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Miranda_Bay · 06-09-2013, 10:38 PM

An update on Bebe, she is doing well. I decided that I would stop giving her the phenobarbital so I weened her off today, she was only on for 4 days. It broke my heart to see her not be herself, she missed her steps, getting on the furniture was tough for her, and just looked awful. Also after reading about liver shunts and how detrimental that medication is to it. I think the dose was too high for her, anyways. She's had no seizures the past 2 days. She has been on Hill's Science Diet l/d and no table scraps or treats. Also she's getting the lactulose 3x a day.

I know that she is not yet diagnosed with liver shunt but I feel that's what it is. She has all the signs; pressing head, seizures only after eating/table scraps, digging in her bed, walking around mindless, gazing, etc. So I firmly believe its a shunt until we have done scintigraphy and if needed portogram tests. Tomorrow is x-rays and coagulation tests.

Today she has been her happy, playful self with only a little bit of gazing after dinner time but then a few minutes later she was back to playing.

I believe that the vaccines that she received a month ago is what triggered the symptoms and brought out seizures. Vaccines are tough on the body and organs as well. Bebe is 3 and a half, I couldn't imagine if we went longer not realizing there is a serious health issue, her life span could have been cut short and would have ever known. Luckily, my vet is testing for it and actually listening to me! So sad that some vets will test other wise and think its other issues like on one of the shunt awareness videos I recently saw the poor yorkie died at age 5 because the vet kept testing for other issues.

Does anyone know if Milk Thistle is helpful? Or possibly any experience with home cooked meals with dogs with liver problems? I know these won't heal the liver but until we can further the diagnose and potential surgery in the future any remedies/advice that helps for the time being would be greatly appreciated.

Also, I will be having the baby yorkie's Bile Acid Tests done in the next few weeks. I could't imagine going through this again.

06-09-2013, 10:38 PM	#19
Miranda_Bay Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2013 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 18	An update on Bebe, she is doing well. I decided that I would stop giving her the phenobarbital so I weened her off today, she was only on for 4 days. It broke my heart to see her not be herself, she missed her steps, getting on the furniture was tough for her, and just looked awful. Also after reading about liver shunts and how detrimental that medication is to it. I think the dose was too high for her, anyways. She's had no seizures the past 2 days. She has been on Hill's Science Diet l/d and no table scraps or treats. Also she's getting the lactulose 3x a day. I know that she is not yet diagnosed with liver shunt but I feel that's what it is. She has all the signs; pressing head, seizures only after eating/table scraps, digging in her bed, walking around mindless, gazing, etc. So I firmly believe its a shunt until we have done scintigraphy and if needed portogram tests. Tomorrow is x-rays and coagulation tests. Today she has been her happy, playful self with only a little bit of gazing after dinner time but then a few minutes later she was back to playing. I believe that the vaccines that she received a month ago is what triggered the symptoms and brought out seizures. Vaccines are tough on the body and organs as well. Bebe is 3 and a half, I couldn't imagine if we went longer not realizing there is a serious health issue, her life span could have been cut short and would have ever known. Luckily, my vet is testing for it and actually listening to me! So sad that some vets will test other wise and think its other issues like on one of the shunt awareness videos I recently saw the poor yorkie died at age 5 because the vet kept testing for other issues. Does anyone know if Milk Thistle is helpful? Or possibly any experience with home cooked meals with dogs with liver problems? I know these won't heal the liver but until we can further the diagnose and potential surgery in the future any remedies/advice that helps for the time being would be greatly appreciated. Also, I will be having the baby yorkie's Bile Acid Tests done in the next few weeks. I could't imagine going through this again.