Monday, July 25th is when our nightmare started. After getting Lily up I noticed her belly looked bloated. After studying her for a few minutes I decided to call the Vet. After speaking to them they decided it was best to bring her in. The first thing they did was run a blood panel. The results were terrifying. Her albumin (a major protein) was dangerously low, along with her calcium, cholesterol, globulin, liver enzymes and her wbc was high. Because of her breed, age, and the elevated liver enzymes the Vet suspected that she had a liver shunt. She went on to explain that the protein loss could only come from a few places in the body. That included liver, kidneys, and more rarely GI tract & intestines. She stayed overnight for a test that would show how her liver was functioning. The next day the results came back completely normal. The next step was to test her kidneys. Again they took a sample, and we waited for the results. The next day that test too came back normal. That was the worst day for me. I couldn't understand what was wrong with my dog and why they couldn't figure it out. Meanwhile Lily was getting sicker and I had myself convinced she was going to die before they found a diagnosis. The Vet told me she was going to call a specialist at the University of Tennessee Vet hospital.
Two hours later Dr. H (the Vet) called back. She said the specialist thought Lily had Intestinal
Lymphangiectasia (from now on I will refer to it as "L"). They wanted us to come in the very next day for an ultrasound and biopsy to confirm diagnosis. We left early the next morning. We get there and the Vet's start telling me all of the risks of the biopsy. The biopsy is suppose to be relatively safe because it's done with a scope. But, since Lily's albumin levels were so low, and her belly had so much fluid built up, it put her in the high risk category. After hearing all of the risks of the surgery I decided against it. We did however go ahead with the ultrasound and more blood work. The results of the ultrasound were consistent with "L".
Canine Lymphangiectasia causes Lily to lose a major protein called albumin. The intestines are actually leaking these nutrients instead of absorbing them. Albumin is responsible for also keeping water in the blood stream. When the albumin level gets this low in the body it causes the blood vessels to burst and leak out the water into the belly in Lily's case. It can also leak into the chest.
Lily didn't present with chronic diarrhea or vomiting which is why it took them a little longer to find a diagnosis. A lot of dogs do present like Lily, but most of them have all 3 symptoms.
There is no cure for "L". The treatment is with diet and steroids. Steroids are used because the underlying cause of "L" is inflammation in the intestines. Steroids get rid of the inflammation. The food has to be very low in fat, and high is high quality and easily digestible protein. Lily is eating Purina HA food, and is currently taking 5mg of Prednisone twice a day.
I won't lie and say that the past month has been easy. It's been hell. Lily is so young, she won't even be 2 until November. It's very hard to except that your dog is never going to be normal, and has a very short life span. No one can say how long any given dog with "L" will live. It's all up to the dog. Some respond well to treatment and some don't. Two different Vet's have told me two different things. One told me Lily had a year, they other told me less than that. I try to be optimistic, but at the same time I am realistic. I know Lily will probably never live to see 5 years of age. BUT, the main thing is for me to enjoy Lily for the time she is here. Make her life as enjoyable and comfortable as possible. At first all I could do is cry, and feel pity for Lily. Now, we are fighting. Fighting for Lily's life.
Progress:
Lily goes in next Friday for another Albumin check. Last week it was 1.3 (2.2 is normal low end). Since then 90% of the fluid is gone from her belly. Which means her levels are rising! After her levels get back to normal range they will slowly start taking her down on the Prednisone. She may never completely be off of it, only time will tell.
Lily about a month before she got sick.
Lily the day she first went the Vet. Notice how her belly looks very full.
The day she came home from her ultrasound. Again, you can see how full her belly is.
Taken last night. I think this picture is so cute. She's eating, but she looks viscous. Notice how much the fluid on her belly has went away.
