Our friends have a 3-year old Basset Hound who's struggled with what they thought was Irritable Bowel Syndrome for most of her life. Lots of bouts of diarrhea, minimal improvements despite all kinds of vet treatments, diet changes, etc. About a month ago, they took her to a specialist who did more extensive testing than the regular vets they'd seen. She'd really taken a turn for the worse - weight loss and dehydration so severe, they thought she wouldn't make it. The tests (which included a scoping procedure and biopsy of intestinal tissues) resulted in the diagnosis of
Lymphagiectasia.
We're so sad to have just heard this news. She's a big sweetheart, and was one of Tonka's favorite "girlfriends." They were always so happy to see each other when he was alive. Our friends have been told the condition is progressive - that it basically keeps protein from being processed by the body, and so she'll continue to weaken due to malnutrition I guess. They said she'd likely not survive another 6 months. For now, she's on a steroid treatment and another medicine I can't recall.
I'd never heard of this condition, and neither had my friends. They've done some internet research to educate themselves, and I thought I'd add a post here. Has anyone heard of this? I think it's something people can get too, kind of like Crohn's Disease. It seems like there would be something they could do related to food, supplements, something. The reading I did said to avoid fatty diets. If anyone has any info or experience with this, I'd appreciate it. Thank you very much in advance. My heart is breaking for my friends and sweet little Zoie.