No one seems to know what’s wrong

[Bluebellsanddolfynns]

My Labrador went off his food a few weeks ago. Had been sleeping a lot when home and a little reluctant to go in the garden, which had been unlike him. He’s still always remained keen to go on walkies and has been running and chasing and exploring which he loves to do. A few days ago we noticed his stomach was very bloated and hard so took him to the vets who found that there was a lot of fluid in his stomach and referred him to a specialist vet where I then drove him to and dropped him off. The specialists have done an ultrasound scan of his liver and several other tests. Everything is pointing to something wrong with his liver but they didn’t know what or why. A further liver biopsy may give them more clues but it’s very risky, invasive and not guaranteed to explain what’s wrong. It’s also very expensive and we have reached his insurance limit already. Has anyone encountered these symptoms before with their own dog? He’s not yet 3 years old so very young! I’m absolutely devastated as it’s most likely I will pick him up tomorrow and not go through with the biopsy for the reasons stated above. It’s so strange that they can not find the reason for this.

The difficulty is without additional tests they can’t give you a reason for the liver damage - could be cancer, infection, a metabolic disorder or inflammation.

they can tell you the liver is damaged, but not why without more information.
that’s not particularly strange.

have they not given you any possibilities/discussed likely causes?

They’ve given me their medical findings but none of it really points to the cause, although they’ve mentioned cancer, infection etc as you mention above. Really my issue now is what I do now, spend thousands when after a liver biopsy we may not be any the wiser or bring him home and give him a comfortable last few weeks / days? They have mentioned that either way, he will not live beyond another “few” years and will certainly not become and old dog. And possibly be he’ll only have a few months, even when they do find the cause. It’s such a difficult decision to make. I think I know which way I’ll go but I’m interested in what other people may do in the situation.

He’s 3 yrs old , I’d be having the biopsy or an MRI/ CT scan to find out what’s going on . We’ve spent thousands this year having investigations on our ill dog , some of them which told us absolutely nothing and he’s almost 13 .

I don’t think there’s a right answer to this and no one here can advise you without knowing the case and having veterinary expertise.

the best person to speak to is your vet. Give them a ring to discuss options.

multiple tests won’t necessarily give you and answer and won’t necessarily give you a treatment either so it may all be money down the drain. No one here can say.

How awful! Thinking of you and your lovely dog. I hope the vets can find out what's wrong and treat it.