I'm so sorry to read about your baby...If the vet truly suspects liver shunt, unfortunately, a/d is one of the worst foods for him. It is approx. 40% protein (if it's the canned) on a dry matter basis and contains the worst types of protein for him: liver and animal proteins.
If your baby does have liver problems, the reason he is such a picky eater is that food (particularly animal proteins) make him feel sick and he associates that sick feeling with the food. Animal proteins cause a build-up of ammonia which enters the bloodstream and causes the neurological symptoms that you are seeing along with lethargy, picky eating, etc.
If you can, ask for the canned L/D instead, not the dry because it contains ethoxyquin which is a carcinogen.
If the shunt is operable and you decide to have the surgery, University of Tennessee is pretty cheap compared to most other places; otherwise, you might try going to another vet school.
Michigan State also does the surgery for pretty good prices and are very experienced as well.
Maybe your baby's condition would be better managed through diet and meds. It's hard to say without knowing if it's extrahepatic, intrahepatic, MVD, or some combo....
Prayers for you and your baby...
__________________ Miko  's his Mommy |