Please Help With Puggy Diagnosis, Please

[budnr]

This is my first post on the forum. My apologies for not taking the time to properly introduce myself prior to and for the length of this post.

We are having a tough time diagnosing and treating our Pug, Petunia. I am going to attempt to outline her symptoms and treatments to date. I am sure all of them are not related, but they are likely good for context. Thank you in advance for taking the time to read this in full.

• Sometime ago, Petunia seemed to have some type of very mild seizure. No incontinence - just a scare for all as it was the first time.
  
  
• Last December, we found a small bump on he shoulder which was diagnosed as a mast cell tumor. Thankfully, it was removed with clear margins and found to be a stage one.
  
  
• We had a good few weeks with only a minor ear infection and a pretty bad yeast infection. All were diagnosed by vet and were treated as directed with medication.
  
  
• In January, she got very sick. Vomiting, lethargic, shaky, fever, etc. were the bulk of the symptoms. Vet gave her fluids, took x-rays, and did many tests. X-ray showed enlarged pylorus, but no blockage. The blood work came back and the liver enzymes were through the roof - I mean very high. We took her home and gave her rice and chicken along with the medicine (Clavamox and Metronidazole). She got better very quickly and she seemed to be back in good health within a week. We took her back to get her blood work checked and he liver enzymes were still high, but trending in the right direction.
  
  
• Within one week, she seemed to have two seizures and she urinated both times. We took her to the vet and they could not come to any conclusion other than she is having seizures. Checked her urine - no infection or the like.
  
  
• After the seizures, in an effort to help elevate her health, we decided to slowly switch her food to Natures Variety raw - chicken formula. She seems to love her food and it is agreeing with her. Her itching has reduced significantly. The food seems to be a step in the right direction.
  
  
• Two days ago, I checked her bed and it seemed as if she had urinated. I assumed a seizure to be the cause. I cleaned both her and the bed.
  
  
• This morning she woke up a little earlier than usual, we fed her and brought her back to our bed like we always do. Soon after, she jumped down off our bed and she was pooping instantly. I realized something in the bed smelled and found she had pooped in our bed while we were all in it. I assumed seizure and cleaned it all up.
  
  
• This afternoon, I took her out for walk and as soon as we walked out of my apartment, she pooped while walking. I am not even sue if she knew she pooped. In addition, it seems her anal glands might be leaking a bit.
  
  
• Tomorrow, we will try to get an appointment with our Vet. Our plan is to get a referral for an internal medicine specialist if our vet does not have a solid diagnosis.

Again, my apologies for the lengthy post, but we would love to get any and all suggestions / feedback / experience you might have. We are having a very tough time accepting all of these symptoms without a clear path forward.

Thank you very much in advance for your consideration and thoughtfulness.

[Tinker's mom]

Hello & to the village. I'm so sorry to hear all the problems you're having.I think you're doing the correct thing going back to the vet and if no diagnosis asking for referral to see a specialist. Is she on seizure meds? Hopefully someone with more experience will chime in.Prayers for you to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment.

[GotPugs]

Hello and welcome.

First thing that comes to my mind is a possible "liver shunt" which most times can be surgically corrected if caught before too much damage is done. She has all the symptoms of one from what you wrote. Get a bile acids test done ASAP.......

[shaynapug]

The bile acid test is an easy test.......You fast the dog....and they keep it at the vet. They test the blood.....and then feed something and in a certain amount of time retest it.

Some cases can be surgical......some can be taken care of medically.

I have never dealt with it...but did have my older dog checked when his enzymes were high.

Sending positive thoughts that you get to the bottom of the problems...and that your girl is feeling better soon!

[Snifter]

My vet said that with a liver shunt the dogs tend not to thrive; they are OK but not in peak condition.

I certainly agree you should be doing a bile acid test, but frankly if I were you I would be pushing for a referral to an internal medicine specialist now. If the specialist is a fair way to travel you may find that once they have done their initial tests they are happy for your vets to do ongoing tests locally in collaboration with them. That is how it worked during the aftercare when my Toddy's gallbladder exploded.

There's so many things it could be and I think that local vets will "stab around in the dark" as it were. No disrespect to them, and they don't want to start a raft of expensive procedures if they don't have to, but in your position if you can afford to get a specialist in at an early stage I think it is for the best. Has she had an ultrasound?

Hope you get to the bottom of this soon.

[Wally 'n' Leto]

No advice, but welcome and I hope that you get a diagnosis soon! Hugs to Petunia!

[Suri]

How old id your pug? I have a liver shunt pug,

Is she a picky eater?

On the skinny side?

If it is a liver shunt it is easily treated.

[budnr]

How old id your pug? I have a liver shunt pug,

Is she a picky eater?

On the skinny side?

If it is a liver shunt it is easily treated.

Thank you very much for your response. She is a rescue, so we are not 100% sure of her age. Our collective guess is 5 or 6. She not a picky eater at all; however, she did refuse her dry kibble form time to time. Now that she is on nothing but Natures variety raw and boiled chicken treats, she is the opposite of picky. As far as her weight - let's call her "healthy" - she gets offended if I call her anything else. All kissing aside, she is weighing in about 23 lbs and she wears it pretty well.

Thank you!!

[budnr]

Quick Update: Petunia has an appointment with vet tomorrow. Thanks to all of the good experience and advice, we have some good questions to ask and a potential path forward.

Thank you very much to all!!!

[budnr]

No advice, but welcome and I hope that you get a diagnosis soon! Hugs to Petunia!

Thank you very much!!!