Question re: liver shunt - YorkieTalk.com Forums

SweetViolet · 03-13-2009, 02:26 AM

Puddin' is as rambunctious as ever...she seems to be a very sturdy, robust specimen of Yorkiehood. But I've been doing some research and the liver shunt problem is present in South African Yorkies, so I wanted to ask veteran Yorkie owners:

1) at what age is it best to have the bile acids test done?

2) should it be done when the dog is asymptomatic or only after you suspect liver shunt?

3) in a robust, highly active dog, what symptoms would I want to look for?

I want Puddin' to live to be a ripe old age (my Foxy is 16 and the Maltese is 12) and I know that in order to do so, her health must be diligently watched. This liver shunt thing is new to me, so I need some help in learning what to watch out for and how to proceed.

Thanks a bunch!

Ellie May · 03-13-2009, 04:14 AM

1. After 20 weeks
2. All Yorkies, symptomatic or not, should be tested according to Dr. Center who developed the bile acids test. It is thought that this will prevent overdiagnosis later
3. No symptoms have to be present with LS or MVD. Some to look for are seizures, head pressing, circles, shaking, drooling, blindness, lethargy, depression, gastrointestinal problems, picky eating, urinary tract infections and certain types of stones, etc.

SweetViolet · 03-13-2009, 07:21 AM

Thanks very much!

If liver shunt is present, how successful is surgical correction? Is the outcome of surgery usually better than diet management or is it the other way around? I don't expect this to be a problem, but if it comes up, I want to know what the options are.

Ellie May · 03-13-2009, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SweetViolet

Thanks very much!

If liver shunt is present, how successful is surgical correction? Is the outcome of surgery usually better than diet management or is it the other way around? I don't expect this to be a problem, but if it comes up, I want to know what the options are.

If she is active and isn't having symptoms, you probably have nothing to worry about. Surgery is somewhere around 85% successful at the best veterinary hospital in the US to have it done. MVD (small shunting throughout the liver) is managed by diet and supplements if needed. Shunts outside of the liver do need to be fixed. It is the best option for most young dogs.

03-13-2009, 02:26 AM	#1
SweetViolet Donating YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Immaterial Posts: 351	Question re: liver shunt Puddin' is as rambunctious as ever...she seems to be a very sturdy, robust specimen of Yorkiehood. But I've been doing some research and the liver shunt problem is present in South African Yorkies, so I wanted to ask veteran Yorkie owners: 1) at what age is it best to have the bile acids test done? 2) should it be done when the dog is asymptomatic or only after you suspect liver shunt? 3) in a robust, highly active dog, what symptoms would I want to look for? I want Puddin' to live to be a ripe old age (my Foxy is 16 and the Maltese is 12) and I know that in order to do so, her health must be diligently watched. This liver shunt thing is new to me, so I need some help in learning what to watch out for and how to proceed. Thanks a bunch! __________________ Sweet Violet Puddin's Mama

03-13-2009, 04:14 AM	#2
Ellie May And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI Posts: 17,928	1. After 20 weeks 2. All Yorkies, symptomatic or not, should be tested according to Dr. Center who developed the bile acids test. It is thought that this will prevent overdiagnosis later 3. No symptoms have to be present with LS or MVD. Some to look for are seizures, head pressing, circles, shaking, drooling, blindness, lethargy, depression, gastrointestinal problems, picky eating, urinary tract infections and certain types of stones, etc. __________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶

03-13-2009, 07:21 AM	#3
SweetViolet Donating YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Immaterial Posts: 351	Thanks very much! If liver shunt is present, how successful is surgical correction? Is the outcome of surgery usually better than diet management or is it the other way around? I don't expect this to be a problem, but if it comes up, I want to know what the options are. __________________ Sweet Violet Puddin's Mama