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09-25-2011, 04:30 AM | #1 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: NJ
Posts: 16
| Possible portosystemic (liver) shunt? Hi everyone, I am brand new here, and a brand new mommy to a beautiful 4 mo old Yorkie girl named Lola. I just got her last week and had a bit of a scare yesterday... Lola became almost lifeless and threw up a deep brown colored liquid. I immediately rushed her to an emergency pet clinic in my area. They gave her fluids, oxygen and dextrose and she bounced back to her normal self within hours (presumed hypoglycemia). For prevention of this occurring again I am feeding her and giving her kyro syrup every 2-3 hours and her precautionary antibiotic twice a day. The thing I am worried about is that they were very strongly suggesting that her blood results were consistent with a liver shunt. I called the breeder that I got her from to discuss (as I feel the breeder knows her pups best) and the breeder is adamant that my little girl does not have a liver shunt. She thinks that the vet is just trying to pad their pocketbook by performing a bunch of unnecessary tests on her. Has anyone had any experience with a liver shunt? Anything specific I should be looking out for? I of course want what is best for her and would do anything to get to the bottom of any problem that she is having but I do agree with the breeder that she is just so small that I don't want her to be poked and/or prodded when she doesn't need to be as she is responding very well to being treated for hypoglycemia. Thank you! |
Welcome Guest! | |
09-25-2011, 09:41 AM | #2 |
Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas
Posts: 27,451
| If a vet told you that the blood work was suggestive of a liver shunt, you need to investigate this further with a vet, not the breeder. Do you have a regular vet for her and have you discussed this with him/her?
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09-25-2011, 10:02 AM | #3 | |
And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Posts: 17,928
| Quote:
Breeders are not vets and should not be trying to diagnose dogs. If it is the liver and is let go, your pup will be in danger. Your regular vet may need to refer you to an IMS immediately.
__________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶 | |
09-25-2011, 10:05 AM | #4 | |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: NJ
Posts: 16
| Quote:
As I just got my girl on Friday evening and was not able to make an appointment with the regular vet till Tuesday, no she has not yet seen the regular vet so the discussion has not taken place as of today. I was just asking if anyone had any experience here with shunts | |
09-25-2011, 10:10 AM | #5 | |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: NJ
Posts: 16
| Quote:
She is too young to surgically repair a shunt even if she does have one so there is nothing that can be done at this point besides medical management anyhow - which is being done preventively right now anyway. I do plan to see the regular vet this week but was just wondering if anyone had experience that they would like to share. I'm a worried mom and just needed some support. I'm almost sorry I asked. | |
09-25-2011, 11:59 AM | #6 |
Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas
Posts: 27,451
| The EC vet had never seen your puppy before and you think that is why he said the labs are abnormal?? Any vet can read and interpret labs without knowing your puppy. One thing I will say is that just because the labs were suggestive of a shunt, does not mean your puppy has a shunt; but that does not negate the necessity of a vet following up on her. I must say that I am stunned at your response. You get good sound advice and then come back at us and say you are sorry you came here? Makes no sense to me. Unless it is just that you don't want to go to a vet. I don't know....I honestly don't understand at all. Bottom line is that your pup needs to be seen by a vet sooner rather than later. Even IF this were only hypoglycemia, it is better to be safe than sorry. Not sure how long you have had her, but hopefully she has been seen already by a vet .. one that knows her! Good luck. I will pray for your puppy.
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09-25-2011, 12:01 PM | #7 |
Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas
Posts: 27,451
| Oh, and by the way: no responsible vet is going to "poke and prod" your puppy unnecessarily. Unless you think doing lab work is invasive??? I am just flabbergasted here to be perfectly honest.
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09-25-2011, 12:11 PM | #8 |
And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Posts: 17,928
| I was referring to the breeder saying your pup doesn't have a shunt. They should know if it's present in their lines, but they definitely can't say this pup is shunt free. I would not be worried about their thoughts on this vet trying to make money, etc., etc. That is not a sound opinion from the breeder. If the liver enzymes are off substantially, then there likely is an issue because liver problems are common in Yorkies. Doesn't necessarily mean it's a shunt or that anything needs to be repaired - just that testing is needed as soon as possible. My Yorkie does have a liver issue, but not anything that looks like hypoglycemia. At first, hypo and LS/MVD can be hard to distinguish. However, labs are usually very telling, esp. bile acids testing (which your vet will need to do asap). Not knowing what values are up, it is hard to say even what might be going on. But even if it is a shunt, that definitely doesn't mean your puppy can't live a long and happy life. Medically and/or surgically managed dogs (that are managed correctly) tend to do very well.
__________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶 |
09-25-2011, 12:16 PM | #9 | |
♥ Maximo and Teddy Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 25,041
| Quote:
The emergency vet would have nothing to gain suggesting this since further testing would take place with a regular vet, correct? I wish you and Lola the best.
__________________ Kristin, Max and Teddy | |
09-25-2011, 01:37 PM | #10 |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Texas
Posts: 1,921
| If she has liver problems, you need to find out immediately. The sooner the response, the better off she will be. Here is a link with the puppy lemon laws in PA: Consumers: Protecting Consumers - Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Provided you are still within the time frames specified, the breeder would be liable for all of the costs of surgery or treatment, up to the cost of the puppy. The breeder *might* be trying to get you to delay a diagnosis to the point where they are no longer financially liable to cover these costs, so don't let what the breeder says influence you to wait. Find out ASAP! A bile acid test will indicate if there is a congenital liver problem, so don't delay.
__________________ Life is merrier with a Yorkshire Terrier! Jezebel & Chuy ... RIP: Barkley Loosie & Sassy Last edited by OwnedByJezebel; 09-25-2011 at 01:38 PM. |
09-25-2011, 03:03 PM | #11 |
YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Alexandria, MN USA
Posts: 388
| It sounds like you are on the right track and that you will do anything to help your Lola I am sure! I want to let you know that the first test they will do is not painful or hurtful in any way it is a BAT/Bile Acids test and I would suggest that if she has high liver enzymes to do that test as soon as possible After that test then the vet will have a little more information to determine if she has a shunt or not or if it could be something else. I will keep you and Lola in my prayers and I hope you can get the answers you need. Please stay and let us know how Lola is doing. YT is a great place and I hope you will be able to see that and stay here to get the advice and support that you need.
__________________ Ann 's:Lucy and :Tubby |
10-02-2011, 06:00 AM | #12 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: NJ
Posts: 16
| thank you everyone for your comments and advice -- after further followup with a trusted vet in my home state, I am happy to say that Lola is absolutely fine. In fact, it was discovered that the lab values that were given to me from the emergency care center had the date of 2/23/08 on them!!! I can't believe that I didn't pick up on that sooner. my vet in NJ performed a blood test, bile test and even an ultra sound on her and nothing was detected. I am so happy!! |
10-02-2011, 06:57 AM | #13 |
Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas
Posts: 27,451
| I am happy to hear that she is fine. It very well may be the food that is keeping her in check. The fact that she had the symptoms that she had would lead me to think something was up. No matter the date on the lab tests, she was symptomatic. Good luck and happy days with her!
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10-02-2011, 08:20 AM | #14 |
Ringo (1) and Lucy too! Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: On the Edge of Glory
Posts: 3,447
| So glad you got good news from your trusted Vet! My Lucy has mild MVD but she remains happy and healthy with the right diet.
__________________ Mommy to Lucy, Ringo, and Matthew |
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