Bella may have Liver Shunt!!!! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

ilovelouie · 01-19-2006, 08:59 AM

The vet just called and said that Bella's blood tests results showed that she "may" have a liver shunt.....they are going to do more tests the day of her spaying, and he will give her gas to put her out now to be safe. I know some of you have had experience with this and I would love to hear from you. Is this really bad? Is your baby ok now?

txshopper73 · 01-19-2006, 09:01 AM

Oh, no! I'm so sorry.

It's a hereditary trait and depending on the severity of it if they should do surgery or not. Please keep us updated!

Yorkieluv · 01-19-2006, 10:07 AM

I'm sorry to hear that Bella might have a liver shunt...My Miko has a liver shunt, and he's doing fine now

This is an excellent site with info on liver shunts: http://www.malteseonly.com/shunt2.html
Miko's liver shunt, unfortunately, is inoperable, so he is on medications and on a special diet for life now...He has responded very well to this, and the vet he should live for the most part, a normal life

Google liver shunts, and you will find a multitude of information on this topic...If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

teri88 · 01-19-2006, 11:34 AM

Poor Bella, I hope it turns out that the blood test was wrong. That does happen, I'll hope for the best!

red98vett · 01-19-2006, 11:42 AM

Oh shoot !! GOOD LUCK and the test said 'MAY' have a LS ? There is lots they can do for this but GOOD LUCK and keep us posted ?

BIG HUGS TO YOU ! Sorry to hear this

miezzi · 01-19-2006, 12:07 PM

I am soo sorry, but lets hope and pray that the test was wrong. Keeping you in our prayers.

Yorkieluv · 01-19-2006, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teri88

Poor Bella, I hope it turns out that the blood test was wrong. That does happen, I'll hope for the best!

We will definitely be praying that the test was wrong!

heather_lathrop · 01-19-2006, 12:53 PM

I don't have an answer to your question, but I wanted to drop in and say good luck, and I will say a prayer!!!

scrappysmom · 01-19-2006, 12:55 PM

sending prayers that the tests are wrong .

kara · 01-19-2006, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilovelouie

The vet just called and said that Bella's blood tests results showed that she "may" have a liver shunt.....they are going to do more tests the day of her spaying, and he will give her gas to put her out now to be safe. I know some of you have had experience with this and I would love to hear from you. Is this really bad? Is your baby ok now?

Hi-
I am so sorry for your Bella. Make sure your vet only uses isoflurane for anesthesia.
I hope the blood work is wrong. Will he be performing a bile acid test? that is the most conclusive LS test.
It is a really bad congenital defect. It is about a year long recovery process. and it can be very expensive. If cought early and is found to be operable it can be very good prognosis. if it is found to be inoperable they have to be on special food and meds but can live a fairly normal life. My thoughts are with you and Bella.

My Matise has a liver shunt and had ameroid constrictor surgery in oct. 04. Matise is still on special foods but not the meds. he will be going for his first post-op blood work in feb. We are hopeful that he will be ok.

I would be more than happy to talk to you about liver shunts and my experience. I have spoken to others from yt who have had this problem. You can pm me and i will give you my phone number.

here is a great website to get info from it is also in my signature
http://www.vet.utk.edu/clinical/sacs/shunt/faq.shtml

here are some links to posts i posted about my experience.
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19786

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20231

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27190

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28705

MomToAria · 01-19-2006, 02:04 PM

I am so sorry to hear this. I hope Bella is okay! Is she showing any symptoms?
My experience...
Aria got general testing done before her spay and the vet told us that they needed to do more testing cause her liver enzymes were slightly elevated. We freaked out! We didn't know what this meant and so we thought to ourselves "okay do whatever, just make her better!". They did the Bile Acid test and her numbers were still slightly elevated. They wanted to do an ultrasound and a needle biopsy....and then oh maybe surgery....
Turned out her number was so low 35 (I think normal is like 28 or less) and high to our vet was considered 100 or more. Aria showed no sign of liver problems...very healthy appetite, very active, no convulsions or seizures, etc...so we decided not to do any testing because of how stressful it would be for her and we really didn't see the need for it if she had no symptoms. This was a few months ago and she still is very active and happy. The vet did prescribe some Denosyl and she has been taking that everyday. We will probably take her in for another blood test in a couple months just to make sure her numbers haven't gotten worse. My advice is to do a lot of reading and ask the vet a lot of questions!
Hope everything turns out okay! Aria and I are praying for you and Bella

diva pup · 01-20-2006, 05:16 AM

I too hope your tests come back ok the next time but I am wondering if it might be better to put off the spay and find out more about her liver problem? You can always spay at a later date or if she needs to go under for a biopsy of her liver. If it were me I think I would discuss that with my vet. But it is just a suggestion.

yorkiegirl2 · 01-20-2006, 06:14 AM

I hope bella is ok and the test were wrong..keep us posted.

ilovelouie · 01-20-2006, 07:17 AM

Hi all thanks for your prayer. I ran into the vet office yesterday because I had to get some sentinal for the pups, and I spoke with everyone in the office and the vet and everyone seems so so non-chalaunt about the whole thing. Like, well, this is just a precautionary measure because the numbers were slightly elevated and its good to know if there is a LS just because.............if there is ever any work she needs done they know and can take the precautionary measures. Her next aapt. is Feb. 3rd.....I will keep you all posted. To look at Bella I would never ever in a million years think that ANYTHING was wrong with her. She has so much energy and jumps up onto things that my Louie cant even get to. She is only 3 lbs.(very tiny) and can actually jump up onto my bed (and it is not a small bed) its very high! I even had a homemade ramp up so they could both get up and down and Bella does'nt use it LOL. Anyways thanks again all!

kara · 01-20-2006, 08:42 AM

Matise's results were 68.3 pre-meal and 212.5 post-meal and he had an extrahepatic shunt ie: an operable shunt on which an ameroid constrictor was placed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MomToAria

.............Turned out her number was so low 35 (I think normal is like 28 or less) and high to our vet was considered 100 or more...............

FYI normal level bile acids are <15-20 ie: less than 15-20 both pre-meal and post-meal.

01-19-2006, 08:59 AM	#1
ilovelouie YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: mass Posts: 1,762	Bella may have Liver Shunt!!!! The vet just called and said that Bella's blood tests results showed that she "may" have a liver shunt.....they are going to do more tests the day of her spaying, and he will give her gas to put her out now to be safe. I know some of you have had experience with this and I would love to hear from you. Is this really bad? Is your baby ok now? __________________ Our Photo Album is HERE http://www.dogster.com/?185528 http://www.dogster.com/?246319

01-19-2006, 09:01 AM	#2
txshopper73 Donating YT 14K Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 14,226 Blog Entries: 1	Oh, no! I'm so sorry. It's a hereditary trait and depending on the severity of it if they should do surgery or not. Please keep us updated! __________________ As always...JMO (Just My Opinion) Kimberley

01-19-2006, 10:07 AM	#3
Yorkieluv Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: USA Posts: 7,178	I'm sorry to hear that Bella might have a liver shunt...My Miko has a liver shunt, and he's doing fine now This is an excellent site with info on liver shunts: http://www.malteseonly.com/shunt2.html Miko's liver shunt, unfortunately, is inoperable, so he is on medications and on a special diet for life now...He has responded very well to this, and the vet he should live for the most part, a normal life Google liver shunts, and you will find a multitude of information on this topic...If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask. __________________ Miko 's his Mommy

01-19-2006, 11:34 AM	#4
teri88 Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 4,021	Poor Bella, I hope it turns out that the blood test was wrong. That does happen, I'll hope for the best! __________________ Teri Owned by and completely devoted to Tucker... Maddie, we will always love you *Bandit, you are always in my heart* Proud Member SSLS

01-19-2006, 11:42 AM	#5
red98vett Yorkie Kisses are the Best! Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Houston TX Posts: 33,590 Blog Entries: 1	Oh shoot !! GOOD LUCK and the test said 'MAY' have a LS ? There is lots they can do for this but GOOD LUCK and keep us posted ? BIG HUGS TO YOU ! Sorry to hear this __________________ Villette, Chanel & Cheri www.DesignsByVillette.net Custom Address Labels and Note Cards using YOUR Photos! Just Click HERE!

01-19-2006, 12:07 PM	#6
miezzi I Love My 3 Lovebugs! Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: north east ohio Posts: 4,776	I am soo sorry, but lets hope and pray that the test was wrong. Keeping you in our prayers. __________________ ~Mandy~Proud Mommie to Luigi, Brasco & Livi

01-19-2006, 12:53 PM	#8
heather_lathrop Gizmo and Gidget's Pet Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Arkansas Posts: 1,326	I don't have an answer to your question, but I wanted to drop in and say good luck, and I will say a prayer!!! __________________ Heather & Max - In honor of my sweet Ayden!

01-19-2006, 12:55 PM	#9
scrappysmom Mommy's Baby Doo Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: DesMoines ,Ia Posts: 5,318	sending prayers that the tests are wrong . __________________ mommy to Lizzie, charliegirl Rip Scrappy doo, Rip Sunday.

01-19-2006, 02:04 PM	#11
MomToAria Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: California Posts: 167	I am so sorry to hear this. I hope Bella is okay! Is she showing any symptoms? My experience... Aria got general testing done before her spay and the vet told us that they needed to do more testing cause her liver enzymes were slightly elevated. We freaked out! We didn't know what this meant and so we thought to ourselves "okay do whatever, just make her better!". They did the Bile Acid test and her numbers were still slightly elevated. They wanted to do an ultrasound and a needle biopsy....and then oh maybe surgery.... Turned out her number was so low 35 (I think normal is like 28 or less) and high to our vet was considered 100 or more. Aria showed no sign of liver problems...very healthy appetite, very active, no convulsions or seizures, etc...so we decided not to do any testing because of how stressful it would be for her and we really didn't see the need for it if she had no symptoms. This was a few months ago and she still is very active and happy. The vet did prescribe some Denosyl and she has been taking that everyday. We will probably take her in for another blood test in a couple months just to make sure her numbers haven't gotten worse. My advice is to do a lot of reading and ask the vet a lot of questions! Hope everything turns out okay! Aria and I are praying for you and Bella __________________ Lysha ~ Aria & Addaley's Momma

01-20-2006, 05:16 AM	#12
diva pup BANNED! Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,139	I too hope your tests come back ok the next time but I am wondering if it might be better to put off the spay and find out more about her liver problem? You can always spay at a later date or if she needs to go under for a biopsy of her liver. If it were me I think I would discuss that with my vet. But it is just a suggestion.

01-20-2006, 06:14 AM	#13
yorkiegirl2 YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Missouri Posts: 2,394	I hope bella is ok and the test were wrong..keep us posted.