From the other thread: His wieght is 2-3 lbs very small he has had the ensyme tests were high we had the x-rays with the barium all showed these to be off and they told us he had a liver shunt and needed to go to university hospital for surgery. I called they told me the price and that is way out of my reach right now. I just got the 900. in vet bill paid for the testing, He is 4and a half months old Has all the main systems but siezers never had any yet. just acts lost all the time no energy likes to hide his face LOST LOOK
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Being that you caught this when he is young is a good thing and he would probably thrive if he were to have his shunt closed. His symptoms are being cause by the toxins (from food) that his liver can not filter and process bc the shunt is allowing those toxins to bypass his liver and go into his blood stream to his organs and brain, cause him to act 'odd'
LS babies should eat about 6 small meals spread out through out the whole day. He should have his last small meal late at night, they suggest not letting more than 10 hrs go by at night from his last meal to his first meal.
Hills L/D wet or RC HC 14 dry (with added water)are both Rx foods that are recommended for LS babies. Small pieces of romaine lettuce (bc it has Vit K) small pieces of apple bits no skin (for the pectin for his tummy) and small pieces of watermelon are recommended as treats - NOTHING ELSE
He should be on Lactulose - this is a supplement that binds to the build up of toxins in his body and eliminates them thru poo - He should be pooping at least 2 to 3 times a day and they should be like soft ice cream.
There are also other liver aiding supplements as well, but it seems that surgery would be the best at this moment. U of Tenn and Cornell Univer (upstate NY) are both leaders in LS research and are by far the most advanced, doing lots and lots of LS surgeries per week.
Can you apply for Care Credit or open a special credit card for his LS surgery?
Also, here is a Yahoo Group dedicated to Liver disease:
DogLiverDisease : Dog Liver Disease