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TessAnne1970 · 06-23-2016, 01:56 PM

Hi! My miniature Yorkie was diagnosed with a liver shunt at 4 months. She was walking relentlessly the perimeter of our room, unseeing, crying if you picked her up, drooling. She had no idea who I was, she was temporarily blind and confused.

We give her an antibiotic and lactulose to counteract the ammonia that protein produces in her gut since the liver shunt bypasses the liver with some of her food. Otherwise, ammonia goes straight to her brain and heart causing something of a zombie effect. It was so frightening.

I have her on a low protein diet. I give her 1 t. of vegetarian dog food (low protein), 1 t. of pumpkin puree (helps keep the medication from hurting her stomach) and 1 t. of her regular kibble. I add a pea size dollop of vitamin paste and a pea size swirl of honey, as liver shunt yorkies tend to exhibit hypoglycemic symptoms. We've been able to cut her medication down from three times a day to two, with less lactulose in each dosage. But medication is a temporary solution.

Surgery is her only hope. Otherwise she would eventually die from liver failure. We have a bet in Little Rock, AR that is the only one who performs this surgery. He does a dye test and an ultrasound to identify the precise blood vessel that is causing the problem. He then puts a clip on it....minimally invasive surgery, no exploratory surgery because they know exactly where the vein is. The clip slowly tightens to give the liver time to adjust to the new blood flow. It has a 98 percent success rate. The remaining 2 percent had difficulties with anesthesia.

However, after the dye test and the ultrasound, if he doesn't locate the exact blood vessel, he won't operate.

I've spoken to several of his former clients who were very happy with the progress and health of their dogs after this procedure.

The only problem is the cost of the surgery is pretty high because of the tests they run. I have to save $3700 - $4000 to be able to have the surgery done. Single mom. Two teens in college. It isn't going to be easy. Garage sale next month and putting a used car up for sale.

But she is worth it. My brother was murdered in August of last year and I didn't realize how heavy the grief was getting. She's been my therapy animal and I don't know what I'd do without her.

Hope you find your yorkie doesn't need the surgery.
Prayers!

06-23-2016, 01:56 PM	#10
TessAnne1970 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: arkansas Posts: 1	Liver Shunt Diet Hi! My miniature Yorkie was diagnosed with a liver shunt at 4 months. She was walking relentlessly the perimeter of our room, unseeing, crying if you picked her up, drooling. She had no idea who I was, she was temporarily blind and confused. We give her an antibiotic and lactulose to counteract the ammonia that protein produces in her gut since the liver shunt bypasses the liver with some of her food. Otherwise, ammonia goes straight to her brain and heart causing something of a zombie effect. It was so frightening. I have her on a low protein diet. I give her 1 t. of vegetarian dog food (low protein), 1 t. of pumpkin puree (helps keep the medication from hurting her stomach) and 1 t. of her regular kibble. I add a pea size dollop of vitamin paste and a pea size swirl of honey, as liver shunt yorkies tend to exhibit hypoglycemic symptoms. We've been able to cut her medication down from three times a day to two, with less lactulose in each dosage. But medication is a temporary solution. Surgery is her only hope. Otherwise she would eventually die from liver failure. We have a bet in Little Rock, AR that is the only one who performs this surgery. He does a dye test and an ultrasound to identify the precise blood vessel that is causing the problem. He then puts a clip on it....minimally invasive surgery, no exploratory surgery because they know exactly where the vein is. The clip slowly tightens to give the liver time to adjust to the new blood flow. It has a 98 percent success rate. The remaining 2 percent had difficulties with anesthesia. However, after the dye test and the ultrasound, if he doesn't locate the exact blood vessel, he won't operate. I've spoken to several of his former clients who were very happy with the progress and health of their dogs after this procedure. The only problem is the cost of the surgery is pretty high because of the tests they run. I have to save $3700 - $4000 to be able to have the surgery done. Single mom. Two teens in college. It isn't going to be easy. Garage sale next month and putting a used car up for sale. But she is worth it. My brother was murdered in August of last year and I didn't realize how heavy the grief was getting. She's been my therapy animal and I don't know what I'd do without her. Hope you find your yorkie doesn't need the surgery. Prayers!