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Originally Posted by Russpilot  Sorry, but this statement is not accurate. Sometimes the shunts do not close fully, sometimes secondary shunting can occur, and sometimes, the numbers just never get back to the levels needed to introduce full protein foods and the dog must stay on L/D or H/D food for the rest of their life. They mitigate the symptoms with various drugs to help them keep the ammonia down in their blood. This comes to me directly from the Dr. at the University of Florida that is known as a "Shunt Guru" and who teaches all of the vets in the Florida curriculum how to do shunt surgeries on this breed. Not trying to be argumentative, but I want to be sure that the info on this subject on this forum stays accurate. |
Hi Russpilot -- I believe what I said was accurate. In your original post you indicated your pup would be on a low protein diet for the rest of its life with no mention of any tests to verify the operation was a success or not. I agree that this procedure is not 100% and I have been told that pressure from the shunt closure can actually cause new shunts to form. I also did say "when the bile numbers are normal or close to normal; you can gradually introduce a normal protein diet". The operative word being 'when'. Your pup is only one month out from the operation so I think it is too premature to say your pup would be on a low-protein diet forever. I also said that it may take several months for those bile acid numbers to come down, as the liver needs time to repair itself. I also stand by my statement that dogs cannot sustain a low protein diet very long; they need protein for proper organ function among other things.
I am hoping your pup's surgery was a success and after a few months when you get your tests results back, which I hope are good, you can increase the protein in your dog's diet.
Sorry about the confusion. I read your post to indicate that even with surgery, your pup would remain on low protein forever (without knowing if the surgery worked).