and make sure she was ok. Her liver values came back really high - higher than they were in the past. We put her on medications and rechecked liver values a week later to find that her liver values were still high. We ran more test to check liver function and found out that it was not functioning normally. At this point we decided that it was time to see some specialists and get an ultrasound.

We went to the University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital to meet with a specialist in small animal internal medicine. We had an ultrasound done. The ultrasound showed more symptoms, but didn't show the cause of her liver disease. Her bloodwork wasn't consistent with one specific liver disease. The doctor said that part of her bloodwork looked like she has a Portosystemic shunt, but there was probably some sort of underlying congenital liver disease as well. Because of the complexity of what she was presenting with we decided to do an abdominal exploratory surgery. We could have run a lot of tests to try to figure out what is wrong with her, but doing the surgery would be the best thing we could do diagnostically.

We were hoping for a repairable liver shunt. There are different kinds of shunts that can be put into 2 different categories: the kind she was born with (congenital) and the kind that are made from liver disease (acquired). Most of the ones that they are born with can be surgically repaired. The acquired shunts can not be repaired. Her doctors said she was a PERFECT candidate for the surgery because besides her liver enzymes she appears to be a very healthy dog.

Lucy went in for her abdominal exploratory surgery February 1st. The surgeons saw quickly that she had multiple acquired shunts. This is NOT what we wanted to hear. The surgeons also said that her liver is firm and small. They didn't even look for any shunts that could be repaired because even if they found one, her liver is already damaged. They took multiple biopsies from different lobes of the liver. They also checked her portal pressures (basically blood pressure specifically in the liver) and they were VERY high. We were hoping that the biopsies would reveal copper storage disease or something like that, but they didn't. She just was born with a bad liver.

Right now it looks like we will just have to manage her liver disease. We are treating with Neomycin, Marin, Denamarin, and will add Lactulose when she starts showing signs of hepatic encephalopathy. We do know that she will have a shortened life, we just don't know how short yet. Her doctors say that it could be under a year, but some cases can be managed for years. This is just all so hard to take in. It breaks my heart that such a terrible thing happens to such a happy dog.

Since her liver disease is congenital, I would REALLY like to contact the breeder and ask her not to breed those 2 dogs again. Is this acceptable for me to do? I do not know the breeder very well and I do not know how she will react.

My fiance and I are thinking about finding a holistic veterinarian to get a 4th opinion (she has 2 doctors at the University of Missouri and our primary veterinarian (who also happens to be my boss..)). Does anyone have any suggestions of a good holistic veterinarian in Central Missouri or St. Louis area? Has anyone seen a holistic veterinarian for liver disease before? What suggestions did you get from the veterinarian?

[Bumpy]

First, I'm real sorry to hear about your pups unfortunate health problems. Hopefully you can keep her happy for a lot longer.
 Second, I would not hesitate even a bit to let the breeder know of this. If the breeder is responsible she/he will want to know.
  Poor pup, best of luck going forward. hopefully someone will be along to give you some advice on the liver part of this.

[Samsons Mom]

Sorry to hear about her problems, poor girl. I would totally contact the breeder and let him/her know!

[Missy/Precious mom]

I am so sorry for Lucy's liver problems.  I would most definitely contact the breeder.    that the meds help and give her a long and happy life. 

[winterbabies]

I am soo sorry, I hope your dogs issues can be managed. Please do contact the breeder.

[Rubidawg]

This just breaks my heart. I am so sorry! I would definitely contact the breeder and let her know. Hopefully she'll be responsible enough and think twice before breeding this pair again.

My heart goes out to you. I hope you are able to manage this and really hope that Lucy has a long time left to spend giving lots of boxer kissies, boxer burns, big hugs and cuddles.

[BoxerPerson]

so sorry Lucy & and you are going thru this.  that she lives a long & happy life.  And yes I would call the breeder!

[BoxerWB]

Wow, what an ordeal you and your girl have been through in her short life! I agree, contact the breeder - if it's been determined to be genetic, they need to know!

[whitepupzoe]

I'm so sorry that you and your girl have to go thru this. 

I went through something similar with my Ariel when she was just a year old...but she had kidney failure.  With the right diet and meds we managed her disease for quite a while.

Check out this website...they have a ton of good information:

http://www.dogaware.com/specific.html#liver

[Eilene]

Praying for a miracle for her..

[Poohs mom]

I'll be sending my prayers along for her too !

[gsweeti119]

i am so sorry to hear about ur girl. that is devastating. she is so young. my thoughts are with you and best of luck managing her

[boxer pal]

I've looked for a holistic vet around here too, Jocelyn but the closest I can find is in St. Louis. 
I wish you had gotten better news about Lucy, but I know she's in VERY good hands with you and Andy!  She'll have a wonderful life, however long or short it is.   

[Samsons Mom]

Just read Neem Leaf help support liver function, maybe be something to look into-
http://www.discoverneem.com/neem-oil-for-dogs.html

[TLC Mom]

Check out this link to find a holistic vet in your area.

http://www.holisticvetlist.com/