[ladyjane]

First of all, may I recommend that you put her on HW preventatives if you have not already. The fact the vet thought she might have them concerns me....she does not need that to top things off. Heartworms and/or the treatment for them is devastating to dogs not to mention very expensive. HW preventatives are just a few dollars/month.

As for a possible liver shunt, what tests has the vet done that lead him to think there is a shunt? What further tests is he planning?

As for diet: As others have suggested, it is extremely important to have a balanced diet.

Good luck and please let us know what is going on.