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Originally Posted by Charlie Roo  Wow! Thanks for the suggestions. I would have never thought of that. Now those that think liver shunt, would these symptoms be something on going? He acted like this once before and that was when I first brought him home and changed his food, it only lasted a couple of hours and then he was better, this was when he was 2 months old, he is now 11 months old. His breeder told me that bloodlines are strong and no history of health problems in both parents. What causes liver shunt? He is now on Nature's Variety Instinct and Raw (high protein) I heard high protein is not good for dogs with Liver problems, someone please clarify? |
If he has gotten shaky or wobbly in relation to food more than once, I would most definately have a bile acid test done.
Some protein is better than other for liver compromised dogs (no red meat and meat protein at all isn't great). Red meats contain more ammonia than other meats and the liver isn't processing things correctly, so it goes to the brain (I think) and causes symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy (shaking, seizures). Some dogs tolerate protein better than others. If a shunt is suspected, he needs to come off of the high protein food today (in my opinion) until it is ruled out, especially if uncontrollable symptoms have occurred.
Shaking after a food change, especially going to one with higher protein, would suggest a liver problem. Severe vomiting or diarrhea after a slow food change, going to a food with more fat in it, would suggest possible pancreas issues.