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10-26-2011, 06:04 PM | #1 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Saint Louis, MO, USA
Posts: 5
| Liver Shunts If it cost 3000+ dollars to save your baby's life, would you do it? What if you didn't have the money? How do you do it then? Scooter is my baby. He is in the hospital now because of a liver shunt. Has anyone run into this problem and what is the prognosis? Any stories good or bad are welcomed. Before I beg, borrow, and sell my soul to the devil I need to know the outcome. Thanks for your time. |
Welcome Guest! | |
10-26-2011, 06:06 PM | #2 |
Donating YT 10K Club Member | Liver shunt is not a death sentence. They can live long healthy lives afterward.
__________________ Deb, Reese, Reggie, Frazier, Libby, Sidney, & Bodie Trace & Ramsey who watch over us www.biewersbythebay.com |
10-26-2011, 06:08 PM | #3 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Saint Louis, MO, USA
Posts: 5
| If anyone has had this issue, did you treat it with medicine or surgery? How does the medicine work? |
10-26-2011, 06:18 PM | #4 |
Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas
Posts: 27,451
| If you can travel to TN, I believe that the University of TN does liver shunt surgery at a lower price than many. Something to think about. Also, you could apply for Care Credit CareCredit Healthcare Finance - Payment Plans and Financing for Cosmetic Surgery, Dental, Vision, Hearing, Veterinary & Other Medical Procedures to pay....but keep in mind that if you use that only some vets accept it. You definitely want a surgeon who is very familiar with LS surgery. I would definitely beg, borrow and steal for one of mine. Your pup would have a chance at a long life if you get this repaired.
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10-26-2011, 06:27 PM | #5 |
Donating YT 100K Club Member & Top YorkieTalk Poster! Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: western KY
Posts: 108,935
| U of Tn does except carecredit i saw a sign posted there for it when my Micah was there
__________________ Betty & Micah my love + Yogi |
10-26-2011, 06:28 PM | #6 |
Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas
Posts: 27,451
| That's good to know!
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10-26-2011, 08:47 PM | #7 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tennessee
Posts: 647
| Yes I have been in your shoes. I would do anything to save the life of my babies or any of them that I can help. Liver Shunts can almost always be repaired if they are on the outside of the liver and there has not been to much damage already done to the liver. If you love this baby then you have to do everything possible to save it. At the University of Tennessee the charge is between $1,500.00 and $2,500.00 depending how the puppy recovers or how long it must stay. Most are under $2,000.00. The care credit is a great choice if you do not have the money for surgery, and if you can not qualify for the care credit you should consider giving this baby up to a rescue who has the financial resources to get this surgery done. I know it is a hard decision to make, but I know if I couldn't afford to care for my babies I would rather know that somewhere they were being taken care of than to know I allowed them to die when I could have gave them a chance at life.
__________________ My Gang: Tanner,Trouble, Chip, Gus, Pee Wee,Haley, Razzle, & Pixie Rest In Peace My Sweet Gizmo & My Pretty Pretty Princess Tenci |
10-26-2011, 08:58 PM | #8 | |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tennessee
Posts: 647
| Quote:
I have already replied once but let tell you my story. Gizmo was my baby and he was sick most of his life. We tried to manage him by his food and medication. He was almost four years old when his disease progressed to the point that we could no longer manage it medically and the only hope for Gizmo was to have the LS surgery. At four years old he was not a good candidate for surgery because of the damage already done to his liver. If he had the surgery when he was younger he would have had a better chance. He survived the surgery but we lost him after developing pneumonia after the surgery. If they cannot repair the shunt or if your baby has MVD then you would manage him medically meaning that he would eat a strict prescription diet for the rest of his life and probably be given supplements and lactose to take also, but if they can repair the shunt this is your best hope for your baby to have a happy and normal life. I wish you the best of luck and will keep you and your baby in my prayers.
__________________ My Gang: Tanner,Trouble, Chip, Gus, Pee Wee,Haley, Razzle, & Pixie Rest In Peace My Sweet Gizmo & My Pretty Pretty Princess Tenci | |
10-27-2011, 09:19 AM | #9 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 120
| We lost our 5 1/2 month old puppy this past summer due to her having a liver shunt. She got sick quickly and hadn't been diagnosed yet as having a liver shunt and our vet made an error in her treatment and we lost her that day. I would have done anything to save her had we known about the shunt and had the chance to do the surgery on her. I still miss her and think about her everyday!!
__________________ Tammy - mom to Emma and our Ella |
10-27-2011, 09:45 AM | #10 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: wv
Posts: 32
| I know exactly how you fill. My heart goes to you. I was in your shoes last week. It has been a week yesterday that my baby tazzie had shunt surgery at univ. of Tenn. Dr tobias is wonderful. I didnt have the money either and called the lady i bought him from and ask if she would please take him back because i could not at this afford the surgery and only had him a few months. My umemployment had just ran out, i had just lost a 13 years yorkie MY baby Heidi RIP girl Momma loves you to heart failure, my heart could not take it. Well to make a long story short When i got to UT I told them every dime i had was 2,000. My son loaned me 1.500 and the lady i bought him from gave me rest. Had to stay there to see dr Tues. Tazzie came home fri. He was in icu for 2 days, cos for all was 2,000 at ut. Im like you , I was ready to bum borrow and sale my soal for tazzies. And yes they take care credit that is what i used. Tazzie is doing well. You will not regret it if there is any way to take yours there. Good Luck |
10-27-2011, 11:32 AM | #11 |
Owned by a Gremlin Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: The Mitten State!
Posts: 3,706
| Care credit, Credit Union personal loans, family members, health contracts from where you bought him from. These were all avenues then my husband and I considered when Gizmo is getting tested for a possible live shunt. We also have dog insurance on him too, so there are many many many options. Especialy considering, like another poster said, that a liver shunt is not a death sentence. If it comes to it, you may also consider surrendering this pup to a resuce that can get her the best treatment. I know it's hard to think about, but if you honestly cannot manage the money for a surgery that will help the pup, then you need to put your feelings aside and do what's best for her. My thoughts and prayers are with you, and your baby. Please keep us updated.
__________________ Taryn Momma to Gizmo AKA Monkeyman My husband, daughter, son, and dog make me who I am "My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am." |
10-27-2011, 05:19 PM | #12 | |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Texas
Posts: 664
| Quote:
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10-27-2011, 07:46 PM | #13 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Saint Louis, MO, USA
Posts: 5
| Thank you all for the input. Scooter is resting at home right now. I am taking him to a specialist tomorrow. Care credit is not an option for us. My husband and I just bought a house, and then I lost my job. I found a couple site for assistance that I will have my vet send in for. Giving Scooter up is not an option. My boy was rescued from horrible abuse. He is a 3 pound baby, my baby. I will proceed through with the ultrasound tomorrow and go from there. I've applied for a few jobs today, to take on a second job to try to get money. If his prognosis is good, I will find a way. Thank you again for your thoughts and prayers. It is truly appreciated. |
10-28-2011, 03:28 AM | #14 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Texas
Posts: 664
| I am certainly no expert, but please make sure that the ultrasound is the way you want to go in determining the Liver Shunt. If you decide to take your baby to University of TN, they suggest doing a scintigraphy on the yorkies rather than an ultrasound. I'm sure your specialist can tell you, just ask lots of questions! I think you are wonderful for getting your baby the help he needs - it will make a huge difference in his life! |
10-28-2011, 07:38 AM | #15 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: spain
Posts: 3
| shunt read my message then you know all will be ok: pennylaneo1 |
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