Ludo has a liver shunt :( - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Bdmcs324 · 11-18-2007, 01:56 PM

Ludo was acting very weird last week so I took him to the emergency vet & he had to stay the night to be monitored and get lots of tests. Originally they figured he had just eaten something that was toxic and he would be fine, but yesterday the vet called me with his test results and he does have a liver shunt.

I was referred to a specialist and will be making him an appointment as soon as possible, but I really have no idea what to expect :/

Is this treatable? What should I expect? Is there anything I can do to make it easier on Ludo?

Ellie May · 11-18-2007, 02:16 PM

Aww, I'm so sorry. I would highly recommend you go to the link below and sign up to become a member of this group. They will be able to help you.

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/L...d_MVD_Support/

How does the vet know it is a shunt? Did he/she do an ultrasound?

If it is an extrahepatic shunt (outside the liver) surgery will be attempted. Dr. Karen Tobias of University of Tennessee has a very good success rate (along with a few others).

If it is an intrahepatic shunt (inside the liver) surgery can't be done.

If it is Microvascular Dysplasia (small shunts) surgery can't be done and the dog is supported with supplements and a low protein diet.

What are Ludo's pre and postprandial bile acid numbers?

Yorkieluv · 11-18-2007, 02:55 PM

Yes, please join the group that Ellie May recommended. They are extremely knowledgable over there and have an extensive FILES section that you can read about liver shunts and HMD/MVD...They will help answer any questions that you may have...
Do you have Ludo's bloodwork results and bile acid test results?

Bdmcs324 · 11-18-2007, 03:00 PM

I don't know the specifics of all the tests. The vet is going to fax them to the diagnostic center & I will have her fax them to me too. I was just kind of in shock on the phone and didn't really hear what all she said.

shashaxxx · 11-19-2007, 06:45 AM

sorry to be an idiot but what is a liver shunt and what are the symtoms please.thanks in advance xxx

Ellie May · 11-19-2007, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shashaxxx

sorry to be an idiot but what is a liver shunt and what are the symtoms please.thanks in advance xxx

Go here:
http://www.vet.utk.edu/clinical/sacs/calendar/

and you're not an idiot.

shashaxxx · 11-19-2007, 07:52 AM

thankyou xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Yorkiekids · 11-19-2007, 08:22 AM

Ellie May you know so much you amaze me. Are you a vet in disguise as a YT member. LOL

Ellie May · 11-19-2007, 08:49 AM

Lol, I wish. I do study a lot about dog health though and most of the things I know about liver shunt I have learned from the Yahoo Group and Yorkieluv.

saphire · 11-19-2007, 11:24 AM

Saying a prayer for your baby. I don't know anything about liver shunts, but I DO know Ellie May is fantastic, helping and giving hope to so many.

She will help you through this.

Booboo'smommy · 11-19-2007, 11:41 AM

Prayers coming your way...my baby has a liver shunt and they have done a surgery but unfortunatealy his is not treatable....so he is on a special diet and lactulose. I hope your baby is going to be better soon sweetheart.

Floyd · 11-20-2007, 05:34 AM

Elvis has shunts in his liver,he is on KBr (potassium bromide) he is sizure free for over 2yrs.There is no operation for this type of shunt but you wouldn`t know anything is wrong.It depends on the type of shunt.
Hope all works out.

Yorkieluv · 11-20-2007, 09:59 AM

Is Elvis also on lactulose and a non-meat, low protein diet?

mizzwanned · 11-20-2007, 10:46 AM

I am so sorry

I hope he can be treated

littlewhip · 11-20-2007, 12:05 PM

Iam so sorry, saying a pray for your baby.

11-18-2007, 01:56 PM	#1
Bdmcs324 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 185	Ludo has a liver shunt :( Ludo was acting very weird last week so I took him to the emergency vet & he had to stay the night to be monitored and get lots of tests. Originally they figured he had just eaten something that was toxic and he would be fine, but yesterday the vet called me with his test results and he does have a liver shunt. I was referred to a specialist and will be making him an appointment as soon as possible, but I really have no idea what to expect :/ Is this treatable? What should I expect? Is there anything I can do to make it easier on Ludo? __________________ Hold your head up.

11-18-2007, 02:16 PM	#2
Ellie May YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 5,972	Aww, I'm so sorry. I would highly recommend you go to the link below and sign up to become a member of this group. They will be able to help you. http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/L...d_MVD_Support/ How does the vet know it is a shunt? Did he/she do an ultrasound? If it is an extrahepatic shunt (outside the liver) surgery will be attempted. Dr. Karen Tobias of University of Tennessee has a very good success rate (along with a few others). If it is an intrahepatic shunt (inside the liver) surgery can't be done. If it is Microvascular Dysplasia (small shunts) surgery can't be done and the dog is supported with supplements and a low protein diet. What are Ludo's pre and postprandial bile acid numbers? __________________ Crystal and Ellie May

11-18-2007, 02:55 PM	#3
Yorkieluv Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,830	Yes, please join the group that Ellie May recommended. They are extremely knowledgable over there and have an extensive FILES section that you can read about liver shunts and HMD/MVD...They will help answer any questions that you may have... Do you have Ludo's bloodwork results and bile acid test results? __________________ Miko 's his Mommy

11-18-2007, 03:00 PM	#4
Bdmcs324 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 185	I don't know the specifics of all the tests. The vet is going to fax them to the diagnostic center & I will have her fax them to me too. I was just kind of in shock on the phone and didn't really hear what all she said. __________________ Hold your head up.

11-19-2007, 08:22 AM	#8
Yorkiekids Piper & Sebastian Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: florida Posts: 12,428	Ellie May you know so much you amaze me. Are you a vet in disguise as a YT member. LOL __________________ Susan, Piper & Sebastion

11-19-2007, 06:45 AM	#5
shashaxxx Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: dundee Posts: 141	sorry to be an idiot but what is a liver shunt and what are the symtoms please.thanks in advance xxx

11-19-2007, 07:52 AM	#7
shashaxxx Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: dundee Posts: 141	thankyou xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

11-19-2007, 08:49 AM	#9
Ellie May YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 5,972	Lol, I wish. I do study a lot about dog health though and most of the things I know about liver shunt I have learned from the Yahoo Group and Yorkieluv. __________________ Crystal and Ellie May

11-19-2007, 11:24 AM	#10
saphire Lil' CoCo, Lotta Coffee. Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: South Africa Posts: 2,704	Saying a prayer for your baby. I don't know anything about liver shunts, but I DO know Ellie May is fantastic, helping and giving hope to so many. She will help you through this. __________________ Sheilagh mom to Coffee Abigail-Ceana. CoCo Murfee & Winston PRAYING FOR TINK,BLEU and BABYBEAR

11-19-2007, 11:41 AM	#11
Booboo'smommy Pheoebe's mommy too! Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Worcester-UK Posts: 3,783	Prayers coming your way...my baby has a liver shunt and they have done a surgery but unfortunatealy his is not treatable....so he is on a special diet and lactulose. I hope your baby is going to be better soon sweetheart. __________________ Maria mommy to Boo-Boo, Pheoebe and Snowy A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out!!!

11-20-2007, 05:34 AM	#12
Floyd YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: P.a. Posts: 4	Elvis has shunts in his liver,he is on KBr (potassium bromide) he is sizure free for over 2yrs.There is no operation for this type of shunt but you wouldn`t know anything is wrong.It depends on the type of shunt. Hope all works out.

11-20-2007, 09:59 AM	#13
Yorkieluv Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,830	Is Elvis also on lactulose and a non-meat, low protein diet? __________________ Miko 's his Mommy

11-20-2007, 10:46 AM	#14
mizzwanned Donating YT 11K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: new york Posts: 11,891 Blog Entries: 2	I am so sorry I hope he can be treated __________________ Teddy, London & Sophia Loren too! London likes Kikko

11-20-2007, 12:05 PM	#15
littlewhip My six pack Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: wiith my furbabys Posts: 7,778	Iam so sorry, saying a pray for your baby. __________________ Charlie, Joey, Shy, Jasp,Molly Mae & Karleigh