[sammer]

Hi, I was reading the posts from DAB about her little Emma and her upcoming shunt surgery. My Emma is a toy yorkie, 10 months old, 3lbs. 12 oz--she too has never been a big eater, but just a few days ago she was turning everything down.

I took her to the vet and all was fine on exam, but he wanted a urine sameple. I turned her pee pad upside down so the urine would puddle and the next morning brought over the sample.

I was at the hospital having my monthly treatment on my bladder when the vet called and left a message (Thurs aft) that her urine was diluted and there were crystals present--he was leaving for the day and said to call him in the morning.

When I called him, he talked about liver displasia and liver shunts and I have to wait until Monday (had he said on the message to fast her and bring her in the next day-Friday, it would have saved some of this emotional pain of waiting). However she had already eaten a little scrambled egg, so I couldn't bring her for the blood tests.

They are going to take blood fasting Monday morning and then I have to leave her and they will feed her and take another blood test. I don't know how long the tests take to come back, or if they can read them there. I called my original vet (who spayed her in early March---I've moved so I changed vets) and they did do a basic liver check and didn't find anything. She told me to try not to worry too much, that it was not necessarily a death sentence and that some dogs have hepititis (not like human hepititis) and that can be treated with antibiotics.

I also called the breeder and she said there is no sign of liver problems on her genealogy/AKC registration information, nor do any of the puppies of the same litter have any liver problems.

I'm writing for two reasons---One to see if anyone who has been through this can tell me about it---perhaps they saw crystals and it wasn't bad liver disease...or perhaps you are knowledgeable about this. Secondly I want to wish DAB and her Emma the very best. DAB, if you are able (and I'll understand if you're not) can you tell me how your Emma was diagnosed?

Each day my little Emma eats less--I try to cook her foods and feed her from my plate,she makes the effort for me but really doesn't want to eat. She's also sleeping a lot. I know that I won't know anything for sure until after Monday's results, but I'm hoping someone can ease my mind, or inform me better.

Also, if anyone reading this is spiritual, please add my little "monkey" Emma to your prayer list. I don't mean to sound overly melodramatic, but life hasn't been kind to me in many years...Emma is the reason I get up in the morning to face another day--I don't want to even think of losing her.

Thank you,
Sammer