Liver issues/Addison's disease?

[Tobi Brenner]

Hi everyone...  Tomorrow Cody will be 15 weeks and I have had him for 7.  From almost day 1 we have had a variety of issues, mostly digestive, until this week.  Things like diarrhea, gassy tummy, cough, which may have been indigestion, that kind of thing.  This week he started walking as if he were drunk. There has always been an issue with his walking a bit hunchy and I have asked the question multiple times if there are any issues with his hind legs and/or back and there are not. But this week that got worse and he started walking almost sideways.  He was sort of shaking and when he was sitting he was leaning toward the left.  I have been in the vet at least once a week since having him and on Wednesday I was there for 2.5 hours having blood work and exrays done. We saw that he had an extremely gassy tummy and I gave him some gas-x and he was fine until this morning.  This morning it started again and I was back at the vet again. They tested his glucose level and it was fine.  I am taking him in again in the morning after fasting him and he will be tested for addison's and for liver dysfunction.  

Does anyone have any experience with these sort of symptoms or with Addison's disease/liver issues.  I am finding that Addison's is actually somewhat common in dogs, but not normal diagnosed as a puppy. After reading further about it, it kind of makes sense and explains many of the digestive issues.  That said if all these tests come back normal, my next step is a neurologist.  

He has eaten great today and he is peeing so his kidneys still appear to working properly.  The drunk walk hasn't been that severe since we left the vet today, but outside of eating/restroom, he has slept most of the day.  

I was a total wreck today at the vet and pretty much haven't left his little side since we left there today. I have always felt there was something off since about week 2 that I've had him and now I know I am not crazy, but am so upset because I just want him to feel better.  He is such a good dog and such a love and am just hoping for some answers soon! 

Thanks for any thoughts or input!  

Tobi and Cody

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1/6/2015

I wanted to give everyone an update on Cody's condition. He does have liver disease.  Below is a link to the more clinical name and explanation of the disease, but suffice it to say toxins have been building up in his blood causing much of the other issues I have seen. Honestly at this point I don't know what the prognosis might be. We are doing an ultrasound this week which will tell us if surgery is even an option. If it is there are no guarantees his liver will begin to function properly. If not, he can be given medication to reduce the amount of toxins in his blood. I don't really how I will go at this point. Thanks again to everyone in this group for your support. I think I am honestly in shock right now, but absolutely heartbroken. The poor little guy will just be four months old on Saturday.

This is definitely worth the read as poodles, labs and goldens can be at a higher risk for this disease. 

http://www.akcchf.org/canine-health/your-dogs-health/disease-inform...

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I'm so sad to read this. I had a rescue Cavalier when I first got married who also had liver disease so I can empathise a little but truly this makes for difficult reading. I just wish to send my heartfelt support to you and hope that there is a possibility that surgery is a possibility for Cody.

[Martha & Cooper]

Hi Tobi,    Karen asked me to reply to you.   My Cooper does indeed have Liver Disease.  He has micro shunts all over his liver.   Hepatic Microvascular Dysplasia.   They have not ruled out a hidden portal shunt as well, but we decided not to put him through more testing to find it, since he was doing well on treatment. He was about 18 months when diagnosed after having a seizure.    Cooper just turned 5 years old!   He is doing well with his treatment, which includes a liver prescription diet food, which I swore I would never use.  Sometimes, you swallow your pride and try what the vet asks.    He is on two medications.  One to help him if he has a seizure and one to help eliminate toxins.    Cooper did just have surgery for a torn CCL and we were worried about the anesthesia, but they watched him very closely and he did fine.     Please feel free to friend me and private message me.  The biggest thing I see with him is sometimes abnormal fatigue.  Most days, he is a happy, go lucky Doodle.   I wish the best for Cody and hope that with proper treatment, he will turn around as well.   Please, if you haven't already, ask for a referral to an Internist.  It is a bit more expensive, but they will plot out a course of treatment for a General Vet and then the General Vet can follow it.  

[Tobi Brenner]

Thank you Martha and Karen!!  I am actually just reading through all of your old posts now on the progression of Cooper's illness.  I am so heartbroken but have been reading up online and am learning that there are solutions and treatments.  We are having the first ultrasound tomorrow so I will know more then.  I greatly appreciate you reaching out to me and I take you up on the help and reach out to you directly after we know a little more!  

Thank you all so much!!  This site is really awesome!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Tobi, I wanted to mention that this is a genetic issue, and your breeder should be notified. Your puppy's parents should not be bred again. And hopefully, your health warranty will cover some of the costs for treating this through reimbursement from the breeder. 

Here is some good information: http://ic.upei.ca/cidd/disorder/portosystemic-shunt

[Tobi Brenner]

Hi Karen...  Thanks so much for the info.  I had googled it and found a lot of information on it.  I agree the parents should not be bred again.  She is out of town and I intend to call her this weekend with an update of his condition and I intend to send her a similar link with the entire clinical explanation.  To be honest, I haven't decided yet whether or not she might have know, but I have to give her the benefit of the doubt at this point. That said, my warrant does not specify monetary reimbursement.  It states that I have the option of giving the dog back and taking another one.  That's certainly not happening... ;)  I will say I don't have a lot of confidence that she won't breed the parents again.  I actually asked the vet if there was anything I could do to stop it or to at least prevent the sale of any future pups and according to her there is not.  

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Wow, what a lucky little guy Tobi was when he came into your life.  You are doing such a wonderful job in getting to the bottom of his issues and educating yourself as you go along.  Kudos to you.  I hope that they are able to to do the surgery and get him started on a path to better health.  Hang in there.  Sounds like you have connected with some good sources here.  Hugs to you both.

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Such difficult news, and I know you're arming yourself with information on how to deal with Cody's problem. I wish you both all the best on your journey to a positive outcome.

[Tobi Brenner]

Hi everyone...  Just an update...  Cody has a hepatic shunt that is easily accessible surgically which is good news.  He is not yet scheduled for surgery, but I expect that to be next week or the following.  After the surgery, there is 4-8 weeks of diet/meds and close monitoring while the shunt closes off and his liver begins to adjust to full blood flow.  If all that goes well, he should be a brand new puppy when all is said and done. 

We started him on meds Tuesday evening and he has responded beautifully.  You can just tell that he is so happy to feel good and the pacing he had done pretty much since day one is gone.  That alone tells me how much better he is.  He is really a different puppy then even I have seen before.  I am just so happy to have an answer and a positive prognosis.  

Please pray for a successful surgery and that all goes as planned.  I will absolutely keep the group updated once we get the surgery scheduled and how things go along the way!  

Thanks again for all the support here!!  This group is so great and there is sooo much information!  We have been through so much already in his short life, but certainly hoping for a long healthy one when this ordeal is over.  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thank you for the update, Tobi, this sounds very positive. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I am really glad to hear this which is the best possible news given the circumstances. We will be rooting for Cody to be done with this soon.

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

Thanks for the update - we are looking forward to a complete healing.

[Martha & Cooper]

Sounds like you have a plan.   Positive energy coming your and Cody's way!