Hi,

[kath]

My almost 15 year old basenji, Pete, seems to be doing okay but when I took him for blood work after being on a low protein diet and metronidazole and SAM-E for 6 months, his liver enzymes were worse than before. He isn't having the symptoms he had in January (diarrhea) and he appears to be very well. His coat is shiny, eyes not jaundiced, he has gained a pound, and he walks with me and my other basenji, Lily, 2-3.5 miles every day. My vet now wants him to have an ultrasound and biopsy for diagnosis, but because of his age and apparent appearance of doing okay, I am hesitant. Additionally, he has been hypothyroid for most of his life and takes medication for that condition.

Any thoughts? I want to be compassionate to my old friend, but I also don't want to ignore something that could be corrected easily.

Kath

[tanza]

@kath:

My almost 15 year old basenji, Pete, seems to be doing okay but when I took him for blood work after being on a low protein diet and metronidazole and SAM-E for 6 months, his liver enzymes were worse than before. He isn't having the symptoms he had in January (diarrhea) and he appears to be very well. His coat is shiny, eyes not jaundiced, he has gained a pound, and he walks with me and my other basenji, Lily, 2-3.5 miles every day. My vet now wants him to have an ultrasound and biopsy for diagnosis, but because of his age and apparent appearance of doing okay, I am hesitant. Additionally, he has been hypothyroid for most of his life and takes medication for that condition.

Any thoughts? I want to be compassionate to my old friend, but I also don't want to ignore something that could be corrected easily.

Kath

Ultrasound is not invasive as procedures go, not sure that I would opt for a biopsy at his age, unless they for sure found a tumor. Then on the other hand, he is reaching the top end of a normal Basenji life span…. and depending on what they found, would you really put alot into long treatments (saying that there was cancer, etc)... that would only extend his life for a few months, it that?
In my opinion, I might go for the ultrasound just to see what might be going on, but if nothing really found and he is happy and doing OK... I am not sure that I would go much further.

[kath]

Thanks for replying. I would not opt for surgery or chemo at his age. Medications would be a different story. I agree, the ultrasound and consult with a specialist, although expensive, might help. But even that will stress him.

K

[tanza]

@kath:

Thanks for replying. I would not opt for surgery or chemo at his age. Medications would be a different story. I agree, the ultrasound and consult with a specialist, although expensive, might help. But even that will stress him.

K

Again, there are lots of things to consider… if it really stresses him out even for the ultrasound and he is feeling OK... I am not sure I would put them through that stress... If they found something like a tumor, I doubt that there would be medication that would help.. and since he is already SAM-e which is usually good for liver functions, you might be better off just continuing with that. Have you tried Dr. Dodd's liver diet? Many have had good results with that.

http://www.canine-epilepsy.com/Liver%20cleansing%20diet.htm

[kath]

Well, Pete had an ultrasound today and it showed he has a diseased liver…the vet doesn't think it is cancer but can't be sure what actually is going on. His liver appeared to have a coarse texture instead of being smooth like it should be. No large mass or tumor visible. She wanted me to go ahead with lots of other tests but I didn't today, just a urinalysis. I opted to add actigall and milk thistle, medications she suggested as well as continuing the SAM-E and a low protein diet. She wants him to try a special prescription diet called L/D, which is especially for liver issues. I didn't go for the biopsy or other x-rays today. I am going to try the things mentioned above, proceed cautiously, and perhaps get blood work again in a few months.

I haven't tried the exact Dr. Dodd's diet because Pete doesn't like fish or potato, unless the potato has lots of butter on it. He has been on a rice and chicken diet, and I have given him a child's liquid vitamin.

Thanks for any thoughts.

[agilebasenji]

@kath:

I haven't tried the exact Dr. Dodd's diet because Pete doesn't like fish or potato, unless the potato has lots of butter on it.

Thanks for any thoughts.

well, can't really blame him for that - i like my potatoes with lots of butter on it too! hopefully he's on the upswing. have you tried a holistic vet?

[thunderbird8588]

Thanks for the update, i think you are doing the right thing, seeing how things go with diet and medication.
We had an elderly Basenji with liver problems and the vets never got to the bottom of it, he had a scan and i think a biopsy but all they could tell us was that something was destroying his liver.
We managed the condition and he had a few more happy years with us.
Good luck with Pete and keep us posted.

[MacPack]

You are making all your decisions based on Pete and what seems best for him, so you can't go wrong! There really isn't a lot to be done for many liver diseases other than medications and diet, and you are already doing that. The prescription diet might be worth a try.
The vet might let you be present for the ultrasound, if it will make Pete less stressed, we did that for one of ours years ago. We petted him and talked to him and he relaxed and let them roll the sensor over his bely.

I am more interested in the liver treatments, yesterday at the vet Eddie's liver enzymes were a little high, not much, but enough for me to start to look at diet and milk thistle treatments.

Hoping Pete will continue to feel good and act normal!

[Isis]

I have seen versions that substituted chicken or turkey for fish.

[kath]

Pete seems to be doing okay, but he doesn't like the prescription L/D diet. I am just going to proceed with the SAM-E, milk thistle, and flagyl as well as the actigall for a month and see how he does. I'll keep him on his fairly low protein diet but let him have a chicken strip treat, too, as he loves them. When I'm old I want to enjoy the time left, not just try to stay around as long as possible. Quality not quantity.

Thanks to all for your thoughts!

Kath

[tanza]

@kath:

Pete seems to be doing okay, but he doesn't like the prescription L/D diet. I am just going to proceed with the SAM-E, milk thistle, and flagyl as well as the actigall for a month and see how he does. I'll keep him on his fairly low protein diet but let him have a chicken strip treat, too, as he loves them. When I'm old I want to enjoy the time left, not just try to stay around as long as possible. Quality not quantity.

Thanks to all for your thoughts!

Kath

I agree…. with our old kids.... quality is what counts!

[MacPack]

What is the dosage for SAM-E and Milk thistle for a basenji? Eddie is slightly elevated so thought I would try those and a month of liver cleansing diet, just haven't started yet, unsure how much to give.
Thanks, in advance.

[kath]

I give Pete one 220 mg SAM-E daily that I buy on sale at Walgreens. it is close to the dose my doctor could prescribe but the vet prescription is costly. She said this would be fine. Pete seems to have GI upsets with milk thistle so I am not giving him that. He is now taking Actigal which has to be mixed at a formulary type pharmacy for him. It costs about $35 per month and he has only been on it for one month. I notice no change….but he isn't worse. He seems to be going into kidney failure, too, as he drinks lots of water and pees a lot more, too, but not inside the house except for one or two accidents when confined for a long time. He can still go overnight without going out....so I guess he is just getting older....

I have him on a low protein diet. I give him rice and chicken and potatoes. He doesn't like any of the prepared low protein food you can buy.

Hope this helps a little.

[MacPack]

Thanks, I will pickup some SAM-E at the store today, I had no idea what dose! I hope Pete has a comfortable time with you, you are doing everything to keep him happy.

My friend's mastif-dobie mix has very high liver enzymes, she is 10 and otherwise looks great. She is slowing down, sleeps a lot but has good appetite, etc., he opted for no more tests (at her age, he would not put her through any treatments other than meds). She loved the liver-cleansing diet, is back on regular now and taking Sam-e; like you, he is just hoping for some good quality time with an older beloved dog.
Hugs to Pete!