Magical Merlin from the UK

debthethread

Forums Novice
Hi there, I have never been on a forum before - so please be patient with me!
We have a 4 month old sable and white called Merlin, we love him to bits but are having serious health issues with him, hence why I stumbled upon this site (upon many, many more - but you lot seem to know what you are talking about!) If any of you out there have had experience of a puppy with liver trouble would you please be so kind as to get in touch? By the way - my name is Debs:o
 
Deb read the article it will give you some hope.

OH My God Deb, Where did you get your little Merlin ?? Something tells me you got Merlin at a petstore? I don't know your laws in the UK . Has your vet given diet info and treatment?

http://www.njsheltiefostermoms.com/rex.html

The above site is of a sheltie with a liver problem that gets better. At the end of the above site it has another site from vets about liver shunts.
 
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Elaine, to my knowledge dogs arent generally sold in petstores over here, its certainly not common practise and I have never seen them being sold in shops, but think there is still one or two places that do.

Sorry to hear about Merlin Debs, a hello from the UK too and I cant give any advice with the liver problems but hope someone here can.
 
Welcome, Deb. I don't know about liver issues, but I do know that you'll get loads of support here!
:yes:
 
Welcome to the group Debs! Please do not hesitate to give us all little more information about Merlin. Hopefully someone on here will be able to give you some advice. I hope your little buddy is doing well today. Hugs!
 
Hi Deb

Did the liver disease come from eating contaminated products/an illness or do you think it is genetic? If the latter I would contact the breeder and check if any other their other dogs have had liver problems and find out how s/he dealt with it.

If it is an acute problem then your pup has a very good chance of full recovery - livers in mammals are amazing at regenerating. You can give your pup a special diet that puts less stress on its liver and lets it recover. I also understand there are some medications available, but it does depend on exactly what sort of liver disease it is. Your vet should be able to give you a special diet to start with (and of course advise on the medication). If not go to another vet that can.

I cannot tell you what else to expect - I have had pets in the past with chronic liver problems (ie stemming from old age) that have fully recovered once their diet was altered. A pup can be very resilient.
 
OH My God Deb, Where did you get your little Merlin ?? Something tells me you got Merlin at a petstore? I don't know your laws in the UK . Has your vet given diet info and treatment?

http://www.njsheltiefostermoms.com/rex.html

The above site is of a sheltie with a liver problem that gets better. At the end of the above site it has another site from vets about liver shunts.

Hi thanks for that - bless him! We didn't get him from a petstore but a very good breeder (who has been breeding for over 40 years) and who has been so very helpful. The vets are a bit clueless, they thought he may have a shunt but blood tests and and an ultrasound have come back clear, so without a biopsy they don't know and we don't want to put him through that just yet. I don't think it is a shunt because he revovers and is just like a normal puppy again - today he was bouncing round the fields with his ball!!:confused2: Diet we have been trying all sorts from low protein puppy food to rice pudding!!! I have a feeling he is eating something that poisons him and have now banned pigs ears and rawhide chews to see if that makes a difference. Gosh didn't I just babble there! Sorry!!:smile2:
 
Hi to all of you who replied and thanks for your input. It is so nice to talk and not feel like you are talking double dutch or watch people glaze over cause they have no idea what you are on about!!! Merlin is good today no 'episodes ' as we call them! Fingers crossed - I am starting to feel a bit of hope - touch wood!:smile2: When I can work out how to put a pic on I will:confused2:
 
Elaine, to my knowledge dogs arent generally sold in petstores over here, its certainly not common practise and I have never seen them being sold in shops, but think there is still one or two places that do.

Sorry to hear about Merlin Debs, a hello from the UK too and I cant give any advice with the liver problems but hope someone here can.

thanks for that. where are you in uk? I am down in Cornwall.
 
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