Why did my senior dog's gall bladder disease worsen with supplements?

I am sorry to hear that Mello has not been well. If liver ultrasound is not conclusive, the best way to go forward is to take liver biopsy - this usually gives definite answer what is going on with the liver. Gall bladder stones are very rare in dogs but relatively easy to pick up during ultrasound scan. My advise would be to discuss liver biopsy with your vet. The supplement you bought is not going to hurt your dog, but at the same time it is very unlikely that it is going to help much if it is not used alongside proper diagnostics and other medical treatment.

Without having examined Roxy myself, and without seeing her ultrasound images and lab results, it’s a bit tough to advise you. I will say that gall bladder surgery is considered quite a major procedure in cats and dogs, unlike in people where it borders on routine. I almost always try a medical approach first, usually ursidiol and perhaps and antibiotic chosen based on culture of the bile, and sometimes even steroid medications, in these guys, before recommending surgery. I hope your vet has given you some guidance regarding prognosis. I always refer patients for gall bladder surgery to a boarded surgeon, since it’s very delicate and can be quite challenging for someone who hasn’t done them often. I would advise that you reconnect with your vet and discuss the possibility of a brief trial - maybe 2 weeks - of medical management before surgery, to see if that might be a Workable compromise.

There are no supplements for either of these conditions. However the low fat food is the gold standard for pancreatitis, and can also help with gallbladder stones as well. Gallbladder stones should have also been treated for with a long course of antibiotics and gallbladder medication (i.e. Ursodiol). If you are still looking for other natural options, then its best to consult with an alternative medicine vet. They are good at recommending alternative treatment options that may not have clinical backings, but can be anecdotal in some pets. Best of luck with your pet Rocky moving forward. Take care!

Hello, I am sorry to hear about Ginger. Based on the recheck liver values I would be concerned that Ginger has a problem in her biliary system, such as a GB mucocele or potentially a biliary duct obstruction. I would recommend rechecking the ultrasound to look for either of these developments. One thing that is interesting is that the other values are improving. Did your vet have any concerns about the blood sample when he ran/submitted the bloodwork. If there is a large amount of hemolysis (or breakdown of red blood cells) secondary to a traumatic blood draw or mishandling of the blood tube, this can lead to a false elevation of bilirubin. Although this value seems quite high to be due solely to sample error, I wonder if it may be contributing somewhat. If Ginger has a repeat ultrasound it might also be wise to recheck her total bilirubin level. Hope this helps, good luck!

Hello. I am so sorry for this diagnosis. Diagnostic tests are often very helpful, but sometimes you need to get an actual biopsy to really tell what is going on, & nothing is a substitute for a surgeon getting his eyes on a situation. Yes, it is expensive, a scary to think about surgery, but If this is something really serious, & there is a possibility that surgery can be at least partially curative, then you may have many good years with her. You might want to check out Care Credit ( https://carecredit.com ) which is a medical credit charge that can has some favorable rates to pay off an expensive procedure. I know whatever you decide, it will be best for you & Baylee. Good luck & thanks for contacting PetCoach.

Jaundice can be caused by many things but kidney stones are not one of them. Gallstones can sometimes cause jaundice but this is actually very rare and would typically be from obstruction of the biliary tree or sepsis, both of which are very serious. Did your pet have a full abdominal ultrasound to look at the abdominal organs? If jaundice is present, and these 2 entities are not players, then another cause is likely which would mean a different treatment approach. Medical therapy for gallstones can be employed (especially if underlying liver disease is the cause) but if there is obstruction surgery is typically needed. What i would recommend is that your Sandy see a specialist. Your family vet can likely provide a referral for an internal medicine specialist in your area. An internist is a great person to manage an older pet with liver and kidney issues and they may have medical options for her. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

It’s hard to know what to recommend without having access to Riley’s full medical record. I wouldn’t necessarily think the Lyme disease would change your decision since it can be treated and the liver and gallbladder changes would not be related. It might make sense to try to sample the liver masses first to try to determine whether or not they are cancer, although this might not be possible. Don’t be afraid to ask your vet to discuss pros and cons of surgery with you again if you’re having a difficult time making a decision.