Liver Disease in Older Dogs

Question:

I hope you can give me some insight in holistic help for my 13 1/2 year old spayed female mini schnauzer. She has many issues such as kidney problems, diabetes, liver issues, ear infections/skin problems and pancreatitis at one time. We are not sure if she has a liver tumor, pancreas tumor or inflammatory disease. Her xray showed some abnormalities in her abdomen. She is on insulin, sub-q fluids, denamarin, 3V caps, pet tinic and alternagel.

I was wondering if there was any more that I could do to help support particularly her liver, but any other issues that she has as well. She sometimes has to take amoxicillin due to high ALT values and was on Rimidyl for about a week due to weakness in her back end, but we took her off because she had seizure like episodes and it also made her liver values go way up (from 400's to 700's). She is very spunky at times but tires easily. She still has alot of life left in her and I want to help her as much as I can. She also has a very low appetite at times and is very picky. She will not eat the right food for her issues and at times I have to force feed her. Any help that you can give me would be greatly appreciated. I have two dogs and one cat and they are my kids. Please help!!!! Thank you so much for your help!  Dawn G.

Response:

Hello Dawn,
Thank you for your inquiry to Holistic Pet Info. You are on the right tract as far as medications and supplements. Though I would increase the amount of milk thistle she is taking to augment the support of the liver. Denamarin is good but with the elevated liver enzymes, diabetes and previous pancreatitis, a more complete liver support supplement may work better. Hepagan-C by Thorne as a double dose should be a superior hepatoprotectant and detoxifier. If weakness in her back end is due to arthritis, glucosamine could decrease the pain, stiffness and inflammation. Athroplex by Thorne should not cause an increase in liver enzymes or manifest any seizure like events.

Nutrition is very important and she does not necessarily need a “prescription” diet for a specific condition. A high quality protein, no to low grain and high fiber diet may help tremendously with her organ issues. I recommend EVO by Innova, Halo or Core by Wellness in a canned formulation as a superior quality diet. These diets are generally more palatable than prescription brands, which may help with her picky appetite. I hope a few of these suggestions work out for you. Best of luck.
Sincerely,
Colleen Smith DVM, CVA