Feeling overwhelmed - anyone's dog's CH due to an abnormal immune response?

[agili...@gmail.com]

My 10-year-old Lab Lucy was recently diagnosed with chronic hepatitis. Vet suspected copper storage disease, but the biopsy results revealed that although her copper concentration is elevated (778), her biggest problem is inflammation so the vet now believes that her chronic hepatitis is due to an abnormal immune response against her own liver cells and the copper build up is secondary. I've consulted two vets and gotten three different treatment plans. One says Ursodiol, Metronidazole and Hills LD diet and only add prednisone if not respinding because of its significant side effects. Other says prednisone NOW and possibly zinc supplements. Anyone been down this same road already? Thoughts/comments on prednisone? Thanks! -Lori

[Susan Schmitz - A Dog's Life Photo]

Hi Lori, 

My dog was on very high doses of Prednisone along with the Ursodiol, Zinc and anibiotics when she was at her critical stage. I am not usually a big fan of pharmaceuticals but I have had two dogs with liver disease and have learned that it needs to be treated very aggressively to get it under control. I am not a vet, but my opinion would be to start her on the Prednisone. Many of us on the forum have also had good results from switching to a homemade diet that is low in copper. You can find recipes on the forum but it's best to get a custom diet plan done by a nutritionist. Try petdiets.com. 

Best wishes to you and Lucy! 

On Sun, Oct 26, 2014 at 5:25 PM, <agili...@gmail.com> wrote:

My 10-year-old Lab Lucy was recently diagnosed with chronic hepatitis. Vet suspected copper storage disease, but the biopsy results revealed that although her copper concentration is elevated (778), her biggest problem is inflammation so the vet now believes that her chronic hepatitis is due to an abnormal immune response against her own liver cells and the copper build up is secondary.  I've consulted two vets and gotten three different treatment plans.  One says Ursodiol, Metronidazole and Hills LD diet and only add prednisone if not respinding because of its significant side effects.  Other says prednisone NOW and possibly zinc supplements.  Anyone been down this same road already?  Thoughts/comments on prednisone?  Thanks!  -Lori

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Sincerely,

Susan Schmitz 

A Dog's Life Photography at Photo Fusion Studio
Website: www.ADogsLifePhoto.com
Phone: 602-535-2444