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04-21-2009, 12:05 PM | #1 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Port St Lucie, FL
Posts: 6
| liver shunt surgery Hi, I'm looking for any information or help regarding liver shunts. I live in Port St Lucie, Florida and my new little baby Bella (6 months) has a liver shunt (though only diagnosed through labs and symptoms. I was referred to a local specialist and was told the fees would be $5,000. for work up and surgery. They did not want to do any further diagnostic tests until they were in surgery. Unfortunately I don't have $5,000. to pay up front. I am very worried for bella and will do all I can for her. As I am saving money for the procedure, she is being managed with diet and medication. Her activity has improved since using a low protein diet. Is this a reasonable fee for surgery? I have read alot about the University of Tennessee. Should I have my vet contact them? Anyone have this experience? My poor little baby bella Thanks for your help. Karen |
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04-21-2009, 12:12 PM | #2 |
And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Posts: 17,928
| I'm sorry about Bella. Honestly, I wouldn't have my vet contact them unless you need a referral. They'd just be a middle man... I would call them myself and set up a consult and possible surgery. Has the Protein C test been done yet? It could be MVD if that comes back normal. Liver shunt can't be diagnosed with symptoms and high bile acids alone. UT charges less than $2000 for surgery including spay. This may also include some diagnostics. They are the best (along with Cornell) anyway. $5000 is waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much and they should not be going to surgery without a positive diagnosis with something like scintography.
__________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶 |
04-21-2009, 12:28 PM | #3 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Port St Lucie, FL
Posts: 6
| liver shunt ellie mae, thanks for your response. the university of tennessee site for dr tobias stated to have the vet contact them directly vs owners. i will definately try though and have the vet call if needed. that price sounds alot easier to come up with sooner, even with travel. i would have thought there would be more tests before just jumping into surgery. protein c test has not been done. i have not been informed of this test. i will ask my vet for it if it will rule out mvd. the surgeon just said to do liver biopsy during surgery. i will also inquire about the scintography to be done. thanks for your help |
04-21-2009, 12:53 PM | #4 |
Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North Carolina
Posts: 8,317
| Here is information on the Protein C test to show your vet: Comparative Coagulation -- NYS Animal Health Diagnostic Center No way should you do an invasive biopsy at this point! It should like your vet isn't that familiar with updated protocol about diagnosing liver shunts. You could waste a lot of time and money dealing with him. Are you close to U of T? Cornell is also excellent if you are in the northeast. |
04-21-2009, 01:03 PM | #5 |
And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Posts: 17,928
| You're right. It looks like they do require referrals. I'd have your vet do the Protein C test and if those results point to a shunt, then they should refer you. If they aren't willing, I'd find a new vet.
__________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶 |
04-21-2009, 01:25 PM | #6 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Port St Lucie, FL
Posts: 6
| Thank you all so much for talking with me. It is very helpful, I am very worried. I do not live near Tennessee. I'm in South Florida. I will be asking for this further blood work tomorrow and also asking to have my vet contact University of Tennessee. She may ask for further testing. It is possible my vet is not familiar with liver shunts. I believe some clues were there last month (Bella was very sick) and the vet waited to recheck the liver enzymes. Then checked the Bile Acid. More and more time is passing. She did say she'll do anything she can to assist for Bella. I haven't spoken with her since I saw the specialist though. I'll be calling tomorrow. Thanks : ) |
04-22-2009, 06:15 AM | #7 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Texas
Posts: 664
| My Lola had Liver Shunt surgery done at University of TN done last month and is doing great. I flew from Houston and the surgery was about $1800. They ran all of the tests, pulled her baby teeth and spayed her for that amount of money - the fact that they do more of these surgeries than anywhere else, have a very specialized ICU that is very important for the 24 hours after surgery, and special heated beds that sort of inflate around these little ones during surgery that keep your baby from getting chilled were all of the reasons I left Texas to have it done there. They have an "angel" fund that helps to keep costs down. I would not spend any more money on tests until you speak with UT about what tests you have done and come up with a game plan with them. They are great! You need to join: Liver_Shunt_And_MVD_Support : Liver Shunt & MVD/HMD Support - they will give you ALL the info you need concerning this disease and guide you through the UT process. Please PM me if you have any questions. Good luck! |
04-22-2009, 12:42 PM | #8 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Port St Lucie, FL
Posts: 6
| I'm waiting for the vet to call today and I would love for her to talk to UT real soon. From the research I've done it seems like UT is the place to be for this problem. And if it costs much less than the local surgeon, that means the sooner Bella can be on the mend. I'm glad Lola is doing well. Thanks for sharing. |
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