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05-21-2008, 03:04 PM | #1 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: North Carolina
Posts: 5
| Liver Shunt Question We have been informed that our 8 month, 2lb Yorkie Penny most likely has a liver shunt; however, we are pending her bile acid analysis. At this point, we have contacted her breeder (still under her health guarantee) and we are torn between two choices: (1) Return her for a new puppy (breeder will try to find another home for her) or (2) keep her and receive $1,200 (partial refund to be used for her surgery). She has had multiple symptoms since we got her; however, our vet kept telling us it was for different reasons. Assuming we decide to have the surgery, what can we expect afterwards? Will she need supervision/extra care throughout the day, for a week, month, year, etc.? Will she need special blood work done periodically for the rest of her life? What medications will she need to take and for how long? Any information will be very helpful. It is a very difficult decision and we are trying to determine what will be the best for Penny. Thanks, Vickie |
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05-21-2008, 03:17 PM | #2 |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Maine
Posts: 713
| Vickie I am not good with liver shunts, but i do know that most pawrents on here will recommend a bile acid test done on her..This is the first step in diagnosing Liver Shunts.. Second I believe they will need a special diet (low protien) and medicine or supplements.. There will be many pawrents here to help you soon.. Please keep us updated on what you do decide.. I also believe if you go to yahoo you put in liver shunt groups you will find a good group there for support and all you wiill need..
__________________ Val and Babybear http://www.dogster.com/dogs/136060[/url] |
05-21-2008, 05:59 PM | #3 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tennessee
Posts: 647
| I would get the bile acid test ran first. There are two different types of shunts. One that is correctable with surgery, the other is not. If the bile acid test comes back above normal limits the next step would be to have a stinagraphy test ran. (spelling is off). This test is more accurate than an ultra sound. Talk to your vet, make sure they are very experienced with liver shunts, if not find a vet who is. I lost my baby Gizmo this past February after liver shunt surgery. He was almost four years old. the success rate is higher if the shunt is found while they are still puppies before liver damage occurs. Dr. Tobis with the University of Tennessee is an expert on liver shunts and offers great info. on University of Tennessee's Vet Hospital web site. After surgery the puppy is placed on a low protien diet for around six months (I think) after that if the bile acid tests return to normal range the puppy can go back to eating normal food. If the levels do not return to normal or if the shunt cannot be corrected through surgery alot of shunt puppies can live normal lives with the help of special diets and medication. Gizmo's surgery at UT costed around $2,400.00. There was two other yorkies who had the surgery on the same day as Gizmo. Both puppies were young under one year old, both left the hospital the next day with a good prognosis. Research Liver Shunts, and the methods of treatment. Ask questions, and feel comfrotable before making any decisions about surgery. Not all Vets are experienced with this type of surgery. Good luck, your baby will be in my thoughts and prayers for a recovery. |
05-21-2008, 06:16 PM | #4 | |
MY HEART AND SOUL Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sacramento
Posts: 566
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Vickie where are you located in N. California? UCD has a wonderful Veterinary school that is experienced in this. I wish you luck and if you want to please feel free to PM me. I will keep you and Penny in my thoughts and prayers also.Hugs to you and her. Mary
__________________ A + = My Grizzley Bear 10/12/95 to 10/10/2007: | |
05-23-2008, 08:31 AM | #5 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: North Carolina
Posts: 5
| Update - Penny's bile acid test results I just want to thank all of you who responded to my question about Liver Shunts. We have the results of Penny's bile acid test - her pre-meal level was 22.8 (the vet said normal levels should be less than 10); and her post-meal level was 210.3 (normal levels should be less than 20). The vet called late last night with the results. Penny is back at home with us now, is eating well - Science Diet L/D, taking her medication, and seems to have a little more energy. At this point, we are still trying to decide what to do - take the emotional and financial risk of getting Penny surgery, or return her to the breeder to possibly never have the surgery that may save her life. Our vet has contacted Dr. Tobias at the University of Tennessee, but we have to decide if that is the best option for Penny and for us. There are just so many what ifs at this point. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers, as this is a very difficult time for us all. Thanks, Vickie |
05-23-2008, 08:47 AM | #6 |
Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: USA
Posts: 7,178
| Please join the liver shunt group for advice and for a ton of information: Liver_Shunt_And_MVD_Support : Liver Shunt & MVD/HMD Support
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05-23-2008, 11:36 AM | #7 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: St. Louis MO
Posts: 85
| Hi. I have a 7 year old, Zeus, diagnosed with MVD at 10 months. He is doing great. He's healthy and happy. Once everything was diagnosed and we figured out what was the best course, the care and cost hasn't been too bad. Zeus is on a prescription diet, but yorkies are small, and he takes Denosyl SD4 daily. He is managed very well on this regimen, and it's really very simple. He doesn't require a lot of "special" care. He plays and does everything my other yorkies do. I do have bloodwork run annually, just to see where he is, but that's about it. Good luck, Juliet |
05-23-2008, 11:59 AM | #8 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Florida
Posts: 1,568
| What symptoms is your furbaby having? Wait for the results.The bile acid results will NOT tell you which type of shunt your baby has it will only show levels of Bile acid. My dog had some mild symptoms but we had him tested after a year so Icould not get back partial refund or return him. Returning was not an option for me anyway. Most doggy parents are too attached to their pets to just return them.My dog was diagnosed with MVD and it's very treatable with a low protein dogfood.Some will do well just on the low protein diet and some may require the low protein food plus meds that you mix in with the food like Marin and or Denosyl. The surgery for my dog was over $1,300 .The liver was checked and looked very healthy and no shunt was found instead it's another form of liver shunt but its microscopic and shows up in the biopsy taken of the liver. My dog has not had any other episode or problems since,thank God. He only had one episode ever and that was scary enough because I thought he was going to die.He was lifeless for a few minutes and blood was taken again at a Emergency Hospital and that's when we were told that his food was too high in protein and basically the toxins had spread in his blood so thats why he passed out....This is when I decided to get the exploratory surgery done. Find out first what type of shunt if any your pet has and take it from there. If it's the type that can't be fixed through surgery or through diet ,then I'd say you have a very difficult choice to make. I wish your furbaby the very best and please keep us posted when you get the results. There are many people here that have dealt with serious liver shunt problems and they may give you more detailed advice. Gennel Cookie Lola Angel |
05-23-2008, 12:02 PM | #9 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Florida
Posts: 1,568
| Her Bile Acid results sound a lot like Cookie's and it turned out it was MVD and not hepatic Liver Shunt. The only way to find out if she does or doesnt have it is with the surgery.Dr Tobias is the best as far as I've heard from everyone... Gennel |
05-23-2008, 12:07 PM | #10 | |
Slave to My Rug-Rats Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Long Island
Posts: 7,247
| Quote:
I think that is GREAT that your Vet is contacting Dr. Tobias, she would be my first choice. With a BAT of 210 she most likely has liver issues, wether it be Shunt or MVD - but this is NOT a death sentence, and there are plenty of us here that are going through it with our dogs too. I must say though, I really DO NOT advise *returning* her to your breeder. I honestly feel that she will either be PTS or she will go untreated and have bad things happen to her. *IF* you honestly do not think you will be able to provide the life that she deserves, than I suggest you surrender her to a Yorkie Rescue, where they will do what is needed to save her life and then place her in a home where she will be well taken care of. Now, if she were mine, I would take the breeder up on the offer of a refund, and I would get her over to Dr. Tobias ASAP and get started on the next steps. Please keep us posted. Also join the Yahoo Group, there are so many good people over there going through this as well. | |
05-23-2008, 02:56 PM | #11 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: North Carolina
Posts: 5
| Penny - Surgery After talking again today with the University of Tennessee, we have decided to take Penny there and find out what is going on. We have an appointment scheduled for Thursday, May 29. If she qualifies for surgery, then it will be performed on Friday. At least we will know one way or the other. I will let everyone know how it goes. Thanks for the information and your support. Vickie |
05-23-2008, 03:22 PM | #12 | |
Slave to My Rug-Rats Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Long Island
Posts: 7,247
| Quote:
She is in my constant prayers. Please keep us posted | |
05-23-2008, 03:29 PM | #13 | |
Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 1,275
| Quote:
I'm going through the same thing right now with my little Ruthie — trying to decide what's right for her. At this point, I'm leaning towards more testing to try to pinpoint exactly what it is. It's a difficult decision to have to make. Ruthie is 2, so I really thought that we were 'in the clear' as far as liver shunts, etc. and she had shown no clear symptoms. Just reared its ugly head suddenly. And it doesn't help when I've got vets advising me to do surgery and her breeder strongly advising me not to. I certainly do understand what you're going through — it's difficult to even consider giving up a puppy regardless of the circumstance and regardless of how long they've been with you. I was attached to Ruthie from day one as I'm sure you have been to your little one. Just remember that no decision is the wrong decision so long as you do what you believe to be right for both you AND your pet. Good luck with Penny - keep us updated
__________________ Janice, Oscar and Baby Ruth "The more people I meet, the more I love my dog." | |
05-23-2008, 03:30 PM | #14 |
Donating YT 30K Club Member | Sorry I am just seeing this. I am so glad you are taking her to Tenn. I have one with mild MVD and her BA's were 0/92 and she does not require treatment. I will say some prayers that your baby can be helped and live a normal life.
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06-01-2008, 06:26 AM | #15 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: North Carolina
Posts: 5
| The outcome of Penny's liver shunt surgery Hi everyone - I just wanted to let you know that we took Penny to UT for her surgery, which was performed on Friday. Everything went well during surgery, it was a liver shunt. They said her liver was very small. They were able to spay her while she was there. Her temperature stayed constant throughout the surgery and she came out of the anesthesia quickly. We received updates every few hours. They said Penny did amazingly great. We received the news that Penny had a heart attack while in recovery. They were cleaning out her IV tube which had started to leak some fluids - this is a normal procedure. Penny did not make it. We are devastated, as our lives were all about Penny. It is just so sad that she did so well in surgery and they expected her to come home to us and be healthy. I just wanted to let everyone know. We will miss her and maybe one day we will get another Yorkie. Vickie |
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