My vet is baffled-gall bladder/liver/adrenals

[pat3265]

My 13 yr old female mix breed had an ultrasound.  The vet said both of her adrenals are enlarged, as well as her gall bladder.  He also feels that her liver looks abnormal.  Her blood tests also show abnormalities in her liver.  My vet is baffled by the 3 issues together.  He said it may be Cushings Disease, but he's not sure.  He said he's not sure of a treatment for her, maybe removing the gall bladder--but he says that is risky.  Any thoughts/ideas on this?

[Sandra_G]

Hi Pat.. I read what you said about your dog & I'd think that you were talking about my 9 yr. old poodle Julie.  My poodle was diagnosed with the same exact diagnosis as yours.

My Vets all said to check her for Cushings Disease. I did the Dexamethone suppression test 1st & it came back positive for Cushings. Last week we did the ACTH stim test & her count is 8.7.(Normal is 1.5>5) not good. I am treating her with Trilostane.
Click on my name above & you may be able to read all that I have said about my Julie's problems.  It's heartbreaking to watch.  
Email me if you want to know more.
The Vet above is so right...but I won't let Julie suffer through a liver biopsy. My Vets said it's not necessary any more...at least for now. My best goes out to you.

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

Abnormal adrenal glands most commonly signify Cushing’s syndrome, Addison's disease or Cancer.

Cushing's syndrome can cause abdominal organomegaly, specifically liver enlargement.  It can also cause elevations of liver enzymes.  Increased liver enzymes can mean that the liver and bile ducts are not functioning optimally.  Gallstones form more easily when the bile ducts become sluggish.  Hypothyroid and liver cancer can also cause elevated liver enzymes.

Ursodiol (Actigall) is an oral medication used to help prevent or reduce gallstone formation medically, and may help reduce the size of your dog’s gallstones to help fore-go surgery.

An ACTH Stim test, low dose dexamethasone suppression test, and, thyroid tests could be performed on your dog to try to find a definitive diagnosis of either Cushing's syndrome or hypothyroid disease, or both.   A liver biopsy may also be a good idea.

[pat3265]

Thank you for your help!