QUESTION

My dog Jorge collapsed 6 weeks ago. I took him to the animal hospital in Glasgow and he had his bloods tested and they showed his liver count was "off the scale". He was put on a drip for 4 days and allowed home. He seems quite happy, though he did take to soiling his bed and the house for about a week, but that has now stopped. He was put on hepatosyl and had his bloods tested again last week, but they were still off the scale. He had been given PLT for 7 years as he has arthritis in his back legs. He is not being given anything for his arthritis now and is getting quite slow, but is coping. The vet wants to test the bloods again in 4 weeks. The vets in my local practice seem to think that Jorge is lucky to be alive and I can only agree with that. They say that he is happy and not suffering, which I also agree with, but no-one will give advice on what the future holds for Jorge. I am worried sick about him and would really like some idea of what to expect. Can you ! Please give me some advice on what the prognosis is for an old dog with liver disease?

Robert

ANSWER

Dear Robert,
The prognisis in this case has to be extremely guarded. I would be very concerned that if he had needed pain relief for seven years and now is receiving none that he must be in pain. The liver problem is unlikely to respond to treatment if you have seen no improvement despite intensive treatment. I feel you really need to think about Jorges quality of life. If you continue you may either get vomiting chronic, diarrhoea, inappetence, jaundice, or ascites. You may also get an acute collapse.

James Haddow