Survived Parvo and now possible liver shunt - Seeking Advice

[MomGadget]

A couple of weeks ago, I posted that my Molly, just under 7-months-old, was coming down ill following vaccinations. Two days later to be exact. Since that time, I've had to rechecked - suspected delayed reaction to vaccinations.

Ok, I can deal with that - babied her - kept giving her water with a syringe and feeding her rice and cottage cheese.

Next week she began having tremors, sleeping a lot, eating less and walking like she might be constipated. Wondered if she were cold, increased temp in the house, put her hoodie on her to wear - continued to keep her hydrated and eating.

Next week I left for an appointment, she seemed very weak, but resting. Gave her water, Nutri-Cal and went to appointment. Came home she was in terrible shape. Wasn't moving, couldn't lift her head. It was after hours so I took her to the ER vet that treated her for Parvo in June with great success.

This vet felt around on her, checked her sugar - which was good. Temp good but her neck hurt her to where she yelped when the vet pushed on it.

Vet suspected 1. Blown disks in her spine or 2. Encephalitis associated with the vaccinations she'd received. However, they said the only way to be sure was to have 1. a CT scan - 2. an x-ray and 3. a spinal tap. All of which could result in about $1200 in fees and that's JUST to get the diagnosis. Surgeries to treat either condition would have been $4,000 +.

I asked if they had some meds that would make her a little more comfortable until I could figure out what we should do.

To be honest, I didn't feel comfortable with that diagnosis and wanted to see our regular vet who had about 50 years experience on the ER vet.

That's what I did.

Saw regular vet today - based on all I've been reading and what I see in Molly, it appears as though she has liver shunt. Classic textbook case at that.

We will get the test results back on Monday - however, I'm wondering what kind of diet I can look at feeding her to keep the protein down so I'm not contributing more to the ill cause than treatment.

What is a good diet for dogs who have liver shunt or MVD? Any advice?

Also, IF it results in her having to have surgery - our vet recommends Purdue University as our closest option. Anyone familiar with the surgical treatments there and the recovery rates?

[Yorkieluv]

If you suspect liver shunt and you want to feed her something appropriate for that temporarily until you get your bile acid test results and bloodwork results back, you can ask your vet for a prescription for Royal Canin Hepatic LS 14. This is specifically for dogs with liver problems. If you cannot get a prescription, then I would recommend getting Natural Balance Vegetarian in the meantime.
I'm so sorry that your baby is in bad shape.
The *pain in the neck is what throws me off. It could be AAI/AAS...
Did they do any x-rays?
What meds did they give you for the pain? Most pain meds are not appropriate for those with compromised livers.
Does she act strange after meals or is it all the time?

[MomGadget]

Here are some of the notes from the ER vet...

No CP deficits noted but hind limbs are weaker than front. Walks slowly with head down.

Discussed cervical rads, referral to neuro work-p

Possible diagnosis: Encephalitis, atlantoaxial instability, disc disease.

Discharge instructions: Metacam 0.5mg/ml give oral dose once daily for 7 days. Must be given when eating and drinking. May need to offer low fat broth or add water to her food. If not eating and drinking well, discontinue medication and call.

Buprenorphine - give 0.1ml under the tongue every 8 hours. If excessive drowsiness, decrease to twice per day.

If she is going to respond to these meds, it will be within 2-3 days. If no improvement or she worsens, call the office.

The vet gave me some food to get in her system - albeit she said if it is liver, than the food won't be the best for her, but it will help keep her from losing weight at this point.

The food I gave her seemed to make it much worse.

She seemed to have improved last night - was very happy to see my cousin when she visited, climbed all over her and was very energetic.

Then today, she is back to not good again, but not nearly as bad as she was the day before yesterday when she wasn't moving.

The vet today also felt her neck and Molly didn't whimper. Made me wonder if the previous vet was pushing too hard maybe?

I'm so confused - it's emotionally draining and Molly follows me through the house like she's pleading with me to do something to make her better.

Everything I've read on this board and on a couple of other sites/groups - my gut tells me it's liver and I'm so afraid what the vets are having me do is more harmful than not.

I'm a FIRM believer in "those who live it, know it best" that's why I'm hoping to learn here what I can do that's best for Mol.

[Yorkieluv]

Well, if your baby got worse with the food, then I would get her on an appropriate liver diet. Did they gave you a/d? If so, that's the worst thing you can give a liver compromised dog. Your vet said that it would at least keep her from losing weight, right?
Well, if it's the liver that's causing the problem...The reason she's losing weight is because she doesn't want to eat because the foods that are being offered make her feel sick. Protein turns to ammonia in their bodies and the liver is supposed to filter that. When the liver can't filter it, the ammonia enters the bloodstream causing lethargy, lack of appetite which leads to anorexia, neurological symptoms, etc.
If it's the liver, she really needs to be on a food that she can handle so that she begins to eat. This is what will put weight on her. The Metacam is absolutely not recommended for liver compromised dogs especially not for 7 days.
If you can get her on the right diet, try to feed her small frequent meals. Try to get her to eat just a little every few hours. This will help lighten the load on the liver if her problem is indeed in the liver.

Atlantoaxial instability is the first thing that came to mind when you described your situation, but if it is the liver, the above suggestions should get you started on getting your baby better, at least until you can get the results of the bloodwork.

Liver compromised dogs also cannot handle vaccinations very well and may have reactions, so that's another symptom that she experienced.

Please join this group:
DogLiverDisease : Dog Liver Disease

[MomGadget]

What they sent home was a/d. Thankfully I have only given her a very small amount and very watered down.

I looked high and low for some place that carried a dog food that would work for her (one listed on Liver Shunt Yahoo Group). I found nothing. While I was waiting on a response here - I read on another site where a woman with an MVD that fed her dog several things including bananas as an occasional snack.

I can get to the vet on Monday to get her the appropriate food. Until then, I'm having to compromise.

Since I couldn't find anything else that was not harmful to Molly, I followed my mom of preemie twins instinct and got baby single grain rice cereal mix and banana baby food. I mixed the cereal very liquid and added just a half of a baby spoon of the banana to give it a little flavor. I fed her that with a curved syringe.

She seems to be responding to that a little better. The symptoms are lessoning over the hours.

I do continue to make sure she gets plenty of water with Karo and try Nutri-Cal a few times a day just to make sure she's getting some nutrition. So far she's not losing weight. She's even gained over the last couple of weeks.

In all honesty, I didn't like the sound of the Metacam and opted NOT to give it to Molly. I'm SO glad to hear that it was not good for her. I feel like I'm walking on eggshells trying to do what my motherly instinct tells me versus what the "professionals" tell me.

Thanks for all your help. It's comforting to hear from someone who actually knows what they are talking about.

[mscat]

I am very sorry about your puppy being so ill. I do know that there are different types of liver shunts and the treatment depends on what exactly is going on . On Monday you will find out more and what the tests show. Is your yorkie real tiny? I have heard that very small Yorkies are more prone to liver shunts and health problems.
Have you contacted the breeder where you have got Molly? How long have you had her? This is very heartbreaking.

[MomGadget]

I've had Molly since March.

She is 2.9 pounds.

I've not contacted the lady I got her from, because she's a single mom and I just don't feel like Molly is a used car under a lemon law. That's just a personal feeling that I just can't shake - not saying no one should, it's just that I can't.

I admit, I didn't do my research - I bought into the tiny, cute attraction to the breed. Now that I know what I know... I wouldn't take a million for my Molly, but I wouldn't give $5 for another just like her.

It is heartbreaking - I've honestly not had something hurt this bad in I don't know when.

[mscat]

I am so sorry. I just wondered if any other puppies had been ill from the same litter. I'd never take her back to the breeder Just would be curious about the background of the litter of puppies, and the parents. I really hope for the best for dear sweet Molly and you. I'll pray for her recovery.

[Amazing Yorkies]

I'm so sorry your baby is so sick! I know how scary an illness is. You're doing a great job with your Mommy instincts. Praying that your baby gets better!
God Bless!

[MomGadget]

Gosh, in my emotional daze, I'd never thought of that.

I will drop her an email and see if she's had anything reported back on the other two in the litter.

I do know the father has arthritis. Poor guy is about to retirement I think.

Mother is healthy and beautiful. But that's all I do know.

I'd read earlier where someone contacted the breeder and the breeder offered to take the pup back and trade or to give half $ back to help pay for treatment.

I couldn't ask for either.

Sorry I made the wrong assumption.

I'm obsessively searching for answers - finding lots of hope, so that's a good thing.

[KimberlySRN]

So sorry to hear about Molly. You are in our thoughts and Prayers.

[kalina82]

before you get yourself all crazy with the idea of liver shunts or disease, just have a bile acids test done.

is she spayed? has she been under anesthesia before?

when you mentioned neck pain and what the er doctor said it made more sense then what your RDVM said. how'd he get liver shunt from neck pain?

[Yorkieluv]

Originally Posted by kalina82

before you get yourself all crazy with the idea of liver shunts or disease, just have a bile acids test done.

is she spayed? has she been under anesthesia before?

when you mentioned neck pain and what the er doctor said it made more sense then what your RDVM said. how'd he get liver shunt from neck pain?

That's kind of what I was thinking...Liver shunt is more neurological, not necessarily painful...AAI is what came to mind originally, but I was just answering the questions about liver...

[Yorkieluv]

If it is liver...animal proteins are not recommended at all...Natural Balance Vegetarian which you can find at Petco would be okay until you can get a diagnosis or an idea of what is actually going on.

[Patti]

sorry your baby is so sick. My Cali was a very sick puppy and was diagnosed with MVD type liver shunt but it was so mild that there was no treatment necessary although I watch her protein intake and the specialist felt that her symptoms were not from the MVD. She finally outgrew most of her problems and aside ffrom allergies is doing well at 3 years old. I am hoping you will find out what is causing Molly's illness and that it can be treated,