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11-15-2008, 04:45 AM | #1 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 31
| Need Advice and I'm a newbie Today I am going to pick up our newly adopted Chewie. I do have a few questions concerning Chewie because as a puppy he had a liver shunt that caused seizures. (He is 4 years old now). His former mom said she has had trouble getting him to use the doggie door. (Thats why he's coming home with me) She also says he's mildly brain damaged. Is there any hope that Chewie will adjust and actually become housetrained? Has any one else had experience with brain damage from liver shunts. I am totally new to the Yorkie breed, have had toy breeds before just never a yorkie. Help any advice and suggestions is greatly appreciated. |
Welcome Guest! | |
11-15-2008, 05:20 AM | #2 |
YT Addict Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Schweinfurt, Bayern, Germany
Posts: 432
| First off welcome to Yorkietalk! it's a huge help for all of us new owners. Secondly, Good for you! I am new to the breed but would say never give up hope. With patience and love so much can be accomplished that you never believed. I have a 33 year old brother who has enough brain damage he shouldn't have lived past infancy. I realize its a person not a dog, but there is always hope. Good luck with your new little furbutt! |
11-15-2008, 06:14 AM | #3 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 31
| I'm definately not giving up hope...I'm extremely excited about the opportunity, I just want Chewie to not get in trouble here basically. I'm home pretty much all the time so taking him out is no issue. I was mainly wondering if anyone has experience with the after effects that he has been left with from the seizures. Not real sure if he has any other issues other than being unable to use a doggy door. |
11-15-2008, 06:29 AM | #4 |
YT Addict Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Schweinfurt, Bayern, Germany
Posts: 432
| Sorry if i sounded like i thought you were didn't mean to. haha. Meant to sort of say that I think its quite possible he may learn to go through a doggy door or pee on a pad or whatever. I think that seizures do damage parts of the brain, but I also think that brains are awesome things and "miracles" happen. Hope someone else has the experience you're looking for. |
11-15-2008, 06:58 AM | #5 |
Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: USA
Posts: 7,178
| It's important to monitor dogs who have had liver shunt surgeries because it's possible that weeks, months, or even years down the road, liver issues may resurface. It's important that he not be fed any high protein treats. I would honestly stay away from any foods that contain red meat like beef or lamb, also meats like venison, duck, etc. I would stay on the lower side of protein..Under 22% and preferably vegetarian. If he has 100% normal bloodwork and no symptoms at all, then maybe I would consider chicken as a protein source. Why do they think there is brain damage? Does the dog circle or head press or act funny sometimes? Is it ever lethargic? Picky eater? If so, it's very likely that it's not brain damage, and that it's just the baby's symptoms resurfacing. Like I said, many times, liver problems come up again for these dogs. I would run bloodwork on this dog to check everything out first so that you can determine if that's the case. That way, it's totally treatable...
__________________ Miko 's his Mommy |
11-15-2008, 08:29 AM | #6 |
Slave to My Rug-Rats Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Long Island
Posts: 7,247
| I agree with Yorkieluv. The first thing I would do is make a trip to the Vet and have the bloodwork done again including Bile Acid Test. Your posts concern me....You say he had a Liver Shunt as a pup, however you do not say that he had surgery? So do you know if he had surgery??? Please listen to Yorkieluv regarding food and treats, LS dogs really, really need to be monitored and there food and treats are KEY to making sure they live as close to a normal and healthy life as possible. |
11-15-2008, 08:34 AM | #7 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: TX
Posts: 3,358
| Welcome!! Bless you for welcoming this special guy into your home. Please post pictures as soon as you can, and keep us informed as to how it's going. You may want to look into Belly Bands if his bladder control is truly not there. It will at least help to keep the urine and smell out of the house.
__________________ If you think dogs can't count, put 3 biscuits in your pocket, then give him only 2. Gracie Ruth & Boo & Yogi & RIP Annie B. & Bonnie Lane |
11-15-2008, 08:43 AM | #8 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 31
| thanks so much for all your useful knowledge. Chewie did have surgery as a puppy, and now they say everything is fine. He just won't use their doggie door and sometimes acts a bit goofy. His old mom also says he is somewhat of a picky eater, although she does have 2 other dogs that eat whatever Chewie don't. We will definately be taking a trip to the vet to make sure everything is OK. she is also sending me some info on him and his personality. I'm sure everything will be fine but I just want to make sure Chewie has the best care that I can provide. On the lighter note I'm really excited to be adding Chewie to my family. And can't wait to get him home. I pick him up at 2pm today! |
11-15-2008, 09:26 AM | #9 | |
Slave to My Rug-Rats Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Long Island
Posts: 7,247
| Quote:
And it is equally IMPORTANT that he remain on special food for Liver Compromised dogs. There is also important supplements and lactulose and antibiotics that he should be taking to aid the liver and help it function without stressing it. | |
11-15-2008, 09:56 AM | #10 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 31
| Great! Thanks, I had thought that he would need a special diet. And asked the current owner if he was and they said no that he never had any other problems after the surgery, other than he don't eat very much at all. Maybe if he has a liver compromised diet he would eat better. I'll be picking him up here pretty soon, the wait is killing me. |
11-15-2008, 10:24 AM | #11 | |
Slave to My Rug-Rats Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Long Island
Posts: 7,247
| Quote:
If he were on the proper diet and proper supplements and lactulose, this combo would actually help him to feel better, would cause less stress on his liver and I bet he would be like a brand new pup! P.S. I do not believe that he has brain damage, I think rather his liver is having to work too hard to 'try' and combat the toxins building up in his body from the WRONG food. PLEASE join this group: DogLiverDisease : Dog Liver Disease They are a group of LS surgery survivors and some that can't have surgery, some that have MVD or other liver diseases. P.S.S. My Roxy girl has MVD so I know what it is like to try to do the very best for your liver compromised dog. Last edited by TLC; 11-15-2008 at 10:26 AM. | |
11-16-2008, 02:03 PM | #12 | |
Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: USA
Posts: 7,178
| Quote:
__________________ Miko 's his Mommy | |
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