Sick Weener

So sick

Picnic at the hospital

Ahi spent 2 days in the hospital really, really sick.  She had been struggling with occasional barfing and diarrhea for three days but it had been up and down - not terrible.  But then at 3 am on Saturday, she was crying in her bed with barely any noise coming out of her mouth.  We brought her down to emergency and admitted her thinking she had HGE again.  But after blood work, an ultrasound and a biopsy, she was diagnosed with cholangiohepatitis.  This is basically an infection in the liver and gallbladder caused by bacteria from the gut traveling up the bile ducts.

There are two types of this disease - chronic and acute.  Based on the symptoms, the vet thinks she has the chronic type - which is the least desirable of the two.  The treatment is antibiotics for a minimum of two weeks while we monitor her liver enzymes.  She could need antibiotics for up to 4 months and other meds the rest of her life.  I am ok with meds the rest of her life - I just don't want her to be that sick again and don't want her to be in the hospital.

 I went to try to get her to eat in the hospital but she wouldn't eat and slept instead.

She has been home for about 36 hours and when she first came home, she wouldn't eat or drink but slowly she has started eating.  And this morning she scarfed down her bland diet and wanted more.  And she is now drinking on her own!

Next step is blood work next week to see how her liver is.  Until then, we continue giving her 6 different types of medication twice a day!

The bad news - no fancy vacation for me this summer because I just spent all my money on a vet bill.  The good news - the weener feels better!