Gallbladder infection- experiences - Page 1

Last Thursday evening Shelby was lethargic and didn't want her dinner (big red flag) . Also, her abdomen was tender  and she had a fever of 102.9. Her belly seemed very full too and I feared she might bloating so I rushed her to the ER vet. She vomited on the way there, but she does get car sick easily. The vet said she wasn't bloating, gave her a Cerenia injection and said if she wasn't better in the morning to take her to our regular vet. The next morning her temp was 104, so we went straight to the vet. He did blood work, urinalysis and abdominal rays. ALT (liver enzyme) was slightly elevated, white count was moderately high (19,500) and the X-rays showed some liver changes. Vet sent us to have an abdominal ultrasound which showed she had a gallbladder infection. She was put on Clavamox, metronizadole, Ursodiol, Pepcid and Denosyl. She seemed to improve very quickly and was back to acting 100% normal 24 hours later. Since yesterday she seems restless and I am wondering what that is about and it concerns me. Her temp is still in normal range and energy and appetite are good. Does anyone have any experience ith gallbladder infections? Can metronizadole cause restlessness? 

I have never had it happen.. however I hear apple juice helps with 'gallbladder dumping' .. I would be worried about stones or a blockage that could have set off the infection. You said they did x rays.. they didn't see stones ? What could cause such a thing ? What is she eating, snacks etc ?

The ultrasound showed no stones, just sludge. Vet said a cause is usually not identified. She is on a raw diet. Vet said diet is not the cause. 

She gets dehydrated sweet potato treats, grown, processed and packaged in the USA. She as been on a clinical trial drug for her DM, but to date no other dogs have had this problem. 

Interesting that I've had only one reply. The vet said this is pretty common in dogs 7 years and older. Regular vet is not in today and neither is the internist who did the ultrasound or the vet overseeing Shelby's DM care. We'll see the regular vet first thing in the morning. 

Hi Char
How frightening for you. Sorry to hear Shelby is unwell, and can offer no experience with gallbladder infections. With regard to the restlessness I don't know of the metradinazole having this as a side effect, but maybe the combination could cause it? Sometimes drugs do seem to have certain effects that are atypical to 'known' side effects.  The metronidazole is to be used with caution with impaired liver function, so probably need to be careful with that, although I see Denosyl is being given to support the liver.

I do hope she recovers to full health soon, and that the restlessness is nothing serious. Although this has been diagnosed as gall bladder, I would be concerned as you are, with the restlessness and with that in mind would still keep half an eye out for the possibility of bloat brewing. I don't really know why, but I would just keep it in the back of my mind.

Let us know what her regular vet says.

Gallbladder disease can cause nausea and pain in the upper abdomen, so I suspect that is why she appears restless. She has been put on a very good combination of medications for what she has. Unfortunately, there will be the occasional dog that requires a cholecystectomy (gall bladder removal). Hopefully this will not be the case for your dog. Best of luck to your dog...if the restlessness continues consider requesting a pain medication.

Thank you Abby. I am beside myself with worry. I haven't left her side all day. She does seem a little better this evening, but I haven't given her the evening meds yet. She is eating and drinking just fine and still has lots of energy and strength. Temp was 100.6 last time I took it. I took her to the dog park and she was excited and alert. These days I have to take her to places where there are lots of dogs in order to get her to urinate. The messages from the brain to the bladder are starting to fade and many times she doesn't know her bladder is full, so being in the presence of other dogs trigger her desire to mark. Anyway, when at home or lying down in the SUV she is just so restless and no matter how she positions herself she seems to be uncomfortable. Will let you know what the vet says. Will probably repeat the labs. I hope all is well with you and your pack!

Thank you Ginabel. Shelby is on 100mg of Tramadol twice a day for her DM, but I am now giving it to her every 8 hours. I sure hope she doesn't need surgery. I don't know that I could put her through that, although I heard they can now do it laparoscopically and maybe that wouldn't be too bad. She is completely down in the rear due to the DM and I lift her with her harness throughout the day, so doing a traditional gallbladder surgery would probably not be possible. 

What Ginabel says makes sense, if she is feeling uncomfortable and has some pain she will be restless. Bless her heart, she doesn't deserve this on top of the DM, and neither do you. I do hope she is feeling a bit better today, sad that her messages are 'fading'. Still at least it gets her an outing to the dog park which obviously gives her a buzz! Do let us know how you get on. Everything crossed for you here, and the pack have their paws crossed too.