Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Dr. Tobin,
My 11 year old male, nutered Pharaoh Hound - call name - K.Tee has been dx with Hepatic Cirrhosis. The lab stated that It is end stage liver disease and is "not common in animals. when it does occur it is in dogs that have taken certain medications for months or years". Since April 2006 he has been on Metacam. That is the only med he has been on. I have contacted Boehringer Ingelheim the manufacturer of Metacam and they have filed a report with the FDA on this situation. I also received a letter from them regarding this and they state that they are "concerned" about my experience with the use of Metacam 1.5mg/ml Oral Suspension.

My vet has him on Hills L/D. I just read that it contains ethoxyquin and I don't want to give it to him. Can you suggest any other foods, treats and supplements for his arthritis that will be good for him/us?

Thank you for your time regarding this important matter.
Happy New Year!
Cathi Sadocha
North Carolina

Also another question but this one is in regard to Cushings. K.Tee had blood work done and his ALP was 1237. (I can provide more of the blood work numbers if you would like). My vet thought that Cushings might be involved (this was before the cirrhosis was dx (a ultra sound was done then exploritory and biopsies which lead to the Cirrhosis dx). He did a ACTH test as well but the ACTH was negative for Cushings. It has been brought to my attention that he could have A-typical Cushings. What tests do I ask my vet to do to find out if Cushings is involved? Also I would like to state that his Aunt and Uncle had Cushings.

Thanks for your help
Cathi

FYI -
I am feeding K.Tee 3-4 times a day - same daily amount just smaller portions

Additionally I am giving him
Silymarin Milk Thistle - one dropper 2x a day.
Mesosilver - 4 teasoons a day on a empty stomach
Lipinol 2X a day- Which my vet prescribed and I found out it is a diaritary supplement (I contacted the Vet FDA as I couldn't find out any information regarding this med)- do u have any insite into this supplement?
Also Darbazine #3 - when needed for diarrhea and vomiting.
Missing Link - 1 1/2 teasoons a day.
I added Samon/tilapia, steamed carrots, broc, zucchini
yogurt, cottage cheese and lastly pure pumpkin to his daily meals (No not all at once).

You need to treat the liver and you need to treat the arthritis. Milk thistle is a good start. I would also add Hepatrophin PMG and add to his diet raw beef liver. Forget about Cushings disease; the liver enzymes are elevated due to the cirrhosis. I would suggest feeding fresh raw meat, beef marrow bones, and flax seed or cod liver oil, and supplement that with Longlife Pet Supplement. I would need to know a lot more about your dog to be able to fine a homeopathic remedy for him, but this would be a good start.

Dr. Tobin,
Thank you for your response. I would be more than happy to give you any/all information that you might need. I was trying to be brief as I am sure you are very busy.

If you can just let me know what information I can provide to you in order to get K.Tee as much help as needed.

Also I thought that raw meat would be harder for the liver to digest. I can certainly add liver - should it be calfs liver?

Again, Thank You.

I will be ordering the Hepatrophin PMG from Naturamart - when I get it how much do I give him daily. He is 72 Lbs.

Also from Naturamart I would like to order Milk Thistle - which one should I get the Designs for Health Milk Thistle 140mg (how much should I give him daily) or should I order the Pure Encapsulations Silymarin (if that - again, how much do I give him)??

On the Longlife Pet Supplements - which Long Life plan would be best for K.Tee? I see there are a number of ones there.

Cathi

Use the Pure Encapsulations Silymarin, one capsule twice a day. As to the Longlife, give 2 capsules twice a day for one week, then one capsule twice a day. As to getting his full history, we will need to do this through a telephone consultation.