Cooper's Biopsy

[Martha & Cooper]

His Internal Medicine Vet called this evening and said the Biopsy came back. It was a good news, bad news situation. Good news was, we made the right call by not going ahead with surgery last week. Cooper doesn't have a liver shunt.

Bad News. The biopsy shows he has the other liver disease we talked about. Hepatic Microvascular Dysplasia. Basically, he has many small shunts all over his liver. His blood vessels aren't formed properly. The Vet feels that he still is in a mild to low moderate stage. He wants to try and taper him off two of the three meds and see how he responds. So, I am starting that today and will call him in two weeks for further instructions. We may try to cut the anti-seizure med at that point too.

:-(

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

Oh Martha... I hope the meds help Cooper sending doodles hugs your way.

[Martha & Cooper]

Thanks

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Thank you for letting us know. I'm so sad you have to go through this and that Cooper is not a well boy.   It looks like that with careful management Cooper can have a decent quality of life and that you will have to find the correct feeding/drugs regime for him. A blog I read here from someone who has a dog with this condition was very hopeful.  If you want the link just DM me there was a lot about drugs and special foods on it. I can't imagine how hard this is for you but I do know there are lots of people here who really care and we will all send all our support and love as best we can to you. Best Wishes Nicky & Riley

[Martha & Cooper]

Thanks Nicky,  I have the link now and will forward it to his Internist and see what  he says. 

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Martha, I'm sorry to hear this, it sounds like the vet may find the right combination for him to feel better. We are keeping Cooper in our thoughts and hope that he will be ok.

[Martha & Cooper]

Thank you

[Martha & Cooper]

Much Appreciated

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I'm so sorry...I know how you must be feeling.  I'm so glad though that he doesn't have a liver shunt.  It sounds like the Hepatic Microvascular Dysplasia can be managed with the right medications, and at least it's in a fairly mild stage.  Please know there are lots of us thinking of you and Cooper and sending positive energy your way.

[Martha & Cooper]

Thanks Jane, and Yes, I am hoping his is still manageable.  Vet told us to take it one step at a time. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm sorry, Martha. I hope that Cooper will respond well to his treatment.

I know what it is to have a chronically ill dog with a condition that can be managed through diet and meds, but not cured. I am going through a similar situation with Jack right now. The best advice I can give you is to try not to look too far into the future right now. Take it day by day.

We will be keeping you both in our thoughts.

[Martha & Cooper]

Thanks Karen,   I think about Jack and all the other Doodles I read about when I am sitting in the Vet's office and wonder what in the world is going on?   It seems that we are hearing about a lot of them lately.  But then again, I think someone said, there are a lot of us on these Boards, so in ratio healthy to sick, I am guessing that it isn't bad.  

Hugs to you and Jack.  How is Jack doing?   I need to catch up on him.  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks for asking, Martha. We are struggling right now, but I'm hoping that with the addition of a new medication, we will be able to get him stabilized and be able to cut back some of the ones that have more serious side-effects. Like I said, day-by-day. :-))

Hugs back to you and Cooper.