This was not a specific blood test for shunt. It was a basic blood panel to get more information on the dog's health to see where to go from there. Toby has increased levels of protein, (as opposed to decreased which would be present if shunt because of poor liver function) an increased amount of calcium and some dehydration. The vet has suggested changing his food temporarily to see if his health improves. I am picking up prescription food tomorrow. He also said some of these symptoms could be cause by stomach worms. I just recently bought this puppy and am not sure if he was given de-worm medication or not, so we are giving him that as well. I got this puppy from a friend who purchased it from her friend's neighbor who moved right after. So I have no history for the dog and his family and no way to contact the breeder. I can't confirm if anyone in his line has had liver shunt. I do have problems getting him to drink as much as I feel he should, the vet said the dehydration could cause some of the symptoms, so I have started giving him water through a syringe if he doesn't drink frequently enough. I also started changing the food over since someone told me Beneful is horrible. I went to the Dog Analysis website and found out how horrible it really is. I started switching them to Wellness two or three days ago to see if it would help. I have noticed (i dunno if it's related or just a coincidence) that Toby has had much more energy and no more incidents of the "peeing" (little drops) since I have changed the food. He has been eating well and has seemed to be in much better health. I am going to try the prescription food anyways, if his health still improves or stays better then that will give me info too. I didn't realize the food I was feeding them was so dangerously unhealthy. My other dog Vespa has a sensitive stomach and throws up frequently (not all the time, or "regularly" but enough that it concerns me) so I am hoping changing the food will help her as well with these issues. |