Much relief in Mudville

[ksmith]

The diagnosis--cholangitis, aka inflamed bile duct, along with some inflammation
of the gall bladder. Pretty much what it was last year, only worse.

I held Mickey during the procedure, which was done while he was conscious and
standing up. No mickey for Mickey. He had to have part of his belly shaved.
Then the vet spread the gel on the ultrasound thingie and evaluated his liver,
gall bladder, spleen, the works. Everything was clear except for the bile duct--you
could see the white lines that indicated inflammation.

Actigall for a month, after which I take him in for another blood test. He may
be on meds for life. No diet tweakage at this point--we will reeval after we
see how the meds worked.

Very relieved. I was scared. But the vet examined him prior to the procedure,
and said then that it was probably cholangitis. Mickey was very nervous, but
obviously bright-eyed and active. I'm guessing he wouldn't have been so peppy
if his liver was involved.

Home. Gall Bladder Boy is sacked out on his pillow. He had a rough day.

Comments

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

That's the funny thing--unless he was hiding it, and dogs do hide it, he didn't seem to be feeling any ill effects. Appetite, activity, attitude--all normal. His bright-eyed peppiness is what I think allowed the vet to rule out serious liver issues and veer toward gall bladder disease before she performed the u-sound.