It’s been a busy year so far – We took Nora in for her 6 month checkup in February, having no concerns at all. Her bloodwork showed a mild elevation in her ALT liver values, so out of an abundance of caution we took her off her low dose of Rimadyl she’d been on for a while, started her on a liver support supplement (Denamarin) and planned to check values again a month later. At home she was her normal happy self. Good appetite and no vomiting or diarrhea.
At the one month recheck we were shocked. Her ALT had quadrupled and now her other liver values were elevated as well. We decided an ultrasound and more tests were called for and got an appointment later that same week. While we were waiting for her ultrasound, she did start vomiting occasionally and having some inappétence in the mornings. We added another rx liver support medication (ursodiol) and some anti nausea/vomiting medication as well.
Ultrasound showed nothing abnormal with her liver, and non of the tests we did gave any clear answers. It was really stressful but we were beyond relieved that clinically she wasn’t showing any signs of being sick. The vomiting had stopped too.
Our vet referred us to AMC for a consult with internal medicine. The next step would be a liver biopsy.
Once we got to her AMC appointment her liver values had quadrupled again. To give an idea of exactly how high her ALT was: In February in the low 300’s, March 1200 and by the time we got to AMC it was 2400!!)
Liver biopsy went well and she recovered quickly. The biopsy results were most consistent with cholangitis, with the possibility of some immune mediated process.
She was started on antibiotics. Thankfully that has worked. After 2 months of clavamox her liver values are back in the low 300’s and we will continue to monitor closely as well as continuing the liver support supplements and meds.
Nora has stayed happy and mostly symptom free through all of this. She truly is a fighter.
George also continues to thrive – we’ve passed the year mark of his cancer diagnosis and with chemo there has been no signs of cancer coming back. It has been a lot of work, but so worth it when quality of life for both Nora and George has remained excellent.
We are blessed to have them both still with us and living their best lives.
