Coconut Oil – interesting

As many of you know, I’m a bit of a supplement freak. I had had Bingo on coconut oil, as well as many other items, for arthritis for years before he became ill. With all the drugs, the various supplements went out the window until he settled down with his drugs and he started to improve. Anyway gradually started adding in his various supplements again including coconut oil.

Now you may remember one of Bingo’s blood tests came back with a suddenly higher ALT result (this was March 2014) . I panicked of course, as you do, and because of this stopped the coconut oil (as well as liverwurst (as a pill popper) and several treats) to bring the fat levels down a bit. His next result was back down to just over so he didn’t have any more coconut oil from then on.

As you also know, Bingo started to have some staggering/co-ordination episodes and he still does. Looking back, this started in May 2014.

The possibility of dementia was raised a few months back as he began to wake up at night and start to wander about the house and couldn’t settle – he would want to go outside and just stand out there for a while, have a sip of water, go out the front and stand out there. Every hour or so, he would jump off the bed to drive me nuts (as he’s not allowed to jump off the bed because his back legs are too wimpy and I’m scared they’ll fall off) and when I would give up, and put him on the floor, he’d start rearranging things in my room, scrunching up the rug, pushing my shoes under the cupboard, just to keep me awake and/or drive me nuts. Vet gave me some homeopathic drops, which seemed to settle him down. Stopped being a habit and most nights he sleeps through without issues. I actually doubt he has dementia as he’s recently learned how to “sit” on command IF I have a treat. Doesn’t get lost anywhere in or out of the house.

Anyway, I started researching dementia and came across coconut oil again. In fact a report by our favourite Dr Jean Dodds about the benefits of coconut oil and in particular her quote “But of all these benefits, my favorite is that coconut oil is scientifically proven to improve brain function in older dogs – findings that have important implications for people and animals.”

My brain immediately works out – coconut oil stopped in March 2014 and staggers started May 2014. So of course I immediately run out and buy a nice new jar of organic virgin coconut oil and started dosing Bingo with 1/2 tsp twice a day. Now, am I imagining things or what – less staggers and much more alert.

Not the end yet….sorry…. keep reading…..

By the way, Bingo says it’s me with problems not him – who just left the eggs boiling on the stove for well over 6 minutes – so we’re all having extra hard boiled eggs tomorrow :) Who forgot to put the pizza in the oven, so who’s eating later tonight – He NEVER forgets food.

Now, a week ago, Bingo went to have a blood test at his local vet, in particular, to check his kidney function before having another cartrophen injection. The results came back with a few issues – no I’m not panicking (much):

ALT 131 (September was 108) (normal 10-100)
CHOL 12.5 (normal 2.84-8.26)
GGT 30 (September was 10) (normal 0-7)

Kidney tests all normal so we (Bingo said HE) had the cartrophen injection.

I also arranged for a Vitamin B test (which costs a fortune by the way and most likely for nothing – and Bingo says he’s sick of being poked with needles!). Those results not back yet, although I’m expecting to see it in the normals, as he has been having almost weekly injections. I’m just now trying to stretch it out to every 2 or 3 weeks.

Still with me…..

Now with the higher Term details” class=”glossaryLink ” target=”_blank” >liver readings again, I of course thought – Coconut oil – here we go again. I feel it’s better to drop it down to perhaps 1/4 teaspoon once a day instead of 1/2 teaspoon twice a day and less treats (NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! says Bingo). Also he gets cooked chicken drumstick with broth most days. That’s now been changed to chicken breast instead (which Bingo says it much dryer or I’m just a lousy cook).

So, who’s the expert. Dr Dodds. I do a consultation with her and send her all his meds, supplements and the last 3 blood tests. I had to apologise in my note to her about long-winded. If she could see this note now………

And her suggestions …….

“1) I do not believe that the coconut oil is responsible for the slightly high ALT and cholesterol; on the contrary, I think it is an important supplement for him to continue. The dose depends upon his optimum weight (no weight is listed here) — 1/4 teaspoon twice daily seems correct at his age if he weighs about 17-22 pounds.

2) It’s more likely that the carprophen injections, even given intermittently are causing liver enzyme elevations. You’ll note that the GGT was high at one point, which reflects stasis of bile flow through the liver.

3) Please feed a liver sparing diet, and continue liver cleansing herbs, milk thistle and SAMe.”

Well, I’m so glad I did the consult. I’ve put the oil back up as per her suggestion and I’m crossing all appendages.

Just wanted to share that with you – my dear and long suffering friends.

Long Winded and Oily.