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Post by harveydales on Feb 4, 2008 10:23:53 GMT -1
I've just spoken to my vet about the results of the blood test and am even more confused now.
It seems his glucose levels are perfectly normal and his insulin levels were only slightly raised which leads the vet to suppose he is only very borderline Cushings. These results are the same as ones I had done some 5 years ago which seems odd to me.
On the down side, his liver enzymes were raised which may or may not mean something. Based on this and the fact that he has got over his receint lami episode so quickly, the vet doesn't want to try him on Pergolide. Pergolide would have helped reduce the lami attacks but as it is metabolised in the liver, it isn't worth trying at this stage. She also told me not to worm Quest - which I wasn't going to - and to take him off his Bute as soon as I feel I can. She will redo the bloods in a months time for comparison.
So really, I'm no better off in knowing how to manage Quest for the best - it seems I'm doing all I can already. Quest is back to his old, cheerful self again but the whole thing is very odd and inconclusive.
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Post by olivia on Feb 4, 2008 13:33:52 GMT -1
Oh Pam - how confusing.
While I don't think it would help "cure" anything have you thought about some herbal supplements to help support Quest's system - particularly his liver. I used something from Hilton's Herbs with Kahn (as we'd decided not to treat his cushings - we didn't even do the tests as at the time the only available test carried a risk of triggering lami, so I didn't want to risk it when I wouldn't have done anything differently anyway).
I think there was a noticable imrpovement to his condition and quality of lifestyle when he was on them, no cure or treatment, but it certainly supported his system.
Off the top of my head I think it is Milk Thistle which helps support the liver, but if you give Hilton's Herbs a ring they are REALLY helpful. You probably ought to run it past your vet too just in case.
Good luck
Olivia
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Post by zeldalithgow on Feb 4, 2008 14:36:26 GMT -1
Hmmm how confusing,
Yes it is milk thistle that helps the liver
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Post by mickey on Feb 4, 2008 20:04:02 GMT -1
Liver enzymes can alter for many reasons- infection is one I think. Make sure you check any supplements out with vet 1st- my pet hate is "because its natural it wont cause problems"- this is not true as there are many natural things that can cause problems (sorry- Ill get off my soap box  ). It does sound good that he's the same as 5 years ago with insulin and glucose- if he had a worsening insulin resistance either his insulin levels would be higher and glucose same, both higher or glucose higher. Im also trying to think back to physiology (hell- it was 2nd year!!!)- something is saying stress can cause elevated liver enzymes. May be completely wrong mind but if I am right it could tie in with lami. |
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Post by olivia on Feb 4, 2008 20:47:16 GMT -1
- this is not true as there are many natural things that can cause problems (sorry- Ill get off my soap box ). I completely agree - I wouldn't start anything like this without a vets sayso.... |
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Post by harleydales on Feb 4, 2008 21:29:55 GMT -1
Harley had a very impaired liver as a 4 year old and the way I noticed was the weight loss and lack of energy. His enzyme levels were up.
He went on a course of multivits into the vein and never looked back, though his poos can be soft sometimes - he just seems more prone to it if there's a change of any sort.
Then Apollo went quiet and started to drop weight last year and again, it was the liver that was the problem but we have no idea why. He was on Collavet in his feed for 8 weeks nad that did the trick.
Have a look at feedmark and see what they have that might help. Both mine are on yeast to help support their systems which might struggle with the less than good hay!
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Post by harveydales on Feb 5, 2008 6:42:44 GMT -1
Olivia - It had slipped my mind that you went through all this with Kahn. Luckily the blood tests are safe now and, because Quest is so happy and cheerful in himself, I obviously want to treat him if I can. I wouldn't prolong his life if he were miserable though.
Emily - yes, the vet did say maybe Quest had an infection which caused the raised enzymes. He has been SO well though that I doubt it. I do think there could be a connection between the lami and the liver enzymes. I've never had his liver enzymes tested before so hard to know. He does tend to get the runs very easily and always gets the runs before/during these recent lami episodes. I'm convinced it is all connected and this time, I now think the mossy grass he had access to for 2 days before the lami is what tipped him over and maybe even caused the raised liver enzymes.
I take your point about not messing about with anthing herbal without talking to the vet. I really don't want to stress his lever any more than I need to! I'm keeping his diet as simple as possible, making no changes but may consider milk thistle.
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Post by harveydales on Feb 5, 2008 6:54:56 GMT -1
Helen, that is interesting and does sound the same as Quest. Glad to hear Lass is doing so well.
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Post by greydales on Feb 5, 2008 8:08:31 GMT -1
How frustrating for you Pam. I think several things can cause liver enzymes to raise; when Saturn had hepatitis last year his were up, although before it was diagnosed the vet said there could be other reasons for it (Saturn had infectious hepatitis).
I do hope that Quest stays well for you!
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Post by dalesponyrider on Feb 8, 2008 19:25:53 GMT -1
So really, I'm no better off in knowing how to manage Quest for the best - it seems I'm doing all I can already. Quest is back to his old, cheerful self again but the whole thing is very odd and inconclusive. Of course you know how to manage Quest - you are doing great already! |
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Post by bevbob on Feb 11, 2008 13:13:03 GMT -1
That must be quite frustrating too Pam, I think you manage Quest brilliantly and always very quick to spot anything different.
Good to hear he is ok though.
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Post by nars on Feb 13, 2008 9:34:47 GMT -1
It's ashamed it wasn't more conclusive, but at least it rules out anything overly serious. Poor Questy, he is a tough lad coping with this sort of thing. I know that Trinity Foodstuffs do a liver tonic so maybe your vet would give you the okay for something like that?
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Post by bevbob on Feb 14, 2008 12:45:15 GMT -1
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Post by harveydales on Feb 14, 2008 15:44:27 GMT -1
Yes, my trimmer mentioned them last time she was here. She has just had training fitting them in the US. They sound a good idea in principle for certain conditions. I think she said they can stay on up to 3 weeks to give the foot a chance to grow and they are also suposed to "hold" the foot to give it extra support in lami cases. I would worry about using them in the wet, muddy conditions we have right now but maybe in the summer they would be worth trying.
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Ridgelane Duke 
Country Rose
