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-   -   Need Advice and I'm a newbie (https://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/general-yorkshire-terrier-discussion/152465-need-advice-im-newbie.html)

chewiesnewmom 11-15-2008 04:45 AM
Need Advice and I'm a newbie
 
Today I am going to pick up our newly adopted Chewie. I do have a few questions concerning Chewie because as a puppy he had a liver shunt that caused seizures. (He is 4 years old now). His former mom said she has had trouble getting him to use the doggie door. (Thats why he's coming home with me) She also says he's mildly brain damaged. Is there any hope that Chewie will adjust and actually become housetrained? Has any one else had experience with brain damage from liver shunts. I am totally new to the Yorkie breed, have had toy breeds before just never a yorkie. Help any advice and suggestions is greatly appreciated.

duckie215 11-15-2008 05:20 AM
First off welcome to Yorkietalk! it's a huge help for all of us new owners.:)

Secondly, Good for you! I am new to the breed but would say never give up hope. With patience and love so much can be accomplished that you never believed. I have a 33 year old brother who has enough brain damage he shouldn't have lived past infancy. I realize its a person not a dog, but there is always hope.

Good luck with your new little furbutt!

chewiesnewmom 11-15-2008 06:14 AM
;)I'm definately not giving up hope...I'm extremely excited about the opportunity, I just want Chewie to not get in trouble here basically. I'm home pretty much all the time so taking him out is no issue. I was mainly wondering if anyone has experience with the after effects that he has been left with from the seizures. Not real sure if he has any other issues other than being unable to use a doggy door.

duckie215 11-15-2008 06:29 AM
Sorry if i sounded like i thought you were:( didn't mean to. haha. Meant to sort of say that I think its quite possible he may learn to go through a doggy door or pee on a pad or whatever. I think that seizures do damage parts of the brain, but I also think that brains are awesome things and "miracles" happen. Hope someone else has the experience you're looking for.

Yorkieluv 11-15-2008 06:58 AM
It's important to monitor dogs who have had liver shunt surgeries because it's possible that weeks, months, or even years down the road, liver issues may resurface. It's important that he not be fed any high protein treats. I would honestly stay away from any foods that contain red meat like beef or lamb, also meats like venison, duck, etc. I would stay on the lower side of protein..Under 22% and preferably vegetarian. If he has 100% normal bloodwork and no symptoms at all, then maybe I would consider chicken as a protein source.
Why do they think there is brain damage? Does the dog circle or head press or act funny sometimes? Is it ever lethargic? Picky eater? If so, it's very likely that it's not brain damage, and that it's just the baby's symptoms resurfacing. Like I said, many times, liver problems come up again for these dogs.
I would run bloodwork on this dog to check everything out first so that you can determine if that's the case. That way, it's totally treatable...

TLC 11-15-2008 08:29 AM
I agree with Yorkieluv.

The first thing I would do is make a trip to the Vet and have the bloodwork done again including Bile Acid Test.

Your posts concern me....You say he had a Liver Shunt as a pup, however you do not say that he had surgery? So do you know if he had surgery???

Please listen to Yorkieluv regarding food and treats, LS dogs really, really need to be monitored and there food and treats are KEY to making sure they live as close to a normal and healthy life as possible.

TeresaM 11-15-2008 08:34 AM
Welcome!! Bless you for welcoming this special guy into your home. Please post pictures as soon as you can, and keep us informed as to how it's going. You may want to look into Belly Bands if his bladder control is truly not there. It will at least help to keep the urine and smell out of the house. :)

chewiesnewmom 11-15-2008 08:43 AM
thanks so much for all your useful knowledge. Chewie did have surgery as a puppy, and now they say everything is fine. He just won't use their doggie door and sometimes acts a bit goofy. His old mom also says he is somewhat of a picky eater, although she does have 2 other dogs that eat whatever Chewie don't. We will definately be taking a trip to the vet to make sure everything is OK. she is also sending me some info on him and his personality. I'm sure everything will be fine but I just want to make sure Chewie has the best care that I can provide. On the lighter note I'm really excited to be adding Chewie to my family. And can't wait to get him home. I pick him up at 2pm today!

TLC 11-15-2008 09:26 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by chewiesnewmom (Post 2332466)
thanks so much for all your useful knowledge. Chewie did have surgery as a puppy, and now they say everything is fine. He just won't use their doggie door and sometimes acts a bit goofy. His old mom also says he is somewhat of a picky eater, although she does have 2 other dogs that eat whatever Chewie don't. We will definately be taking a trip to the vet to make sure everything is OK. she is also sending me some info on him and his personality. I'm sure everything will be fine but I just want to make sure Chewie has the best care that I can provide. On the lighter note I'm really excited to be adding Chewie to my family. And can't wait to get him home. I pick him up at 2pm today!
That's great that he had surgery to repair the shunt. But please understand, it doesn't mean that he is 100% clear for never getting another shunt. He has LS in his genes and like Yorkieluv said above there is a chance for symptoms to resurface and there is even the possibility that he can shoot another shunt. So it is EXTREMELY important that you continue to monitor him with the Vet doing bloodwork and Bile Acid Tests at least every year.

And it is equally IMPORTANT that he remain on special food for Liver Compromised dogs. There is also important supplements and lactulose and antibiotics that he should be taking to aid the liver and help it function without stressing it.

chewiesnewmom 11-15-2008 09:56 AM
Great! Thanks, I had thought that he would need a special diet. And asked the current owner if he was and they said no that he never had any other problems after the surgery, other than he don't eat very much at all. Maybe if he has a liver compromised diet he would eat better. I'll be picking him up here pretty soon, the wait is killing me.

TLC 11-15-2008 10:24 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by chewiesnewmom (Post 2332531)
Great! Thanks, I had thought that he would need a special diet. And asked the current owner if he was and they said no that he never had any other problems after the surgery, other than he don't eat very much at all. Maybe if he has a liver compromised diet he would eat better. I'll be picking him up here pretty soon, the wait is killing me.
That's REALLY sad that his owners have not followed through with his diet and supplements. And right there, you said it "He is a picky eater" ~ That IS a symptom ~ He is probably getting too much protein in his diet, which causes too much ammonia, which causes toxins to build up in his body, which cause him to feel very sick, which causes him to relate that sick feeling with food, hence he doesn't want to eat, because he doesn't want to feel sick.

If he were on the proper diet and proper supplements and lactulose, this combo would actually help him to feel better, would cause less stress on his liver and I bet he would be like a brand new pup!

P.S. I do not believe that he has brain damage, I think rather his liver is having to work too hard to 'try' and combat the toxins building up in his body from the WRONG food.

PLEASE join this group:
DogLiverDisease : Dog Liver Disease

They are a group of LS surgery survivors and some that can't have surgery, some that have MVD or other liver diseases.

P.S.S. My Roxy girl has MVD so I know what it is like to try to do the very best for your liver compromised dog.

Yorkieluv 11-16-2008 02:03 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by chewiesnewmom (Post 2332531)
Great! Thanks, I had thought that he would need a special diet. And asked the current owner if he was and they said no that he never had any other problems after the surgery, other than he don't eat very much at all. Maybe if he has a liver compromised diet he would eat better. I'll be picking him up here pretty soon, the wait is killing me.
Unfortunately, most vets and even owners are not very knowledgable about liver problems, especially post surgery. Problems are slow to show themselves sometimes. Picky eating is a symptom, acting goofy is a symptom, looking like they have brain damage is very likely symptoms of HE (hepatic encephalopathy). You could try Natural Balance Vegetarian food. Since it does not require a prescription, it would be easy to get. If at all possible 4-6 SMALL meals are best to lighten the load on the liver and avoid the pickiness...Having bloodwork done is important in monitoring her condition.


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