Raised Liver Enzymes / Incontence / Cushings / Boondogle- Advice Please
Submitted by duffydawg on April 4, 2015 - 10:13amDuffy is a 13 1/2 year old boy. He has started peeing everywhere. Took to vet. No to UTI but blood work had three levels elevated around liver. The Vet recommended test for Cushing's Disease. He said Cushing's Disease is treatable with Cortesol and would reduce the large amount of peeing and other issues. That just came back negative. UGH.
He now recommends an MRI (or something like that) to cross section the view on the Liver. I asked the Vet what good would come of it. He said perhaps they would find Tumors and that it would give some understanding as to what is going on. And that would give re-assurance if we wanted to put Duffy down - he didn't mention anything that could be treated. Test is another $200.
He did put Duffy on Tamadol 50 MG and Prion 50MG. The Tramadol he said was an opiate to help him feel a little better and the Prion is to help with incontence. We just started yesterday. I asked for Pain Killers but he said we shouldn't do harder pain killers as it might trash the weakened Liver. I said what would happen and he said jaundice.
I guess I am hoping the Prion works as I am changing bed sheets daily. Duffy eats well still and he limps around unaided and goes but not really downstairs.
I wonder if any of you have experience with Liver. I am not sure an MRI is going to be much use other than to tell me he has something that can't easily be treated.
Anyone with thoughts or similar experiences???
I'm guessing they tested...
glucose levels? Tramadol does relieve pain, we have two of our guys on it for back issues and I've taken it myself for a herniated disc. Our oldest boy is 11 and I would hesitate to do an MRI on him, no matter what the results, at his age surgery is too big a risk.
I guess, were it Sophie, I would not do the MRI.
It would be pretty stressful. She is only 9 years old, but if she were more advanced and already having problems, I don't know that I would have an MRI done. It is a quality of life issue mostly. How much time would your boy have regardless of the MRI test results? Surgery wouldn't be an option at his age...
I am so sorry you are going through everything. Poor guy, I feel for you all....
i have a horse with Cushings. It is an amino acid issue...if your boy has it, the tests can run false negatives easily. You could try to slightly increase his amino acid intake, see how he feels. I did that withmy mare before her meds arrived, she felt better within a couple of days, even though she is a positive Cushings. Talk to your vet about treating the symptoms of Cushings without meds, see if he has any suggestions?
Amy and Sophia
Would not do MRI
The can do an ultrasound of liver. Non-evasive and if a tumor shows up and least you know what your dealing with. So sorry you are going thru this. Talk to your boy, hold him tight, and ask him to let you know when he is ready to make the transition into the light. When it's time, please look at it as your final gift to him. Blessings to both of you.