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If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Trigger Warning My wee dog is very ill

7 replies

EmbraWumman · 26/06/2022 15:40

Hi, I took my dog to the vet yesterday thinking she was quiet/off her food but it was probably no biggie and maybe the heat.

Sadly they did bloods and an ultrasound and she has liver failure which may have been asymptomatic for some time. As it was out of hours they couldn't biopsy but I am not sure there would be much value in that anyway. Her liver is a very small, LFTs high and bilirubin 'off the scale' and they struggled to find her gall bladder on the scan. No idea of cause.
She now has yellow eyes/gums/tongue/skin. I have meds etc but she won't eat anything. Adult DD and I have had some success with crushing them with broth and a 5ml syringe. Has anyone any suggestions about how to get them into her? She was too distressed to be left at emergency vet on an IV drip and, besides, we don't want her last days of life to be away from us. She is drinking water and peeing every couple of hours although she's very tired, a bit shaky on her feet and seems cognitively impaired.
Also, if anyone has any hopeful stories of their dog making a miraculous recovery, please tell me? She was literally fine on Thursday and this started on Friday night, overnight.
We are devastated, she's a fantastic, and we always thought super healthy and super shiny, black lab (and only 9yo) and my daughters and I absolutely adore her and can't imagine life without her.

OP posts:
Original poster
EmbraWumman · 26/06/2022 16:37

Bumping for traffic/advice please

OP posts:
Ivedonethisthreetimealready · 26/06/2022 17:16

You poor things.

Do get back to the vet - even if out of hours for advice. Give them a phone call.They may be able to help or give injections instead of oral medication to help make your dog more comfy.

coffeecupsandfairylights · 26/06/2022 17:32

Oh, I'm so sorry :(

I really hate to say it (and I'm sure you know already), but there is no treatment for liver failure - it's mostly a case of painkillers and palliative care to keep them comfortable.

If she's not taking her medication or eating then it may be best to ring the vet again and see if they can medicate her daily there, and then you bring her home in between if that's viable in terms of time and money?

Of course, you have to balance the stress of the vets etc. with her quality of life as well - it's such a hard balance. I have friends going through similar with their own dog - though I don't think she's quite as advanced as your girl.

She's on a modified diet and has had steroid injections which stimulated her appetite and seems to have brought her energy levels up again.

Big hugs to you x

FlipFlops4Me · 26/06/2022 17:37

I am so sorry. It sounds to me as if your poor girl is coming to the end of your journey together. Phone the vet and ask if they whatever meds she's been prescribed in a syrup format and then you can use a syringe to just squirt it into her mouth. That helped a lot when our girl was needing meds but wouldn't take pills.

I hope there's a miracle for you - there wasn't for us, but you never know and if the vet can help with meds in a format she can take it might make a huge difference to her quality of life.

Original poster
EmbraWumman · 26/06/2022 20:03

Thanks folks, called the emergency vet and they gave good advice and were reassuring. I have managed to give the rest of the day/evening meds. I hope for a peaceful night and will call mu own vet in the morning.

OP posts:
Original poster
EmbraWumman · 26/06/2022 20:04

FlipFlops4Me · 26/06/2022 17:37

I am so sorry. It sounds to me as if your poor girl is coming to the end of your journey together. Phone the vet and ask if they whatever meds she's been prescribed in a syrup format and then you can use a syringe to just squirt it into her mouth. That helped a lot when our girl was needing meds but wouldn't take pills.

I hope there's a miracle for you - there wasn't for us, but you never know and if the vet can help with meds in a format she can take it might make a huge difference to her quality of life.

I am sorry for your loss xx

OP posts:
Original poster
EmbraWumman · 26/06/2022 20:05

coffeecupsandfairylights · 26/06/2022 17:32

Oh, I'm so sorry :(

I really hate to say it (and I'm sure you know already), but there is no treatment for liver failure - it's mostly a case of painkillers and palliative care to keep them comfortable.

If she's not taking her medication or eating then it may be best to ring the vet again and see if they can medicate her daily there, and then you bring her home in between if that's viable in terms of time and money?

Of course, you have to balance the stress of the vets etc. with her quality of life as well - it's such a hard balance. I have friends going through similar with their own dog - though I don't think she's quite as advanced as your girl.

She's on a modified diet and has had steroid injections which stimulated her appetite and seems to have brought her energy levels up again.

Big hugs to you x

I dearly hope that something can be done but we are resigned to the fact that would be a miracle xx

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