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sammer · 05-13-2009, 10:26 AM

Hi and thanks again for all of you who posted and/or e-mailed me regarding my questions on liver dysfunction and shunts. I'm sorry it has taken so long to post an update (really not much new news), but I've been frantic with worry for her.

As you may remember, Emma is a 10 1/2 month old, 3lb. 12 oz toy yorkie who wasn't eating well. I took her to the vet and her exam was unremarkable. Her urine culture however had crystals in it. Bear in mind as I write this that the vet has told me so many conflicting things and at first acted like she was dying, now acts like it's no big deal. (am changing vets at the same practice-my vet has been on sabbatical teaching, but is now back. I trust him).When I asked the vet what kind of crystals, he said I'd have to wait until the blood test (fasting, then after feeding) was back to discuss it. He phoned me and didn't even tell me her numbers until I asked.

Anyway, her fasting number was 45 and her second number was 63.5. He said the crystals were "urate" crystals. He also said that because her first number was so high, it was an indication of a shunt. She's scheduled on May 18th to have an ultrasound (however, I've read and been told that all ultrasounds do not show shunts---any feedback here?)

The vet first told me not to change her diet, then after I read some of the posts here and did more research, I knew it would help her feel better. He told me lots of carbs and "good" proteins--when I initially asked for a list of good proteins he told me liver! I've read a lot about diet now and it says NO organ meat and red meat causes the most ammonia. No wonder I was confused and thank goodness for this forum.

Anyway, Emma was not eating--she turned her head at everything I tried (and believe me, I bought every food I could find listed). She finally started eating about 4 days ago---she won't eat the prescription diet from the vet (they gave me kidney diet and said it would work for liver). She's now eating some fresh veggies--I found she likes crunchy things--baby carrots, fresh green beans, pea pods. She'll also eat some oatmeal but won't touch other things she used to love to share with me. She eats swiss cheese (can't get her to do cottage cheese, etc.) She is eating 1-2 Kong's full of little Ceasers food--I am giving her the chicken. Even before she got sick she wouldn't eat from a bowl but would eat her Kong. I know this is not the best thing to be giving her, but she's got to eat and was finicky before and now is even more finicky.

I'm praying that the vet made a mistake---I wonder if I should take her to another veterinary practice and have the liver fasting/feed test again. I also don't know if I should do the ultrasound ($300.---I don't care what it costs if it helps her, but if it's something ineffective--I'd rather spend the money on a second opinion).

She seems to be eating "enough", drinking her water (but less than before, before she was drinking 1 cup a day), her bowels are fine and she is sleeping a normal amount (for her) and is playing and fetching and chewing on her toys and chewies.

I'm at a loss here. OH and I bought the supplements the vet recommended (he said it was a mixture of Sam-e and milkweed thistle). It's called Denamarin and she takes one a day on an empty stomach. He's also having me give her about 1/4 a pill of Pepcid AC every other day. (any thoughts here?)

I'm sorry if I sound like I don't know what's going on.. I would do anything for this little baby. Ironically I have a MAED and should be able to figure this out, but I also have agoraphobia and deal with anxiety and depression, so this has thrown me for a loop and I'm having trouble absorbing the information in the more technical articles.

Any suggestions or feedback is deeply appreciated. Prayers for Emma are readily accepted as well. : )

Sammer

05-13-2009, 10:26 AM	#1
sammer Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: VT Posts: 32	UPDATE on Sammer's Emma Hi and thanks again for all of you who posted and/or e-mailed me regarding my questions on liver dysfunction and shunts. I'm sorry it has taken so long to post an update (really not much new news), but I've been frantic with worry for her. As you may remember, Emma is a 10 1/2 month old, 3lb. 12 oz toy yorkie who wasn't eating well. I took her to the vet and her exam was unremarkable. Her urine culture however had crystals in it. Bear in mind as I write this that the vet has told me so many conflicting things and at first acted like she was dying, now acts like it's no big deal. (am changing vets at the same practice-my vet has been on sabbatical teaching, but is now back. I trust him).When I asked the vet what kind of crystals, he said I'd have to wait until the blood test (fasting, then after feeding) was back to discuss it. He phoned me and didn't even tell me her numbers until I asked. Anyway, her fasting number was 45 and her second number was 63.5. He said the crystals were "urate" crystals. He also said that because her first number was so high, it was an indication of a shunt. She's scheduled on May 18th to have an ultrasound (however, I've read and been told that all ultrasounds do not show shunts---any feedback here?) The vet first told me not to change her diet, then after I read some of the posts here and did more research, I knew it would help her feel better. He told me lots of carbs and "good" proteins--when I initially asked for a list of good proteins he told me liver! I've read a lot about diet now and it says NO organ meat and red meat causes the most ammonia. No wonder I was confused and thank goodness for this forum. Anyway, Emma was not eating--she turned her head at everything I tried (and believe me, I bought every food I could find listed). She finally started eating about 4 days ago---she won't eat the prescription diet from the vet (they gave me kidney diet and said it would work for liver). She's now eating some fresh veggies--I found she likes crunchy things--baby carrots, fresh green beans, pea pods. She'll also eat some oatmeal but won't touch other things she used to love to share with me. She eats swiss cheese (can't get her to do cottage cheese, etc.) She is eating 1-2 Kong's full of little Ceasers food--I am giving her the chicken. Even before she got sick she wouldn't eat from a bowl but would eat her Kong. I know this is not the best thing to be giving her, but she's got to eat and was finicky before and now is even more finicky. I'm praying that the vet made a mistake---I wonder if I should take her to another veterinary practice and have the liver fasting/feed test again. I also don't know if I should do the ultrasound ($300.---I don't care what it costs if it helps her, but if it's something ineffective--I'd rather spend the money on a second opinion). She seems to be eating "enough", drinking her water (but less than before, before she was drinking 1 cup a day), her bowels are fine and she is sleeping a normal amount (for her) and is playing and fetching and chewing on her toys and chewies. I'm at a loss here. OH and I bought the supplements the vet recommended (he said it was a mixture of Sam-e and milkweed thistle). It's called Denamarin and she takes one a day on an empty stomach. He's also having me give her about 1/4 a pill of Pepcid AC every other day. (any thoughts here?) I'm sorry if I sound like I don't know what's going on.. I would do anything for this little baby. Ironically I have a MAED and should be able to figure this out, but I also have agoraphobia and deal with anxiety and depression, so this has thrown me for a loop and I'm having trouble absorbing the information in the more technical articles. Any suggestions or feedback is deeply appreciated. Prayers for Emma are readily accepted as well. : ) Sammer