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Becca1 · 06-06-2011, 05:09 AM

We have been dealing with a liver shunt on our 4 year old Yorkie for about 18 months; we had many liver enzyme tests run (high numbers, so began on diet and meds); and then finally ran her BATs - first test extremely high numbers. She also had a liver biopsy which stated a liver shunt was present. Made a couple changes to diet and meds, ran BATs again in May and numbers came back pre - 152 and post 271. She actually has been very "healthy" acting and gained weight. However, we know since her numbers were so high, that the shunt needed to be fixed; plus I wanted to do it while she is in relatively good health. We are close to the University of MO Veterinary School in Columbia, MO; our vet scheduled us an appt - they ran an ultrasound one afternoon and called to say they actually saw the shunt and I was so excited to hear that because I know sometimes these are hard to see and know there was a possibility they would have to do a portogram which is where they open them up and have to run the test to locate the shunt. This turned out to be an extrahepatic shunt, which was again great news for us - it means it is fixable.

The next day they did her surgery and used a cellophane banding which slowly constricts the shunt. I know that many people on here know about the Univ of Tenn and their wonderful doctor that invented the ameroid constricter - I asked our surgeron about this and he said he just preferred to use the cellophan banding. Anyway, she came through with flying colors - except for her horrible looking belly with 18 staples to close her and feeling very uncomfortable, but after 3 days in the hospital she was able to come home with us. He said to expect the same BAT numbers in 6 weeks, a bit lower numbers in 3 months and hopefully "normal" numbers in 6 months - that's how long it takes for this constrictor to close.

I'm giving this update for a few reasons: One, in case anyone is closer to MO than to Tenn - the Vet school and hospital in Columbia is excellent; two a lot of people don't expect some Yorkies to have extra-hepatic shunts, which are the easter ones to fix; and three to let people know that Lexie has had her surgery and is doing well (although somewhat uncomfortable with these staples for a week or so).

If anyone has any question, please feel free to either write me on this forum or PM me. Thanks to everyone on here for their support and please know that if I didn't get the encouragement from people on this forum to go forward, I don't think I would have had the strength to myself and also for the wonderful information I obtained on here to be able to speak to the vet in a knowledageble manner.

06-06-2011, 05:09 AM	#1
Becca1 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Missouri Posts: 152	Lexie update We have been dealing with a liver shunt on our 4 year old Yorkie for about 18 months; we had many liver enzyme tests run (high numbers, so began on diet and meds); and then finally ran her BATs - first test extremely high numbers. She also had a liver biopsy which stated a liver shunt was present. Made a couple changes to diet and meds, ran BATs again in May and numbers came back pre - 152 and post 271. She actually has been very "healthy" acting and gained weight. However, we know since her numbers were so high, that the shunt needed to be fixed; plus I wanted to do it while she is in relatively good health. We are close to the University of MO Veterinary School in Columbia, MO; our vet scheduled us an appt - they ran an ultrasound one afternoon and called to say they actually saw the shunt and I was so excited to hear that because I know sometimes these are hard to see and know there was a possibility they would have to do a portogram which is where they open them up and have to run the test to locate the shunt. This turned out to be an extrahepatic shunt, which was again great news for us - it means it is fixable. The next day they did her surgery and used a cellophane banding which slowly constricts the shunt. I know that many people on here know about the Univ of Tenn and their wonderful doctor that invented the ameroid constricter - I asked our surgeron about this and he said he just preferred to use the cellophan banding. Anyway, she came through with flying colors - except for her horrible looking belly with 18 staples to close her and feeling very uncomfortable, but after 3 days in the hospital she was able to come home with us. He said to expect the same BAT numbers in 6 weeks, a bit lower numbers in 3 months and hopefully "normal" numbers in 6 months - that's how long it takes for this constrictor to close. I'm giving this update for a few reasons: One, in case anyone is closer to MO than to Tenn - the Vet school and hospital in Columbia is excellent; two a lot of people don't expect some Yorkies to have extra-hepatic shunts, which are the easter ones to fix; and three to let people know that Lexie has had her surgery and is doing well (although somewhat uncomfortable with these staples for a week or so). If anyone has any question, please feel free to either write me on this forum or PM me. Thanks to everyone on here for their support and please know that if I didn't get the encouragement from people on this forum to go forward, I don't think I would have had the strength to myself and also for the wonderful information I obtained on here to be able to speak to the vet in a knowledageble manner.