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  1. #1
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    Unhappy Failing liver function due to Pheno - Duke 10 yr old Golden/Shepherd mix

    Hello All. Our dog Duke, a golden retriever/shepherd mix, has been on phenobarbital for years due to seizures. We were slowly starting to wean him off the last 6-8 months by decreasing his dose. We had his levels checked every year and last checkup they were still good. However, the last couple weeks he started throwing up bile and started not to eat his food. We took him to vet on Monday 10/30, and they took his blood work. Tuesday they called and said his liver function is very bad and they could try hospitalizing him for several days but it would probably only be a 50/50 shot of recuperating. He's a little over 10 years old. We can't really afford any high vet bills right now due to our financial situation.

    This morning he wouldn't eat anything at all except for a few small pieces of cheese and he is drinking quite a bit and also quite lethargic compared to his normal self. We currently have an appt for tomorrow after (11/2) to put Duke down. We do not want to do this. If there were any holistic alternatives, I would consider them but I don't really know what could help him. Read a little about milk thistle. Any suggestions? Maybe he's too far along at this point.

  2. #2
    Senior Dog
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    I have no idea if something like milk thistle would do enough good...it takes time to work. I'm not optimistic. [We've used Denamarin in the past successfully for a much lesser problem and are currently using it for a problem...different dog, same level of issue...that doesn't seem to be responding. The first time, it took 3 months to see results...this time, the dog got worse in 3 months and now a scan is being scheduled...but also a much lesser problem than what you're facing.]

    You're the only person who knows just how compromised his quality of life is at this point...but it honestly doesn't sound good. I "make the decision" based on pain/fear/giving up.

    I'm sorry you're facing this now...sending you all good thoughts for strength for yourself and comfort for Duke. Duke knows you'll make the right decision for him.

    (welcome to the board...wish you were here for a more positive reason)

  3. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to SunDance For This Useful Post:

    Daisy and Miia (11-01-2017), eradline75 (11-01-2017)

  4. #3
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    Thank you. I guess my wife and I are just both in a little bit of shock at how quickly he went downhill. I wish we had recognized signs much earlier or that someone could have suggested to us a supplement like Denamarin or something else that may have helped earlier on. Thank you for the info and kind words.

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    Daisy and Miia (11-01-2017)

  6. #4
    Senior Dog Black Labbies's Avatar
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    Hi.
    I just read your post and want to share my 6 year old's story. Ursa also has epilepsy, she's on Keppra - a mainstream med with less side-effects than Pheno, and she's on a homeopathic called Bufo Rana, which we give at bedtime to calm her brain so that she, and we, can sleep. The latter is our favorite and works great!

    As for Duke's liver, look into Hepato Support and Hepatosyl-LQ (has milk thistle in it), these help to cleanse and strengthen the liver. My 12 year old is on both and her liver enzymes are all within the normal ranges again.

    My info might be too late for Duke, but I still wish you all the best with him.

  7. The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to Black Labbies For This Useful Post:

    Daisy and Miia (11-01-2017), eradline75 (11-01-2017), SunDance (11-01-2017), windycanyon (11-02-2017)

  8. #5
    Senior Dog Sue-Ram's Avatar
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    We had a member (bett) save her dog with TCM from Pawhealer.

    See reply from her in this thread. She hasn't been on the board lately.
    Any experience with Chinese Herbs?
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    Ram - Adopted @ 6 y/o - 7/18/2011 - 7/4/2019
    CGN - 6/10/2013


  9. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Sue-Ram For This Useful Post:

    Daisy and Miia (11-01-2017), eradline75 (11-01-2017), SunDance (11-01-2017)

  10. #6
    Senior Dog Berna's Avatar
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    I am so sorry. Could it be some other type of poisoning? Are the vets sure it's linked to the medication? I'd be skeptical if the medication he has been taking for years with no issues have caused such havoc all of a sudden.
    Cookie Black Snowflake
    July 12th, 2006. - May 25th, 2023.

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  12. #7
    Chief Pooper Scooper JenC's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Black Labbies View Post
    Hi.
    I just read your post and want to share my 6 year old's story. Ursa also has epilepsy, she's on Keppra - a mainstream med with less side-effects than Pheno, and she's on a homeopathic called Bufo Rana, which we give at bedtime to calm her brain so that she, and we, can sleep. The latter is our favorite and works great!

    As for Duke's liver, look into Hepato Support and Hepatosyl-LQ (has milk thistle in it), these help to cleanse and strengthen the liver. My 12 year old is on both and her liver enzymes are all within the normal ranges again.

    My info might be too late for Duke, but I still wish you all the best with him.
    Not to hijack, but I would be interested in some info about the Bufo Rana. Especially with Wrigley's horrible epilepsy (she's on Pheno, Keppra and now zoniamide). I see I can buy it online, is it safe enough to try without seeking the help of a holistic vet? have you ever tried Melatonin?

  13. #8
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    I will check with the vet again. I was wondering if he possibly ate something in the yard that may have brought this on. Not sure. Thank you for the suggestion.

  14. #9
    Senior Dog Black Labbies's Avatar
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    Yes, tired Melatonin with no success. Bufo and all homeopathies are safe to take and don't interfere with traditional meds. Take a look at this website and find the right "fit" for Wrigley. The right "fit" is important. We had tired 2 other homeopathies prior to Bufo with good success, but not great success like Bufo. Ursa is so cute, when she's in her crate at bedtime, she waits for her Bufo dosage before going to sleep, and then I pet her head, tell her she's a good girl, and she gives a little "thank you" grunt.
    Study Shows Homeopathy Treats Epilepsy And Seizures In Dogs - Dogs Naturally Magazine

  15. #10
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    Hello. Thank you so much for the info. I appreciate it. He won't take any food today at all so I'm not sure if we could get him to take a capsule or not. Right now, I'm not sure if much will help except for IV fluids/meds. We're just in rough shape financially and not sure if we can spend upwards of a $1000. Feeling very confused.

 



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