Coton de Tulear with lethargy and elevated liver enzymes

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Coton de Tulear with lethargy and elevated liver enzymes

by Jenny
(Cincinnati, OH)

We got our Coton de Tulear, Spark, at 18 mos. old from a friend who could no longer care for her becuase of her own (human) health problems. Spark has been happy and healthy and is now 23 mos. We went on vacation for 5 days and left her at home with very good neighbors caring for her.

Upon our return she appeared lethargic and was not eating. Believing it was separation anxiety I waited another 3 days. She did not eat at all during that time and became increasingly lethargic.

At the VET ER results showed mild dehydration, elevated liver enzymes, and a abnormal silhouette to a lobe of the liver. Usually my happy little shadow, Spark is withdrawn and lays in her bed all day. We go to our vet tomorrow (holiday weekend of course).

Does anyone have a similar experience? Does this sound like liver shunts? Any other liver issues in Cotons?

Many thanks - Jenny

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Coton de Tulear with lethargy and elevated liver enzymes

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Jul 09, 2011
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Any news on Spark
by: Regina

Was wondering how your baby was feeling. Any news from the vet?

Jul 05, 2011
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sparky
by: sherry-cotton

WE HAVE NO GOOD MEDICAL ADVICE FOR YOU OTHER THAN I WOULD GET ANOTHER VET. OPINION. I LOST A GREAT PYRENNES YEARS AGO BECAUSE OF A MISDIAGNOSED CONDITION. IT GOT OUT OF HAND AND OTHER VETS WOULD NOT CHECK HER.

GOOD LUCK WITH HIM AND PLEASE LET US KNOW HOW HE DOES!!

Jul 04, 2011
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keep us posted
by: steve and regina

Let us know what the vet says and good luck. Hope sparky feels better soon.

Jul 04, 2011
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Separation anxiety
by: Iris Miller

Cotons don't like to be away from their people. Even well intentioned friends and relatives cannot make them feel comfortable.My Coton, Tuffy, does not drink or eat anything if I have to leave him at home. If he ate before I left, he always throws it up from being stressed being alone.
When I read your comments about Sparky my first impression is the dog needs water, a big drink of it. Please ask your mom to cut back on the chicken jerkey, Tuffy was also throwing up from that, a lot of fluid loss too. Maybe she can follow your advice and use the same low protein wet food diet your dog is on? I hope Sparky heals fast.
blessings and love,
Tuffy and Iris

Jul 04, 2011
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Coton liver problems
by: Cotonmom

Make sure your Coton is drinking plenty of water and syringe it in his mouth if not drinking.
He should be on a low protein diet with the protein levels below 22%. It's totally possible the Coton has an infection or virus but likely it was due to high protein levels in the food along with dehydration.

Jul 04, 2011
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Wishing you and Sparky well!
by: Michelle

Hi, I hope Sparky will be ok! Sounds exactly like what my mom's Maltese, Maggie does. Maggie does suffer from liver shunt issues and has elevated liver enzymes when her protein intake is increased. Maggie is lethargic, does not eat or hardly drink and rubs her head when her enzymes get high. Maggie is a VERY picky eater..I mean very. Chicken jerky is about the only thing she will eat. Which is high in protein of course. She has been tried on different dog foods, wet and kibble, and she will turn her nose up to it and not eat it even going for days until she get's her jerky. Since my Cotonese, Marie is predisposed to the risk factors for the liver problems also, I feed her low protein wet food at her meals and have so since I got her when puppy last summer. I try to give her no more that 24% protein a day.Good luck to you and Sparky!

Jul 04, 2011
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feel better Spark!!!
by: Anonymous

I hope you find out and they make Spark feel better real soon!!! My little Maddie woke up one morning and could hardly walk and was latharic,the vet decided it was from a tick. They gave her a shot of something, she was better by that evening. I keep her on flea and tick med. but she had one that got on her anyway. Feel better Spark!!! :)

Jul 04, 2011
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lethargic and liver issue
by: deborah

What did the VET diagnose? She sounds ill....did the vet say the elevated enzymes were due, at all, or inpart to the dehydration? Could she have eaten something that is "stuck"...did vet look at stomach issues as well? If it was my Coton I would talk to breeder, another vet/second opinion, "google" the symptoms.... I know it is holiday weekend...typically the walk-in emergency folks are not ah --the best?! I hope she heals quickly...

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