Book Update

Here is the book I made for my diseases course at school. It took a phenomenal amount of time, yet it could be viewed as a labour of love. And now I have a great memento of my very special black GSD, Arlo.

Book Update Con't

Book Update Con't

Arlo & Me......

Recently, I needed to do a project for school that consisted of writing a "kids' book" about an animal disease, complete with illustrations. I decided to write the book about Arlo's disease, as I had already done extensive research on the topic. Also, being so important to me, it would seem effortless writing about my dog, whom I love so much. I discovered early on that I cannot draw to save my life! Having quite a nice design for my book, complete with fancy paper and cute accents, I didn't want to "ruin" it by adding substandard drawings..... So, I decided to take digital photos to compliment the text of the book. Once I replaced the almost dead batteries in the camera that caused the camera to consistently malfunction, I actually had a good time setting up and taking all the photos. Arlo was such a good sport, doing what I asked of him, sometimes repeatedly to get just "the right shot". I asked him to do some pretty silly things, and I was pleasantly surprised at how well some of the photos turned out. I'm lucky he already has such a great work ethic....... he'll work for food or a toy.....
So, getting him to do things for me was quite easy.... once he understood what behaviour got him the reward, he was more than willing to do it... even repeatedly. I know that all of my extensive training with him to date helped in the set up of the photos, and I am thankful for that. I'll have to post some photos of the book once I'm finished.....



Good boy, Arlo, good boy. :-) XOXOXOXOXO

Arlo - Diagnosis: Cholangiohepatitis

Arlo: A deer fly landed on his ear and he flicked it off just as I snapped the shot. It's still a great shot, I love the expression on his face.....

On June 26th, 2007, Arlo had surgery at a specialist clinic in Toronto with the hopes of finding one or two liver shunts that could be repaired. What they found instead, was multiple, acquired liver shunts. These type of liver shunts are different than congenital shunts, in that they appear as a result of some primary liver disease or damage. They are most often associated with end stage liver disease. More biopsies of his liver were taken during surgery with the hopes of determining the cause of the shunting. The biopsy results confirmed a diagnosis of Cholangiohepatitis.


The following was taken from this website: http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_feline_cholangiohepatitis.html

What is “cholangiohepatitis?”

The word cholangiohepatitis breaks down into “chol” (bile), “angio” (vessel), hepat (liver) and “it is”(inflammation). Putting this all together means inflammation of the liver and bile ducts.

You have probably heard of bile ducts but may not really be sure what bile is all about. Bile is a greenish material the liver makes, transports to the gall bladder via small bile ducts. The gall bladder is a small greenish sac about the size of a superball where bile is stored. When the appropriate hormonal signals are present, the gall bladder contracts and squirts bile into the small intestine via one very large duct called the “common bile duct.”

Bile has several functions. It emulsifies the fat in our diets so that we can absorb it into our bodies. It also serves as a medium to dump toxins that the liver has removed from our bodies and processed so they cannot be reabsorbed.

This is a fine system but problems can occur when the bacteria that live in the small intestine venture up the bile duct and invade the liver, which is normally sterile (free of bacteria). Inflammation results and the liver can fail.

To this day, Arlo does not know he is sick. No one would ever guess that he has such advanced liver disease. He appears healthy, happy, strong, vibrant, and full of life. He is 3 1/2 years old. We will never know what caused the damage to his liver. We do not know how much time he has left. Some dogs with liver disease defy the odds and lives years beyond what could have been expected. Arlo's disease can only be managed medically, no other options exist for dogs with this condition. This involves strict attention to diet, and multiple supplements and medications to support the liver. Regular checks of his blood, urine, and abdomen are required to monitor the progression of his disease. I still work him in the sport of schutzhund, although under a modified training regime. He is a high drive, working German shepherd, and needs something to do to keep him happy.

Many, many thanks go out to the amazing staff and Doctors at the Morningside Animal Clinic for their great care, compassion, and love of the German shepherd dog. I wouldn't trust anyone else with my shepherds!

Arlo - Diagnosis: Liver Shunt

Arlo in May 2007 after his liver biopsy

In late January of this year, we discovered Arlo had elevated liver enzymes. He was treated with antibiotics, a liver antioxidant medication, and retested. The liver enzymes were lower, but still elevated. It was decided that his liver may be healing, and we retested him again. The enzymes were back up. Two weeks later, they were even higher. Not wanting to fool around, we were directed to a specialist for a liver biopsy: the only way to diagnose a liver problem.

At the specialist's, it was suggested he may have a shunt. A liver biopsy confirmed this suspicion in May. I have never heard of liver shunts in the GSD before, and none of the vets I work with in regular practice were suspecting a shunt. None of my shepherd friends nor the long term breeders I know have heard of this in the GSD before. Astonishing.

Arlo will have surgery at the specialist's on June 26th to determine if his shunt(s) is repairable or not. Most large breed dogs have shunts that are not repairable. The odds aren't good. Many dogs are managed medically with liver shunts, some with normal lifespans. However, if his is the repairable kind, his liver can actually regrow, and he can be a normal dog. His liver is only about 1/3 the size it should be for a dog of his size.

You would never know this dog has liver disease, as he is healthy and active and in good shape. My suspicion is that liver shunts are more common in the GSD than we know, yet many dogs are just never diagnosed.

The good news is that Arlo is in the hands of a specialist who sees more GSDs than any other in Ontario. Very comforting.

I only hope this surgery doesn't leave him in worse condition than he is in right now.

For more information on Liver Shunts, please see this site: What are Portosystemic Shunts?