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MomToAria · 10-21-2005, 11:02 PM

Hello Everyone! I just found this site and I am very excited to join! I have a 6 month old baby named Aria. We got her when she was about 10 weeks old. This is my first Yorkie and she is so wonderful

The main reason I started looking up Yorkie information is because we were just told that she may have a liver shunt or some type of liver defect. Of course I am devastated and want to do whatever possible to make her better. Thing is we didn't notice any symptoms...she is very energetic, has a healthy appetite, hasn't had any type of attacks (thank goodness), etc. She went in for blood work and they told us they needed to do more tests because her liver enzymes were slightly elevated....they ran more tests and sure enough they feel something is abnormal with her liver so they want to schedule an ultrasound and a needle biopsy. They said it is mild but I am so worried and have been trying to find out as much information as possible on the internet. If anyone has any comforting or important information I should know, please share. Since we got Aria she has had quite a bit of health problems....parasites, ear mites, an episode of hypoglycemia, puppy acne and we really trust our vet but get afraid that they could be taking advantage of our willingness to do anything for Aria (if that makes sense). Please let me know if I should be concerned, what steps I should maybe take, should I get a second opinion? Any help would be greatly appreciated.....I am a wreck over here wondering if my little baby will be okay

Thanks!!!!

Connie · 10-21-2005, 11:35 PM

Hello and welcome to YT! I'm so sorry to hear your little one is having some health problems. I have never heard of needle biopsy for diagnosing liver shunt. Did they do the bile acid test...where they fast the dog and take blood and then feed the dog and take more blood? The bile acid test is normally the one they do to decide if it's liver shunt.

I'm sure you will get lot's of replies here. There have been members here with liver shunt babies...that have or will have surgeries for the shunt, and there are many happy ending stories. I will say a prayer for Aria and you! It is such a scary thing to hear a possible diagnosis of liver shunt! Thank goodness they've come a long way in treating them successfully! Best wishes!

MomToAria · 10-21-2005, 11:43 PM

Thank you so much Connie. They did do the bile acid tests yesterday and the results came back today. They said they were unable to say if it is a liver shunt due to the mild case so that is why they want to do the ultrasound and biopsy. The way they explained it is that while they conduct the ultrasound they look for any abnormalities and if they find something then they use a needle to get a small sample of the abnormal area. They are not a 100% sure they will be able to find out what is wrong due to the "small" sample. Thank you for your prayers they really mean a lot and I am looking forward to hearing some stories.

dianne · 10-22-2005, 01:02 AM

Hello a warm welcome to you and aria.Im sorry you are going through this worry but we are a very supportive bunch here.I have prudence,she is 7 months old.

alaskayorkie · 10-22-2005, 02:10 AM

Welcome to YT. It sounds like you've had more than your share of health problems. I think you'll find some great advice here when everybody wakes up. Unfortunately, I'm a new Yorkie owner and have no answers for you.

Good to have you here!

Bentley&BitsysMom · 10-22-2005, 03:00 AM

Hi and welcome! I am glad you found this site too and am confident that there are people on here who can offer you advice.

Kelz · 10-22-2005, 06:47 AM

Welcome to YT!!

eensor · 10-22-2005, 06:52 AM

Welcome to YT!!! I'd definetely get two opinions on the diagnosis and treatment! I'm sure your baby will be ok!

chachi · 10-22-2005, 06:55 AM

Hello and welcome to yorkietalk!

6yorkies · 10-22-2005, 08:18 AM

hi.. I too am a newbie.. I also have a liver shunt survior.. I thought he had hypoglycemia.. but test showed liver shunt... i did a lot of reseach and even though he did not have some of the more severe symptoms i went with the surgery... today he is better than ever... but it was scary till after the surgery

babi1542 · 10-22-2005, 08:25 AM

Welcome To Yt!

mustangbee · 10-22-2005, 09:39 AM

Welcome to YT!!!!
I'm sure you will get great advice on here.
I'm sending hugs to Aria, I hope everything works
out for her, and she will be very healthy soon.
(((((((Aria)))))))

MomToAria · 10-22-2005, 12:50 PM

Thanks to all of you for all the warm welcomes and best wishes for Aria

10-21-2005, 11:02 PM	#1
MomToAria Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: California Posts: 167	Newbie Hello Everyone! I just found this site and I am very excited to join! I have a 6 month old baby named Aria. We got her when she was about 10 weeks old. This is my first Yorkie and she is so wonderful The main reason I started looking up Yorkie information is because we were just told that she may have a liver shunt or some type of liver defect. Of course I am devastated and want to do whatever possible to make her better. Thing is we didn't notice any symptoms...she is very energetic, has a healthy appetite, hasn't had any type of attacks (thank goodness), etc. She went in for blood work and they told us they needed to do more tests because her liver enzymes were slightly elevated....they ran more tests and sure enough they feel something is abnormal with her liver so they want to schedule an ultrasound and a needle biopsy. They said it is mild but I am so worried and have been trying to find out as much information as possible on the internet. If anyone has any comforting or important information I should know, please share. Since we got Aria she has had quite a bit of health problems....parasites, ear mites, an episode of hypoglycemia, puppy acne and we really trust our vet but get afraid that they could be taking advantage of our willingness to do anything for Aria (if that makes sense). Please let me know if I should be concerned, what steps I should maybe take, should I get a second opinion? Any help would be greatly appreciated.....I am a wreck over here wondering if my little baby will be okay Thanks!!!!

10-21-2005, 11:43 PM	#3
MomToAria Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: California Posts: 167	Thank you so much Connie. They did do the bile acid tests yesterday and the results came back today. They said they were unable to say if it is a liver shunt due to the mild case so that is why they want to do the ultrasound and biopsy. The way they explained it is that while they conduct the ultrasound they look for any abnormalities and if they find something then they use a needle to get a small sample of the abnormal area. They are not a 100% sure they will be able to find out what is wrong due to the "small" sample. Thank you for your prayers they really mean a lot and I am looking forward to hearing some stories. __________________ Lysha ~ Aria & Addaley's Momma

10-22-2005, 01:02 AM	#4
dianne YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,002	Hello a warm welcome to you and aria.Im sorry you are going through this worry but we are a very supportive bunch here.I have prudence,she is 7 months old. __________________ Dianne & Prudence

10-22-2005, 02:10 AM	#5
alaskayorkie Banning Thread Dictator Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Anchorage Posts: 30,843 Blog Entries: 57	Welcome to YT. It sounds like you've had more than your share of health problems. I think you'll find some great advice here when everybody wakes up. Unfortunately, I'm a new Yorkie owner and have no answers for you. Good to have you here! __________________ Mike ~ Doting Dad to Jillie, Harper, Molly, Cooper, Eddie (RIP), Lucy (RIP), Rusty (RIP) and Jack (RIP). Check us out on YouTube

10-22-2005, 03:00 AM	#6
Bentley&BitsysMom Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Charlotte Posts: 2,836	Hi and welcome! I am glad you found this site too and am confident that there are people on here who can offer you advice. __________________ Michelle BENTLEY, BITSY, CHARLIE, & BAILEY'S Mommy Dogster Pagehttp://www.dogster.com/?145000

10-21-2005, 11:35 PM	#2
Connie Loved by Maddie & Libby Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: North Dakota Posts: 10,732	Hello and welcome to YT! I'm so sorry to hear your little one is having some health problems. I have never heard of needle biopsy for diagnosing liver shunt. Did they do the bile acid test...where they fast the dog and take blood and then feed the dog and take more blood? The bile acid test is normally the one they do to decide if it's liver shunt. I'm sure you will get lot's of replies here. There have been members here with liver shunt babies...that have or will have surgeries for the shunt, and there are many happy ending stories. I will say a prayer for Aria and you! It is such a scary thing to hear a possible diagnosis of liver shunt! Thank goodness they've come a long way in treating them successfully! Best wishes!

10-22-2005, 06:47 AM	#7
Kelz YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Yukon, ok Posts: 2,885	Welcome to YT!! __________________ Kelly- momma to Parker, Star,Zoe, & Kegan.. RIP Silly Lily OK Yorkie Rescue - http://okyorkierescue.org

10-22-2005, 06:52 AM	#8
eensor YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Effingham, Illinois Posts: 2,535	Welcome to YT!!! I'd definetely get two opinions on the diagnosis and treatment! I'm sure your baby will be ok! __________________ I'd rather be in Mexico!

10-22-2005, 06:55 AM	#9
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	Hello and welcome to yorkietalk! __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

10-22-2005, 08:18 AM	#10
6yorkies YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: tampa,fl Posts: 4	newbie hi.. I too am a newbie.. I also have a liver shunt survior.. I thought he had hypoglycemia.. but test showed liver shunt... i did a lot of reseach and even though he did not have some of the more severe symptoms i went with the surgery... today he is better than ever... but it was scary till after the surgery

10-22-2005, 08:25 AM	#11
babi1542 Double Trouble Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: FLORIDA Posts: 4,658	Welcome To Yt! __________________ PEBBLES AND SASHA MY DOGS ARE NOT SPOILED...I'M JUST WELL TRAINED!

10-22-2005, 09:39 AM	#12
mustangbee Donating YT 9000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: North Carolina :) Posts: 10,616	Welcome to YT!!!! I'm sure you will get great advice on here. I'm sending hugs to Aria, I hope everything works out for her, and she will be very healthy soon. (((((((Aria))))))) __________________ Friends are God's way of apologizing for our relatives. "Love & Support Our YT Members" Gina & Princess Member of the SSLS

10-22-2005, 12:50 PM	#13
MomToAria Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: California Posts: 167	Thanks to all of you for all the warm welcomes and best wishes for Aria __________________ Lysha ~ Aria & Addaley's Momma