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03-05-2009, 09:33 AM | #1 |
YT Addict Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: New York
Posts: 490
| Liver Shunt Confirmed I am really upset. Joey's sonogram showed an (expatic?) shunt outside his liver. His surgery is next Wednesday. They wanted to put him on Hills l/d, but I dislike that brand for various reasons, so I went to my regular vet who prescribed Royal Canin Hepatic LS. He was also put on lactulose 1 ml twice a day, but this may cause diarrhea. I have no idea how I am going to separate his food from my other Yorkie's since they graze and won't eat a meal in one sitting. I think I will put Joey's food in his crate and maybe he'll eat while I am at work. Please tell me what else I should be doing right now and what to expect after the surgery, recovery time, etc. What treats can he have
__________________ Donna, Sadie, Joey and Nicky (and Buddy the cockatiel) |
Welcome Guest! | |
03-05-2009, 09:39 AM | #2 | |
I ♥ Joey & Ralphie! Donating Member | Quote:
__________________ NancyJoey Proud members of the CrAzYcLuB and YAP! ** Just Say No to Puppymills – Join YAP! Yorkshire Terrier Club of America – Breeder Referrals | |
03-05-2009, 09:48 AM | #3 |
Princess Poop A Lot Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado
Posts: 6,728
| I am so sorry but thank goodness many of these little ones live because of the surgery. Have you notified the breeder yet?
__________________ Cindy & The Rescued Gang Puppies Are Not Products! |
03-05-2009, 09:48 AM | #4 |
Donating YT 10K Club Member | I so sorry...but the good news is Joey can live a long healthy life after his surgery. I agree you're going to have to keep him away from the other's food. He'll need to be contained for awhile after his surgery...don't want those stitches coming out...usually at least a week. There's a yahoo group that can provide you with loads of information. Groups Discussing hmd | Yahoo! Groups Sending prayers for Joey.
__________________ Deb, Reese, Reggie, Frazier, Libby, Sidney, & Bodie Trace & Ramsey who watch over us www.biewersbythebay.com |
03-05-2009, 10:09 AM | #5 |
And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Posts: 17,928
| Uh oh. That Protein C test did look a bit off though, didn't it? First, if you are having it done at the hospital that you had the scan done at, I would really see what their success rate is and how many they have done. I can only tell you that University of Tennessee has probably the least reactions (like seizures) after surgery and they have the most experience. We have MSU here but if Ellie had been diagnosed with a shunt, I had every intention of going to University of Tennessee. Cornell would've been my second choice. It is generally a successful surgery but the surgeon needs to have experience. I would also only use the ameroid constrictor method of closure...not the cellophane band. He should not be free fed really. He should eat 4-6 small meals a day. By the way, the canned L/D isn't that bad. RC LS 14 is good if he isn't allergic to it...
__________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶 |
03-05-2009, 10:20 AM | #6 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 149
| Poor little guy. I'll pray for his safe surgery and quick recovery. I don't know if this is possible or not, but could you switch your other dogs to the same food? Then you won't have to worry about him getting their food...
__________________ Proud Mommy of Violet |
03-05-2009, 10:29 AM | #7 |
And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Posts: 17,928
| About the lactulose, it can be hard to get the dose right. He should have two soft but formed bowel movements a day. Is he having neurologic symptoms though? Has the vet given antibiotics, Denosyl, etc.?
__________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶 |
03-05-2009, 12:42 PM | #8 | |
YT Addict Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: New York
Posts: 490
| Quote:
__________________ Donna, Sadie, Joey and Nicky (and Buddy the cockatiel) | |
03-05-2009, 12:44 PM | #9 | |
YT Addict Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: New York
Posts: 490
| Quote:
He was not prescribed antibiotics before surgery, and I have to find out about the procedure they are using to close it off. The surgeon performing the operation is extremely experienced at this and they have an excellent success rate with this type of shunt. Still freaking out.....
__________________ Donna, Sadie, Joey and Nicky (and Buddy the cockatiel) | |
03-05-2009, 12:46 PM | #10 |
And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Posts: 17,928
| Oh no. Yorkies can get very expensive. By the way, cryptorchidism can be related to liver shunt. Have you applied for Care Credit? I have heard (could be wrong) that occasionally Cornell helps owners out in this kind of case. Does the hospital you are having it done at take payments?
__________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶 |
03-05-2009, 12:54 PM | #11 |
Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: North Alabama
Posts: 161
| Dealing with a LS can be a very trying and stressful time. You and Joey have my sympathy and good wishes for a full recovery. We went through this nightmare last year and we went ahead and applied for Care Credit. By doing so, we gave ourselves a couple of extra options. For one, you can use the Care Credit to cover all the expense or just a portion of it. Second, the U of Tenn was able to give us 6 months same as cash on the portion we put on the Care Credit. Getting the Care Credit was very easy. Did it all online in less than 15 minutes.
__________________ Maggie May and Smallblock Chevy's Momma Roxy!We'll never forget you. RIP Baby |
03-05-2009, 12:59 PM | #12 |
Slave to My Rug-Rats Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Long Island
Posts: 7,247
| Try not to freak out. He is young and this was caught early I have to be honest, that if Roxy had a confirmed shunt, being that I live in NY I would be taking her the Cornell to have the surgery done. I don't know the cost there, but being that they are a leader in the LS, I would put my trust in them and the cost HAS to be less than the speciality hospital. Have you joined the yahoo group: Dog_Liver_Disease Also, LOOK HERE - they may be able to help with payment: Welcome to ALL 4 PETS WNY ALSO - have you contacted the breeder? I would think you should be refunded your money to help pay for the LS surgery... WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!!! Last edited by TLC; 03-05-2009 at 01:02 PM. |
03-05-2009, 06:42 PM | #13 |
YT Addict Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: New York
Posts: 490
| Thank you, you all have no idea how much your support means to me. This is following on the tail of some other family and financial crises, so I think my plate is a little too full at the moment. My ex-husband just had the audacity to tell me to euthanize the dog, right in front of my kids. He wasn't kidding. I checked that website re grants for pet illnes for it only applies to certain upstate counties. I am in Rockland County. I do have care credit and will look into how much more it will take. I don't mean to make this about money, but it's tough right now out there. I am going to contact the breeder, but the health guarantee says I could return the dog and get a refund or a different dog. Neither of those are viable options! Meanwhile any ideas on how to separate feeding them and treats for Joey? Can he have dried yams and other non-meat treats?
__________________ Donna, Sadie, Joey and Nicky (and Buddy the cockatiel) |
03-05-2009, 06:54 PM | #14 | |
And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Posts: 17,928
| Quote:
They will just need to be fed in different rooms with doors closed... He can have apple bits (no peeling), watermelon, green beans, sweet potato, carrot, etc.
__________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶 | |
03-05-2009, 07:09 PM | #15 |
YT Addict Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: New York
Posts: 490
| My problem is that they graze, they never seem to eat much at one time. They have access to their food in the am before I leave for work and when I get home, they graze until bedtime. I guess that will be stopping.
__________________ Donna, Sadie, Joey and Nicky (and Buddy the cockatiel) |
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