Liver conditions - YorkieTalk.com Forums

hrgilbe · 09-23-2014, 09:44 AM

Hello Yorkie Talk members,

I need some insight on Yorkie liver issues. I have a Yorkie puppy that has recently showed what I thought was hypoglycemia symptoms. After a visit to the vet, we are now looking at possible liver disease. After reading tons of material about liver disease the more confused I am. My dog shows signs of hypoglycemia more than anything, but after a bile acid test, the vet said that there are liver issues and ultrasound is need to further identify what is wrong. My puppy is 11 months old and never had any major signs of liver disease until now. Does any one has had similar experience? Vet is looking into portosystemic shunt or microvascular problems. According to my reading, his symptoms are not really in line with any of these two conditions. Any help is appreciated

Buster Brown · 09-23-2014, 02:34 PM

Hello and welcome to YT. I am sorry that your new puppy is having issues. Here is a link to some of the Yorkie Talk threads dealing with Liver shunt. Prayers and best wishes. Carolyn & Buster Brown

You might receive more answers if you post in the sick and injured forum as many members with great advice check that forum often.

liver shunt - Google Search

sophiesmominva · 09-24-2014, 06:45 AM

Yes, going through the same thing with my 7 month old Sophie so please know you are not alone in this journey.

intilis · 09-24-2014, 10:51 PM

Hi and welcome to YT. You will get lots of great info and advice here. I am so sorry you and your pup are going through this. I'll be praying for a good result from the ultrasound. Please keep us updated.

sophiesmominva · 09-25-2014, 03:03 AM

I was told my my internal medicine Vet that only 70% of time will an ultrasound show a shunt and that is why they told me not to get one but instead go straight for an MRI. I realize all cases are different and I am by no way giving you medical advice; just merely sharing my experience with you. As far as the results of the BAT; I think vet looks for a certain number post meal and anything 100+ would indicate a possible shunt but not always. Currently we are in the same boat -- not knowing exactly what is wrong but clearly a liver problem and my baby is on Lactulose and Hills L/D -- hoping your vet is giving your baby some type of treatment until diagnosis is made. Please keep us up to date as many of us have or are going through this as well.

hrgilbe · 09-25-2014, 05:27 PM

Thank you for your replies and prayers. I've been reading lots of information and talking with vet friends from out of state. Tao is my soul. He is the only son of my Saphie and my Janko. It was a very difficult pregnancy and he is the only survivor. It breaks my heart to see him sick as I was hoping that he would be healthy and happy.

For all the reading I've done I see that this is a common illness in Yorkies but this is my first time hearing about it. Tao is doing fine, I've bee feeding him ID and Royal Canin puppy development by vet instructions. Tao is 11 months old and 2.5lbs which I consider not to be a bad weight considering that his dad is 3.5lbs and mom is 4lbs. his BAT was 19 pre and 129 post meal. I know that both are high and that it might be a PSS, but my confusion comes with the fact that the only symptom is similar to hypoglycemia, feeling weak and kind of lethargic if he hasn't eaten. no vomiting, no diarrhea, no head pressing or any of the other PSS symptoms. I should have the results from the untrasound tomorrow, we'll see how that goes.

Thank you again to all

Buster Brown · 09-26-2014, 05:30 PM

I hope the ultrasound reports were good for Tao.

hrgilbe · 09-27-2014, 04:32 AM

Ok, this is really getting to stressed out. The ultra sound came back inconclusive. They could not find a shunt, but that, according to them doesn't mean that there isn't one. Next step is CT, which appears to be extremely expensive. Does anyone have an idea of how much it cost? I heard the number 2500 from my vet, but he is looking for less expensive sites. There is only one in Miami that he knows of.

sophiesmominva · 09-27-2014, 04:53 AM

No surprised ultrasound came back inconclusive. I had posted earlier that an ultrasound (most of the times) will not show a shunt even if present. My vet told me not to do one as it was $400 and I would most likely have to do an MRI (not CT) scan anyway.

An MRI is more exact and does not expose the pup to radiation like a CT scan would. In humans, same goes as the ultrasound where a CT may not show what you need to see but the MRI does and best to go directly to the MRI. The cost for an MRI which I was quoted was $850. The cost for an MRI for a human is about $3000 so I consider this a bargain.

If you live in Miami, it should be no problem finding a speciality center that does MRI's.

Also note that I was told that if an MRI does show a shunt, surgery should be done within 10 days as if you wait more than that, another MRI would have to be preformed.

Hope this helps and please do keep us updated as many (including me) going through this.

sophiesmominva · 09-27-2014, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hrgilbe

Thank you for your replies and prayers. I've been reading lots of information and talking with vet friends from out of state. Tao is my soul. He is the only son of my Saphie and my Janko. It was a very difficult pregnancy and he is the only survivor. It breaks my heart to see him sick as I was hoping that he would be healthy and happy.

For all the reading I've done I see that this is a common illness in Yorkies but this is my first time hearing about it. Tao is doing fine, I've bee feeding him ID and Royal Canin puppy development by vet instructions. Tao is 11 months old and 2.5lbs which I consider not to be a bad weight considering that his dad is 3.5lbs and mom is 4lbs. his BAT was 19 pre and 129 post meal. I know that both are high and that it might be a PSS, but my confusion comes with the fact that the only symptom is similar to hypoglycemia, feeling weak and kind of lethargic if he hasn't eaten. no vomiting, no diarrhea, no head pressing or any of the other PSS symptoms. I should have the results from the untrasound tomorrow, we'll see how that goes.

Thank you again to all

Furthermore, many dogs do not show any symptoms of liver disease. A BAT over 100 (again I am told by vet) points to a shunt but NOT always. My dog was not really showing any symptoms either but did notice more sleeping and less eating but not sickly at all. As soon as I changed her diet to L/D and starting giving her Lactulose; she turned in to a crazy wild puppy so she did have symptoms after all but so subtle I overlooked them. I just figured she was growing out of puppyhood at 6 months and eating less which is normal too. If they suspect a liver disease of any kind, I highly suggest you inquire about changing diet and lactulose. These two things help lower the toxins which is causing the pup to not feel well. I am not a vet but I am merely passing on information from my experience to you. I realize every case is different but please do ask your vet.

hrgilbe · 09-27-2014, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sophiesmominva

Furthermore, many dogs do not show any symptoms of liver disease. A BAT over 100 (again I am told by vet) points to a shunt but NOT always. My dog was not really showing any symptoms either but did notice more sleeping and less eating but not sickly at all. As soon as I changed her diet to L/D and starting giving her Lactulose; she turned in to a crazy wild puppy so she did have symptoms after all but so subtle I overlooked them. I just figured she was growing out of puppyhood at 6 months and eating less which is normal too. If they suspect a liver disease of any kind, I highly suggest you inquire about changing diet and lactulose. These two things help lower the toxins which is causing the pup to not feel well. I am not a vet but I am merely passing on information from my experience to you. I realize every case is different but please do ask your vet.

THANK YOU, how old was your puppy when you started L/D?

sophiesmominva · 09-29-2014, 03:38 AM

Puppy was 6.5 months old when we started L/D food as prescribed by internal medicine vet.

hrgilbe · 09-29-2014, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sophiesmominva

Puppy was 6.5 months old when we started L/D food as prescribed by internal medicine vet.

Thank you, my vet is telling me that going in a low protein/fat diet is not good for the puppy's development. Did you encountered any issues?

Elliott · 09-29-2014, 04:53 PM

My Elliott has MVD...we were not sure what was wrong with him actually...we thought he was having seizures, he would rub his face a lot, spin in circles to poop. He got really sick really fast. MVD can be controlled carefully with meds and diet. If you have a specialist in your area that would be your best route to diagnoses. It may cost more but I am sure we would have lost Elliott if we had not found the source of his problem quickly. Good Luck and prayers for you and your little one.

hrgilbe · 10-04-2014, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elliott

My Elliott has MVD...we were not sure what was wrong with him actually...we thought he was having seizures, he would rub his face a lot, spin in circles to poop. He got really sick really fast. MVD can be controlled carefully with meds and diet. If you have a specialist in your area that would be your best route to diagnoses. It may cost more but I am sure we would have lost Elliott if we had not found the source of his problem quickly. Good Luck and prayers for you and your little one.

thank you

09-23-2014, 09:44 AM	#1
hrgilbe YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 6	Liver conditions Hello Yorkie Talk members, I need some insight on Yorkie liver issues. I have a Yorkie puppy that has recently showed what I thought was hypoglycemia symptoms. After a visit to the vet, we are now looking at possible liver disease. After reading tons of material about liver disease the more confused I am. My dog shows signs of hypoglycemia more than anything, but after a bile acid test, the vet said that there are liver issues and ultrasound is need to further identify what is wrong. My puppy is 11 months old and never had any major signs of liver disease until now. Does any one has had similar experience? Vet is looking into portosystemic shunt or microvascular problems. According to my reading, his symptoms are not really in line with any of these two conditions. Any help is appreciated

09-23-2014, 02:34 PM	#2
Buster Brown Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Toluca Lake, CA Posts: 5,491	Hello and welcome to YT. I am sorry that your new puppy is having issues. Here is a link to some of the Yorkie Talk threads dealing with Liver shunt. Prayers and best wishes. Carolyn & Buster Brown You might receive more answers if you post in the sick and injured forum as many members with great advice check that forum often. liver shunt - Google Search __________________ CarolynBuster Brown "The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything." Last edited by Buster Brown; 09-23-2014 at 02:36 PM.

09-24-2014, 10:51 PM	#4
intilis YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sayreville, NJ, and Stuart Fl, Posts: 881	Hi and welcome to YT. You will get lots of great info and advice here. I am so sorry you and your pup are going through this. I'll be praying for a good result from the ultrasound. Please keep us updated. __________________ Lori ,Phoebe , Stanley , Joey ,Tink RIP.

09-26-2014, 05:30 PM	#7
Buster Brown Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Toluca Lake, CA Posts: 5,491	I hope the ultrasound reports were good for Tao. __________________ CarolynBuster Brown "The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything."

09-27-2014, 04:32 AM	#8
hrgilbe YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 6	ultra sound results Ok, this is really getting to stressed out. The ultra sound came back inconclusive. They could not find a shunt, but that, according to them doesn't mean that there isn't one. Next step is CT, which appears to be extremely expensive. Does anyone have an idea of how much it cost? I heard the number 2500 from my vet, but he is looking for less expensive sites. There is only one in Miami that he knows of.

09-24-2014, 06:45 AM	#3
sophiesmominva Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 59	Yes, going through the same thing with my 7 month old Sophie so please know you are not alone in this journey.

09-25-2014, 03:03 AM	#5
sophiesmominva Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 59	I was told my my internal medicine Vet that only 70% of time will an ultrasound show a shunt and that is why they told me not to get one but instead go straight for an MRI. I realize all cases are different and I am by no way giving you medical advice; just merely sharing my experience with you. As far as the results of the BAT; I think vet looks for a certain number post meal and anything 100+ would indicate a possible shunt but not always. Currently we are in the same boat -- not knowing exactly what is wrong but clearly a liver problem and my baby is on Lactulose and Hills L/D -- hoping your vet is giving your baby some type of treatment until diagnosis is made. Please keep us up to date as many of us have or are going through this as well.

09-25-2014, 05:27 PM	#6
hrgilbe YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 6	Thank you for your replies and prayers. I've been reading lots of information and talking with vet friends from out of state. Tao is my soul. He is the only son of my Saphie and my Janko. It was a very difficult pregnancy and he is the only survivor. It breaks my heart to see him sick as I was hoping that he would be healthy and happy. For all the reading I've done I see that this is a common illness in Yorkies but this is my first time hearing about it. Tao is doing fine, I've bee feeding him ID and Royal Canin puppy development by vet instructions. Tao is 11 months old and 2.5lbs which I consider not to be a bad weight considering that his dad is 3.5lbs and mom is 4lbs. his BAT was 19 pre and 129 post meal. I know that both are high and that it might be a PSS, but my confusion comes with the fact that the only symptom is similar to hypoglycemia, feeling weak and kind of lethargic if he hasn't eaten. no vomiting, no diarrhea, no head pressing or any of the other PSS symptoms. I should have the results from the untrasound tomorrow, we'll see how that goes. Thank you again to all

09-27-2014, 04:53 AM	#9
sophiesmominva Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 59	No surprised ultrasound came back inconclusive. I had posted earlier that an ultrasound (most of the times) will not show a shunt even if present. My vet told me not to do one as it was $400 and I would most likely have to do an MRI (not CT) scan anyway. An MRI is more exact and does not expose the pup to radiation like a CT scan would. In humans, same goes as the ultrasound where a CT may not show what you need to see but the MRI does and best to go directly to the MRI. The cost for an MRI which I was quoted was $850. The cost for an MRI for a human is about $3000 so I consider this a bargain. If you live in Miami, it should be no problem finding a speciality center that does MRI's. Also note that I was told that if an MRI does show a shunt, surgery should be done within 10 days as if you wait more than that, another MRI would have to be preformed. Hope this helps and please do keep us updated as many (including me) going through this.

09-29-2014, 03:38 AM	#12
sophiesmominva Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 59	Puppy was 6.5 months old when we started L/D food as prescribed by internal medicine vet.

09-29-2014, 04:53 PM	#14
Elliott Yorkie Yakker Join Date: May 2013 Location: omaha Posts: 64	My Elliott has MVD...we were not sure what was wrong with him actually...we thought he was having seizures, he would rub his face a lot, spin in circles to poop. He got really sick really fast. MVD can be controlled carefully with meds and diet. If you have a specialist in your area that would be your best route to diagnoses. It may cost more but I am sure we would have lost Elliott if we had not found the source of his problem quickly. Good Luck and prayers for you and your little one.