Chronic hepatitis

[lj_thorne]

So unfortunately Barnaby has recently been diagnosed with chronic hepatitis and I was just wondering if anyone had any experience in this with their minis.

One day Barnaby was fine and the next he wasn’t, I had noticed he had lost weight but I thought it was in correlation with me changing their food to a lower fat one. I had given him a deadline for putting on weight when he began to get neurological symptoms and I just knew he wasn’t right.

He was in the vets for three days, scans and biopsy’s done and now we are where we are at! His liver enzymes have come right down and he’s one supportive drugs to help his liver and he’s having a wonderful time being cooked fish and sweet potato!

I haven’t asked the prognosis as I know it’s not great and that basically his liver will continue to effectively scar, but he’s happy and waggy and we are in a better place than we were in a few weeks ago

[Oscar 12345]

Lisa, so sorry to hear about little Barnaby's problems. I hope through management of the condition he continues to live a long and happy life. I know a schnauzer owner who's little girl was diagnosed with the same thing. After change of diet, losing some weight and cutting out all fatty treats she is doing really well. Her owner says she didn't realise how bad she was until she started to get better. Her condition is stable and she is a very happy little dog. Trying to find a positive for you at least your other little ones might benefit from having learning about the benefits of a lower fat diet. I do feel for you...

Do you mind me asking what you had been feeding him before you changed his diet and what if any treats he had.

[lj_thorne]

Thank you, funnily enough Barnaby has always been a possible grumbling pancreatitis lad so I have always been very strict with his treats, he was actually looking the best he ever had. He was prone to awful bouts of colitis as well. I changed him onto Millie’s wolfheart low fat kibble in December which was 8% and treat wise all he ever got was tiny fish treats or carrot! Poor boy doesn’t know any better.

I believe because Barnaby already has scarring on his liver his has progressed quite a bit but it’s great to hear of a dog that’s being managed well and doing ok, we are certainly hoping we can keep him stable and manage this.

He’s now having fish and sweet potato mixed with natures menu vegetable nuggets and we’ve managed to get a kg back on him so he’s where he should be as he had lost quite a bit over the last couple of months.

[zeta1454]

So sorry to hear about Barnaby but good to know that he is still enjoying life

I have no experience with coping with a dog suffering hepatitis but wondered whether Milk Thistle may be helpful? Dorwest Herbs produce a supplement of this for dogs and are very helpful if you wanted to speak to them about this:

https://www.dorwest.com/product/milk-th ... -and-cats/

https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/m ... -your-dog/

[lj_thorne]

So sorry to hear about Barnaby but good to know that he is still enjoying life

I have no experience with coping with a dog suffering hepatitis but wondered whether Milk Thistle may be helpful? Dorwest Herbs produce a supplement of this for dogs and are very helpful if you wanted to speak to them about this:

https://www.dorwest.com/product/milk-th ... -and-cats/

https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/m ... -your-dog/

Thank you, I think my three should wear a tabard saying sponsored by dorwest we use so much stuff !!!

Barnaby is on Denamarin which has an extract of milk thistle in it but I checked with my vet and she said there’s no harm in popping him on milk thistle as well as an added extra.

[Dawnspell]

So sorry to hear Barnaby's not well. No helpful information other than maybe checking out the http://www.dogaware.com/ website, had loads of info when Barney had his kidney trouble.

Sending loads of hugs and licks XX

[carolinh]

Hello,
Daisy has had unspecified liver problems probably for some time, had lost weight and was throwing up a lot.
Vet wanted her on half a tablet of Denamarin twice a day...but As I discovered tablets are unpalatable when cut...so Daisy wouldn't take them.....I ended up using Milk Thistle from Dorwest. She takes it fine, and has stabilised fine. Her weight is up to normal and her liver readings were only 4 times the normal level last time...which is a significant improvement....
So yes, I like milk thistle!. Good luck.
Caroline

[lj_thorne]

Barnaby is a bit up and down and had another day in the vets last Monday for fluids and to test his bile acid.

Good news is his liver levels have come right down, his bile acid test showed the functioning liver he has is working ok. So overall great news, he’s lost weight but I think I just need to get his intake right as I had been cooking him fish and sweet potato and vegetable nuggets. He’s now having food form butternut box (i have told him he needs to earn some pocket money towards his food!!!)

Fluids def perk him up so he’s doing better again and the great thing is if he goes downhill we still have some drugs to add in so hopefully we can keep him going for a while yet

[Schnauzer Sam]

Great news - I'm sure there's great relief in your home. That's one great beard he has too

[jacdales]

Sorry to hear about Barnaby. I use Bella & Duke dog food for team schnauzer and the wild bunch Elle has allergy to everything issues and this one works best although Benyfit now do a venison version which is a protein she tolerates. I use a lintbells digestive aid as well but only once a week.
I hope he keeps on improving he is such a handsome chap
hugs Jac

[lj_thorne]

Great news - I'm sure there's great relief in your home. That's one greeat beard he has too

Thank you, yes we are just happy if he’s happy!

[lj_thorne]

Sorry to hear about Barnaby. I use Bella & Duke dog food for team schnauzer and the wild bunch Elle has allergy to everything issues and this one works best although Benyfit now do a venison version which is a protein she tolerates. I use a lintbells digestive aid as well but only once a week.
I hope he keeps on improving he is such a handsome chap
hugs Jac

Thanks Jac, just had a quick look at the food but unfortunately Barnaby can’t have raw with his liver issues which is why I am a bit limited to the butternut box lot as it’s all cooked, I swear he’s eating better than me

[Oscar 12345]

Lisa, great news what a relief that must be. Keep it up Barnaby!