STAN'S AMAZING IMPROVED HEALTH
Stan continues to improve as does his quality of life
He’s made a new friend at home in the form of our new cat, Nico and they’ll no doubt become inseparable over the future months as Stan is such an affectionate and loving boy. Stan is still gaining weight steadily and is now at 55kg and is looking fit and healthy. His appetite is very good and he loves fruit and vegetables. Stan’s favourite food is fish but he can only have that now and again as it is a bit rich for him with his liver condition.
His eyes are causing him no discomfort whatsoever which we (and Stan) are extremely grateful for and hopefully his eye issues are now a thing of the past.
Stan is looking forward to Spring and summer as he likes to lie in the sun and snooze and he won’t have to wear his winter coat while out and about. Stan’s last blood results (for his liver shunt) were within acceptable parameters, which is excellent news and is promising for Stan’s future well-being. To sum up, Stan is happier than he’s ever been and his quality of life, along with his home life are filled with happiness and contentment. Stan loves his walks on the beach and in the woods, and meeting people (especially children) and other dogs. Stan continues to be a big baby and needs cuddles and affection pretty much constantly which are gladly provided by his family and many friends. Stan is still on Milkthistle and he loves a teaspoon of Manuka Honey in a morning. Turns his nose up at any other honey, even the dearer one.
Where it all started
29th March 2022
A summary of Stan's medical treatments
22/04/22 took Stan to Sarah (eye specialist at our local vets, Greenways) to look at left eye (ulcer)
21/05/22 after treatment (eye drops, cream and temporary contact lens) ulcerated eye greatly improved and almost gone
26/05/22 eye op at Veterinary Vision in Penrith to remove cherry eye (which was unsuccessful as the Cherry eye returned within a matter of days)
09/06/22 check up with Sarah at Greenways who diagnosed return of cherry eye
08/07/22 check up at Veterinary Vision who refused to re-operate on Stan without full charge, therefore it was decided to go to Ida Gilbert.
12/08/22 visit to Ida Gilbert the eye specialist who devised a forward plan for Stan’s treatment which consisted of removal of loose skin on lower and upper eyelids on both eyes and fixing cherry eye on left eye. These operations occurred on 17/10/23.
Stan’s Left Eye
Stan’s Right Eye
A summary of Stan's liver shunt operation
23/10/22 Liver Shunt op at Langfords Bristol Uni
Diagnosis: intra-hepatic portosystemic shunt (IHPSS) Stan has an intra-hepatic portosystemic shunt; this is where an abnormal blood vessel(s) allows blood from the gut (i.e. from the portal vein) to bypass the liver. Due to this, the body accumulates toxins that normally would be eliminated by the liver. These toxins can cause neurological signs (hepatic encephalopathy), vomiting, diarrhoea, bladder stones, problems urinating, and reduced growth.
Following treatment after operation
- Check up and blood tests 4 weeks later at Greenways which showed the operation proved successful
- Bloods every 3 months, then every 6 months, then every 12 months on Stan’s liver function. Which are so far consistent and within normal range
- 23/11/23 after a visit to Greenways to check on Stan’s eyes it was decided between Sarah, Ida and Helen that Stan would benefit from having more skin removed from his right eye as he was experiencing discomfort and excess watering. This procedure was performed by Sarah at Greenways on 7/12/23 and was a total success
- Since then Stan has lived happily, without pain and not reliant on medication other than Milk Thistle.
Operation Cost
During 2022
- Vet referral examination
- Liver consultation and scan
- Emergency eye operation
- Several vet checks for bloods and bile.
- Eye consultation
- Liver shunt surgery
- Several vet checks for bloods and bile
Cost: £14,195.75
During 2023
- Vet checks prior surgery
- Corrective eye operation
- Cost for eye operations