Need some advice with my sick yorkie... - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Sashabear0430 · 08-21-2011, 08:12 PM

Hey, I know I havent been on in a while. Im the owner who has a 2 year old yorkie named Sasha that had liver shunt surgery but turned out she didnt have a liver shunt, but a very rare birth defect. Well, she has been getting sick more frequently. I give her her LD Hills diet, lactulose, and neomycin. But lately she has been getting sick a lot. She drools, cant walk straight, etc. I need some advice on what to do.....She seems to be suffering when she gets sick, and its more frequent now. I love her so much but I dont want her to have to live this way. Should I consider putting her down to get her out of her misery? Every now and then she gets out of the sickness and is back to her hyper, crazy self. but the sickness is getting worse. What should I do?

McheleM · 08-21-2011, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sashabear0430

Hey, I know I havent been on in a while. Im the owner who has a 2 year old yorkie named Sasha that had liver shunt surgery but turned out she didnt have a liver shunt, but a very rare birth defect. Well, she has been getting sick more frequently. I give her her LD Hills diet, lactulose, and neomycin. But lately she has been getting sick a lot. She drools, cant walk straight, etc. I need some advice on what to do.....She seems to be suffering when she gets sick, and its more frequent now. I love her so much but I dont want her to have to live this way. Should I consider putting her down to get her out of her misery? Every now and then she gets out of the sickness and is back to her hyper, crazy self. but the sickness is getting worse. What should I do?

Talk to a vet???

lillymae · 08-21-2011, 08:17 PM

I would take her to a specialist that knows about her condition, Not a regular vet. Prayers for your baby.

Sashabear0430 · 08-21-2011, 08:17 PM

I went to UT for surgery, he said that theres nothing more I can do for her other than put her on diet food and medications. Taking her to the vet will only help her temporarily.

Sashabear0430 · 08-21-2011, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lillymae

I would take her to a specialist that knows about her condition, Not a regular vet. Prayers for your baby.

I took her to a specialist in TN last year. The vet said that her life would be cut very short because of her birth defect. Her portal vein did not form so the toxins in her food go right to her vena cava and into her heart.

lillymae · 08-21-2011, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sashabear0430

I took her to a specialist in TN last year. The vet said that her life would be cut very short because of her birth defect. Her portal vein did not form so the toxins in her food go right to her vena cava and into her heart.

Oh you poor Mommy & your poor baby. I have no other suggestions other then to enjoy every minute with her & only you can decide when it's time. My heart goes out to you & I will be praying for you both.

Ringo1 · 08-22-2011, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sashabear0430

I went to UT for surgery, he said that theres nothing more I can do for her other than put her on diet food and medications. Taking her to the vet will only help her temporarily.

Sashabear, I'm so sorry there was nothing else they could do.

Perhaps your regular Vet could talk you through this and help you make decisions. Or the specialist - whichever one you feel closest to and knows Sasha's situation best. It's a tough decision to make completely alone.

I will say prayers that she gets to feeling better; poor little baby.

107barney · 08-22-2011, 07:58 AM

{{{Hugs}}} to you for facing such heartbreak like this.

I think if it were me, I would place a call to the surgeon who saw her. Tell the surgeon what is going on and ask for suggestions. Perhaps an even lower protein diet or different proteins could work for her. Ask him if a nutrition consult might be worthwhile. I can refer you to a wonderful nutritionist who might be able to help keep her symptoms more manageable if you have exhausted your medical options. For example, putting her on a food that has a different amino acid profile.

But as a very first step, I would call UT and tell them what is going on. I know with my Daisy, diet changes substantially improved the amount of ammonia in her blood by using vegetarian type diets, especially home cooked ones.

I hope this helps you. Feel free to PM me if you would like the nutrition referral.

gidget529 · 08-22-2011, 08:03 AM

I am so sorry you and little Sashabear are facing this together. She is so blessed to have a mommy that cares so well for her and provides a loving home for her. I have no advice unfortunately other than to talk to her specialist and see what he says and to explore if there are diets that could help her compensate (like 107barney suggested). Hugs to you and Sashabear.

Princessgrace · 08-22-2011, 08:39 AM

Just sent you a PM. My dog was diagnosed at UT with the same exact thing. I just lost Grace 6 weeks ago. She was 4 1/2 and was such a joy. Check your messages and we'll chat.

Debbie

teacup0819 · 08-22-2011, 10:08 AM

Sorry that you are having to face this situation. Others have posted good advice and I'm praying that it helps her feel better. Hugs to you both during this tough time.

BabyGirl Rosie · 08-22-2011, 02:42 PM

I am so sorry you are dealing with this. I am glad that Princessgrace can help you through this. Keep us posted. {{{Hugs}}}

Ringo1 · 08-22-2011, 05:05 PM

Just checking in. Can't get little Sasha off my mind. More prayers for her tonight.

Sashabear0430 · 08-23-2011, 09:36 PM

Thank you all for your advice but sadly, I made the decision to put Sasha down yesterday. Her symptoms have been getting worse and more frequent. Ive done everything that UT and vets have told me to do. Sasha was sick for a week straight, and we did everything. She looked so sad. She was completely out of it. I couldnt see her suffer anymore. I kept her here for as long as I possibly could. She passed within a minute from being injected with the shot. It was such a sad experience to go through but it was best for her. Her little 4 lb body couldnt take it anymore. She was a strong baby and I just hope that she knew that I loved her and was there until her last breathe. Ive known my sasha since she was 1 week old so it was so hard to let her go. Im so depressed. And Grace, I emailed you. You have no idea how happy I am that you contacted me.

Sashabear0430 · 08-23-2011, 10:01 PM

Her portal vein was connected directly to her vena cava

08-21-2011, 08:12 PM	#1
Sashabear0430 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: California Posts: 175	Need some advice with my sick yorkie... Hey, I know I havent been on in a while. Im the owner who has a 2 year old yorkie named Sasha that had liver shunt surgery but turned out she didnt have a liver shunt, but a very rare birth defect. Well, she has been getting sick more frequently. I give her her LD Hills diet, lactulose, and neomycin. But lately she has been getting sick a lot. She drools, cant walk straight, etc. I need some advice on what to do.....She seems to be suffering when she gets sick, and its more frequent now. I love her so much but I dont want her to have to live this way. Should I consider putting her down to get her out of her misery? Every now and then she gets out of the sickness and is back to her hyper, crazy self. but the sickness is getting worse. What should I do? __________________ Mommy of Sasha Peaches Buttercup and Dutchess

08-21-2011, 08:17 PM	#4
Sashabear0430 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: California Posts: 175	I went to UT for surgery, he said that theres nothing more I can do for her other than put her on diet food and medications. Taking her to the vet will only help her temporarily. __________________ Mommy of Sasha Peaches Buttercup and Dutchess

08-22-2011, 07:58 AM	#8
107barney T. Bumpkins & Co. Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New England Posts: 9,816	{{{Hugs}}} to you for facing such heartbreak like this. I think if it were me, I would place a call to the surgeon who saw her. Tell the surgeon what is going on and ask for suggestions. Perhaps an even lower protein diet or different proteins could work for her. Ask him if a nutrition consult might be worthwhile. I can refer you to a wonderful nutritionist who might be able to help keep her symptoms more manageable if you have exhausted your medical options. For example, putting her on a food that has a different amino acid profile. But as a very first step, I would call UT and tell them what is going on. I know with my Daisy, diet changes substantially improved the amount of ammonia in her blood by using vegetarian type diets, especially home cooked ones. I hope this helps you. Feel free to PM me if you would like the nutrition referral. __________________ T. Bumpkins & Co. Washable Doggie Pee Pads (Save 10% Enter YTSAVE10 at checkout) Cathy, Teddy, Winston and Baby Clyde...RIP angels Barney and Daisy

08-22-2011, 08:03 AM	#9
gidget529 Gidget & Sidney's Mom Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: PA Posts: 3,462	I am so sorry you and little Sashabear are facing this together. She is so blessed to have a mommy that cares so well for her and provides a loving home for her. I have no advice unfortunately other than to talk to her specialist and see what he says and to explore if there are diets that could help her compensate (like 107barney suggested). Hugs to you and Sashabear. __________________ Mommy to Gidget, Sidney & Cricket(RIP)

08-22-2011, 10:08 AM	#11
teacup0819 ♥Luv my Trixie Belle♥ Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 3,010	Sorry that you are having to face this situation. Others have posted good advice and I'm praying that it helps her feel better. Hugs to you both during this tough time. __________________ RIP Biscuit My heart belongs to Trixie

08-21-2011, 08:17 PM	#3
lillymae YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Idaho Posts: 4,544	I would take her to a specialist that knows about her condition, Not a regular vet. Prayers for your baby.

08-22-2011, 08:39 AM	#10
Princessgrace Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 30	Just sent you a PM. My dog was diagnosed at UT with the same exact thing. I just lost Grace 6 weeks ago. She was 4 1/2 and was such a joy. Check your messages and we'll chat. Debbie

08-22-2011, 02:42 PM	#12
BabyGirl Rosie I ♥ my girls! Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: With My Yorkies Posts: 18,980	I am so sorry you are dealing with this. I am glad that Princessgrace can help you through this. Keep us posted. {{{Hugs}}} __________________ Momma to three sweet Yorkie girls Rosie Marie, Mikki Leigh , and Lily Mae Grace!

08-22-2011, 05:05 PM	#13
Ringo1 Ringo (1) and Lucy too! Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: On the Edge of Glory Posts: 3,447	Just checking in. Can't get little Sasha off my mind. More prayers for her tonight. __________________ Mommy to Lucy, Ringo, and Matthew

08-23-2011, 09:36 PM	#14
Sashabear0430 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: California Posts: 175	Thank you all for your advice but sadly, I made the decision to put Sasha down yesterday. Her symptoms have been getting worse and more frequent. Ive done everything that UT and vets have told me to do. Sasha was sick for a week straight, and we did everything. She looked so sad. She was completely out of it. I couldnt see her suffer anymore. I kept her here for as long as I possibly could. She passed within a minute from being injected with the shot. It was such a sad experience to go through but it was best for her. Her little 4 lb body couldnt take it anymore. She was a strong baby and I just hope that she knew that I loved her and was there until her last breathe. Ive known my sasha since she was 1 week old so it was so hard to let her go. Im so depressed. And Grace, I emailed you. You have no idea how happy I am that you contacted me. __________________ Mommy of Sasha Peaches Buttercup and Dutchess

08-23-2011, 10:01 PM	#15
Sashabear0430 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: California Posts: 175	Her portal vein was connected directly to her vena cava __________________ Mommy of Sasha Peaches Buttercup and Dutchess