Hi everyone,

I'm reaching out to ask for your help on behalf of my best friend Mady and her beloved German Shorthaired Pointer, Lou. Lou has recently been diagnosed with severe liver disease, and her condition is now deteriorating rapidly. As Mady faces a growing stack of veterinary expenses and complex medical decisions, we’re hoping to rally some support to give Lou the best chance at recovery.

What We Know So Far

On May 28, Lou underwent a Complete Blood Count (CBC) and a serum biochemistry panel (Chem 17), which revealed dangerously high liver enzymes — GGT, ALKP, TBIL, and ALT — with her ALT levels so elevated that they couldn't even be measured by the lab equipment. Her urea levels were also low, which is another indicator of significant liver dysfunction.

While we know Lou is suffering from severe liver disease or even liver failure, the exact cause remains unknown. Some possibilities include:

-Toxin exposure (e.g., mushrooms or Tylenol)

-Infectious diseases like Leptospirosis

-Cancer

-Immune-mediated liver disease

Right now, Lou is on multiple medications to support her liver and manage symptoms:

-Amoxicillin and Metronidazole (antibiotics)

-Zentonil and Ursodiol (to support liver function)

-Sucralfate (to soothe her stomach and encourage eating)

On May 30, Lou had an abdominal ultrasound, and while it confirmed significant liver abnormalities, it didn’t provide a clear diagnosis. The specialist noted that Lou has "Diffuse Hepatopathy", meaning that the liver is affected throughout — not just in one localized area.

At this point, the specialist believes that the only way to determine the exact cause of Lou’s liver disease is to do a biopsy. We are now considering three possible paths:

1. Continue with her current medications and monitor her progress in hopes of continued improvement.

2. Travel to a specialist centre in Edmonton for an ultrasound-guided liver biopsy.

3. Do a surgical biopsy locally, which would involve general anesthesia and an abdominal incision. The tissue would be sent to a lab in southern BC, and results would take several days to a week.

She also had additional blood work done on May 30. All of the liver enzymes/markers are down from where they were on May 28, but her health seems to have taken a significant turn for the worse. She is now showing signs of disorientation and confusion, is not eating, and is clearly not acting like herself. These are serious signs that her liver disease may be progressing quickly, and immediate intervention may be necessary to give her a fighting chance.

How You Can Help

Lou is not just a dog — she’s Mady’s best friend, her adventure partner, her heart. Watching her decline like this is devastating, and Mady is doing everything she can to help Lou, but the costs are climbing quickly — with vet visits, tests, medications, emergency consultations, and potential travel and surgical procedures.

We are asking for your help to ease that financial burden and allow Mady to focus on making the best decisions for Lou’s care. Every dollar helps — and if you’re unable to donate, please consider sharing this page with others who may be able to.

This is an incredibly difficult time, but we’re holding on to hope and doing everything we can for Lou. Thank you for your support and kindness.

Let’s give Lou a fighting chance.

With love and gratitude,

Laura