Sharon7
Moderator
I'm asking for everyone's kind thoughts for my sweet boy. During his first ultrasound scan, which I thought would just be a normal, baseline event, showed a GB that was already 75% full of sludge. He had randomly vomited once in April, then again in June two days before his check-up. We had already arranged for our vet to do the ultrasound along with his wellness visit.
Down the rabbit hole. Labwork showed a slight elevation in one liver test. Everything else normal, including cholesterol (high cholesterol is associated with this problem). Started meds: Ursodiol and Denamarin for liver support.
Off to an Internal Medicine vet, who did an extremely extensive ultrasound: liver, spleen, kidneys, GB, adrenal glands and prostate! Everything else normal.
She thought staying on the medication to see if it helped, and having him scanned monthly (!!!) would be the way to go. I told her no, we knew from several other Sheltie folks that the trajectory for this is one way, which is worse. Ann told me once the GB is 50% + full, it's time for surgery. She agreed it was more of an issue in Shelties. I did appreciate her thoroughness in examining him and discussion.
Off to the surgical vet, board certified, that my vet recommended. What a revelation. I was a hospital RN for over 21 years, and before that a vet tech. I can't believe how far Vet medicine has come. This fabulous young woman surgeon has done a good number of these surgeries, and she does them laparoscopically!!! They only "convert" to an open surgery if they run into issues. She was very confident of a good outcome. Said she rarely sees them at this early stage, usually the dog is already sick, and then the outcome is iffy. But she said it was definitely a "ticking time-bomb" and needs to come out.
Although I am still somewhat scared of course, I left that visit much relieved. I know he's in great hands. It will be August 7, with a 2 night stay in the hospital. It is a major surgery but it's the only way to make sure he has a long healthy life. My friend gave me a surgical suit for him to wear afterwards, and we will get an inflatable cone for him. 2 weeks of crate/pen rest.
I wish so much I could talk to him and prepare him for what's to come. He can be very timid and scared, so 2 nights in a strange hospital place is not up his alley. I know he'll be on pain meds and so maybe he won't be as aware or care much. It was all just so unexpected, and with Faith and Meadow's issues, I was sure hoping Eli would be very healthy for quite a while yet. He just turned 7.
Down the rabbit hole. Labwork showed a slight elevation in one liver test. Everything else normal, including cholesterol (high cholesterol is associated with this problem). Started meds: Ursodiol and Denamarin for liver support.
Off to an Internal Medicine vet, who did an extremely extensive ultrasound: liver, spleen, kidneys, GB, adrenal glands and prostate! Everything else normal.
She thought staying on the medication to see if it helped, and having him scanned monthly (!!!) would be the way to go. I told her no, we knew from several other Sheltie folks that the trajectory for this is one way, which is worse. Ann told me once the GB is 50% + full, it's time for surgery. She agreed it was more of an issue in Shelties. I did appreciate her thoroughness in examining him and discussion.
Off to the surgical vet, board certified, that my vet recommended. What a revelation. I was a hospital RN for over 21 years, and before that a vet tech. I can't believe how far Vet medicine has come. This fabulous young woman surgeon has done a good number of these surgeries, and she does them laparoscopically!!! They only "convert" to an open surgery if they run into issues. She was very confident of a good outcome. Said she rarely sees them at this early stage, usually the dog is already sick, and then the outcome is iffy. But she said it was definitely a "ticking time-bomb" and needs to come out.
Although I am still somewhat scared of course, I left that visit much relieved. I know he's in great hands. It will be August 7, with a 2 night stay in the hospital. It is a major surgery but it's the only way to make sure he has a long healthy life. My friend gave me a surgical suit for him to wear afterwards, and we will get an inflatable cone for him. 2 weeks of crate/pen rest.
I wish so much I could talk to him and prepare him for what's to come. He can be very timid and scared, so 2 nights in a strange hospital place is not up his alley. I know he'll be on pain meds and so maybe he won't be as aware or care much. It was all just so unexpected, and with Faith and Meadow's issues, I was sure hoping Eli would be very healthy for quite a while yet. He just turned 7.
