Charlee, my sweet sweet girl died 5 weeks after being diagnosed (not difinitively by vets) with liver failure or Chronic Active Hepatitis. We had no idea what this was or what caused it. We did some reading and found that Dobes especially females are pre-disposed to copper storage related CAH We tried everything, homemade food which she wouldn't eat 80% of the time which led to force feeding, drugs, vitamins, dehydrated foods, steroids, antibiotics, ursidiol....she felt better for a couple of weeks in the middle of this time, but then then declined and was rushed to emergency room after she started pooping large amounts of mostly blood....it horrific. I miss her terribly and am devastated as she was so young, happy and strong 2 months ago....Tawni
My 3.5 y/o female died Wednesday of liver failure. Anyone else have experience?
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I am currently experiencing it with my 9 year old, Zeke. The fortunate thing is that we caught it early with routine bloodwork (although he did have one episode where he was sick with it prior, and we basically knew to be on the lookout). Zeke has copper associated hepatopathy, and is on a hepatic support kibble, ursodiol, zinc to block the copper, and either Denamarin or straight SamE/milk thistle (I rotate them), vitamin E, etc.
It's hard making sure they get the meds at the right times, and I find that the ursodiol, I think, doesn't make him feel great unless it's the zinc - I'm really not sure which. Sometimes he feels pukey after he eats. We had one of those episodes this morning. We go back to bed after breakfast and he kept jumping up wanting out but didn't really seem to know why. After letting him out twice, I finally just kind of massaged his tummy until he went back to sleep. He doesn't really like the hepatic diet but eats it readily if I mix in a little canned food. He was really into Honest Kitchen Zeal for a while but went off of it.
I'm sorry for your loss. I know it's a hard disease to deal with, and expensive, too.
It's hard making sure they get the meds at the right times, and I find that the ursodiol, I think, doesn't make him feel great unless it's the zinc - I'm really not sure which. Sometimes he feels pukey after he eats. We had one of those episodes this morning. We go back to bed after breakfast and he kept jumping up wanting out but didn't really seem to know why. After letting him out twice, I finally just kind of massaged his tummy until he went back to sleep. He doesn't really like the hepatic diet but eats it readily if I mix in a little canned food. He was really into Honest Kitchen Zeal for a while but went off of it.
I'm sorry for your loss. I know it's a hard disease to deal with, and expensive, too.
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I lost a male to liver disease in 2008. We had two good years with him after we knew there was a problem, due to finding it early through routine bloodwork. He lasted less than 30 days after he started showing symptoms.
Less than 2 months after he died, my 3 year old bitch was diagnosed as being in the early stages of CAH. Again, it was found very early due to bloodwork. Three years later, she's still completely symptom free, thanks to that early diagnosis and treatment.
Sadly, by the time a dog with liver disease shows outward symptoms, a significant part of the liver (70% or more) has already been destroyed. It's really critical to do bloodwork that includes liver function on an annual basis.
I'm so sorry to hear about Charlee. The end stage of liver disease is pretty awful. I do know after seeing what my boy went through at the end, I won't wait so long to let my girlie go when she goes into liver failure.
Thank you everyone...i am beside myself with sadness and mad at myself for not knowing that this was somewhat preventable. I still remember the day she walked away from her food dish and my heart fell into my stomach as i knew that was not good. 5 weeks later, my worst fear is reality...i miss her. She was so young...
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So sorry I know how hard it is to lose them especially young ones
So terribly sorry for the loss of your young beautiful girl. I lost my Isis at 6 from cancer. I now have two rescued Dobes- 2 years and 5 months....As much as I love them, I watch them and feel an inner terror at the thought of losing one or both of them to the myriad of conditions that can take our Dobies from us.
I will pray for your strength as you grieve this horrible loss.
LOve, Margie, Max, Hope and Angel Isis
I will pray for your strength as you grieve this horrible loss.
LOve, Margie, Max, Hope and Angel Isis
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Sad!
Awe, I'm sorry! I am getting my new puppy in two months or so, so it is nice to know with death also comes life. I am sorry, RIP Charlee!!! She died loving her mommy!
Awe, I'm sorry! I am getting my new puppy in two months or so, so it is nice to know with death also comes life. I am sorry, RIP Charlee!!! She died loving her mommy!
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My sincere and deep condolences...she was was way too young.
I lost my boy a week ago after a year long battle with CAH. Somehow he managed to hold on through that bloody 'water cannon' stage and recover enough to live another very fullfilling and relatively comfortable 7-10 months (times and dates are a bit of a blur to me). In the last week or so of his life it seems he also developed lymphoma.
One positive to be grateful for is that it was swift and you did all you could. As Maryand dobes said, CAH is both expensive in $ and expensive in time and emotion to battle. it took everything out of me and then some. Zillah's battle threads are here on the board if you ever feel like reading them but it's understandable if you don't as he went through much the same your girl did. They are both resting at peace now and running free in another dimension...and I can only be grateful that I was so blessed to have him in my life for the time I did.
My thoughts are with you. CAH is a most horrible, horrible experience.
I lost my boy a week ago after a year long battle with CAH. Somehow he managed to hold on through that bloody 'water cannon' stage and recover enough to live another very fullfilling and relatively comfortable 7-10 months (times and dates are a bit of a blur to me). In the last week or so of his life it seems he also developed lymphoma.
One positive to be grateful for is that it was swift and you did all you could. As Maryand dobes said, CAH is both expensive in $ and expensive in time and emotion to battle. it took everything out of me and then some. Zillah's battle threads are here on the board if you ever feel like reading them but it's understandable if you don't as he went through much the same your girl did. They are both resting at peace now and running free in another dimension...and I can only be grateful that I was so blessed to have him in my life for the time I did.
My thoughts are with you. CAH is a most horrible, horrible experience.
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I'm so sorry about Charlee, I can't say enough how much you and Susan are in my thoughts. I don't know anything about liver disease but I know how you feel since Rogan passed so young and unexpectedly earlier this year. It may help (when you are up to it) to start a tribute thread about her in the Rainbow Bridge section.
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So so sorry for your loss.
I lost Loki a year ago, and had my doberteen in the hospital this week from ingesting something bad.
I relived the panic, and I really understand how you are feeling.
Please don't beat yourself up. We do our best and aren't always able to be the great all knowing rescuer, try as we might.
You gave her great love and a good home.
I lost Loki a year ago, and had my doberteen in the hospital this week from ingesting something bad.
I relived the panic, and I really understand how you are feeling.
Please don't beat yourself up. We do our best and aren't always able to be the great all knowing rescuer, try as we might.
You gave her great love and a good home.
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I am soo soo very sorry for your loss. I just lost my girl of my dreams @ 3.5 yrs old to DCM. I did not know of this disease -- as you did know of the disease your baby was suffering thru. It is heart wrenching to go thru. My girl went into CHF on aug 2nd and that is the day my insides died too. Even tho she lived 56 days from then. We spent everyday attached at the hip just as we lived before that day. I miss her more than words can express but I know that she helped pave the way for another dobie girl in my life. I am convinced and thank my girl every day for teaching me so much. I love her more now than ever. I will give another dobe a life with me as I know it will be special too. Please love your baby dobe and keep every moment special.
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