Gallbladder/liver issues

[ChanningsMom]

My 10 yr old basenji has high liver levels, my vet has determined that is most likely due to sludge in the gallbladder. I was curious if anyone has dealt with a similar health issue with their B before? If so, any information and advice would be greatly appreciated! (My vet and I have come up with a treatment plan)

[tanza]

Did the Vet do an ultrasound on the Gallbladder and other organs, especially the Liver? In all my years in the breed this is not an issue that I have seen or heard about. (Sludge in the Gallbladder)

[Zande]

@tanza I have never heard of it in all my years in Basenjis either - not until, that is, I personally had an ultrasound during a bout of pancreatitis that found I had sludge in my gall-bladder - which was rapidly removed !

So humans - yes, from personal experience. Basenjis - no, never !

[tanza]

@zande - If remember right, typical for humans to have "sludge" in their Gallbladder.....LOL.... again, not Basenjis that I know of.

[Alibobo]

@channingsmom sorry, probably not very helpful - but my 8 year old GSD encountered this problem before. I was told the exact same thing by my vet after an ultrasound was done. I think it's a lot more common in GSDs, but I was advised to feed smaller meals more frequently, drastically cut down on any fatty foods, and feed a spoonful of natural yoghurt twice per day. The advice helped a good bit but the vet said the only way to properly remove all the sludge was via surgery which wasn't really necessary as it wasn't life-threatening. Just the joys of senior years! Hope your basenji feels better soon

[Zande]

@alibobo the advice you were given seems to be very sound but each case is different. Older Basenjis can always benefit from smaller meals, more frequently.

[tanza]

@alibobo Thanks for you information but this is not for a Basenjis?... and for different breeds, depends on the dog and their breeding and the breed... so not all dogs have the same ...but it is good to hear.

[elbrant]

@channingsmom said in Gallbladder/liver issues:

My 10 yr old basenji has high liver levels, my vet has determined that is most likely due to sludge in the gallbladder

This would be (almost certainly) due to the dog's diet, wouldn't it? Did the Vet suggest any changes in that?

[tanza]

@elbrant - There are many issues (medical) not related to diet, you can search the internet to see them. Could be one of many and the high liver values and IMO an ultrasound is needed to check the organs... could be issues with other organs that are affecting the Liver. Yes could be diet, but until you rule out other issues you can't just guess....

[Zande]

@tanza said in Gallbladder/liver issues:

until you rule out other issues you can't just guess....

Absolutely. First port of call is the Vet's office. This time and always.

[tanza]

@elbrant - And also @ChanningsMom did say in her original post the following: "My vet and I have come up with a treatment plan" but not the details.

[elbrant]

@tanza Knowing the treatment would certainly help.

[tanza]

@elbrant - Maybe but in my opinion this is between the owner and the Vet unless she would like to share. None of us are Vets here, we can only and should only give advise on possible tests that might further clarify the issue. Not to give "treatment" suggestions.... again, as a breeder/owner of this breed for over 30+ years. If you have a dog with these values, of course you can indicate the reasons for the Liver values to be high and what you have found to be the cause.... I had one girl that had high liver values that further tests showed a tumor on her Liver that required surgery... but again that was after further testing to rule out other causes. And if she is still concerned she might want to get a second opinion.... from another Vet... not from this Forum.

[Zande]

@elbrant I don't think it would help us - We are not Vets !

[JENGOSMonkey]

@zande No, but my Basenji Logan is a doctor. :beaming_face_with_smiling_eyes: :thumbs_up:

[tanza]

@jengosmonkey - LOL JengosMonkey.

[Kembe]

@jengosmonkey
Can always count on you to give us a laugh! 🤣

[Zande]

@jengosmonkey But Greg, doctors licensed to practice medicine on humans are not qualified to work on animals. I am not sure how the law stands if the doctor himself is a dog ?

Can we take it that Logan effected a permanent cure ?

[ChanningsMom]

@tanza Yes we have done ultrasounds. All of his organs look great, including the liver, with the exception of a lot of gallbladder sludge.

[ChanningsMom]

@alibobo Thank you for sharing your experience. I have changed his diet to be very low fat, and make him food (chicken breast, lots of veggies) to go along with the HSD liver care food (this food has helped a little, & the vet recommended continuing it) I will give the more frequent meals a try!