I guess the shunt bypasses the liver, it normally goes through. Our little batman seemed retarded - some of the time. I thought maybe he had a neurological problem. The vet kept saying he was fine. He didn't gain weight for the first 4 days of his life. He was much slower than the rest of the pups, we just thought he was the runt. As he grew, he would stagger sometimes, he would act like it hurt to be held, sometimes, trying to jerk out of your hands.

The night before he died (saturday), he was coughing, my vet said to give him cough syrup. At 4 am he was staggering a little, I called every vet in the phone book until I got someone to call me back and talk to me. She met me at her office right away. His temp was down a little and his oxygen was down a little. She started calling emergency clinics to find one (an hour away) that could do a scope. It was too late for him. They worked on him for 4 hours, he stopped breathing, they suctioned his lungs and sucked out blood.

My new vet says that if a puppy is retarded it is 'all the time'. I guess what I really am trying to say is we knew for 4 months that something was wrong with him. It was obvious to everyone. I would say 'well, he can find his food and water, so he's ok.' He did not die of the liver shunt, but I think if we had known and been able to control it, he would possibly not have gotten sick.

Ceasar is adorable. He is a cutie.


Laura,
What do you mean like acting "retarded"? By the way Im sorry for your loss.

Thanks.
I guess - as in retarded growth, slower than the rest of his siblings. He actually walked differently, maybe sorta tumbled sideways if he tried to run, he would almost sling out of your hands when you held him. I had to be very careful to warn anyone who held him. Does that make sense?

I am really just trying to say that it was obvious that something was wrong. But not all the time.

I think if you read up on liver shunt, it is usually right after they eat as the protiens affect their nervous system, or something. You should put them on a special diet.

I had no idea about liver shunt, never heard of it, but I had researched neurological problems and never saw anything of it. If anyone has a dog that acts wrong, it would be worth a read.

He's a very cute pet boy. My guess would be she thought to use him in her breeding program and then changed her mind when she saw him develop as more pet quality. Down ear is a disqualifier for many breeders. It happens often since it is difficult to tell how they will turn out until they're older and in the process you got a very nice pet at a great price. Consider yourself very lucky and enjoy him! The silver in his head should clear as he gets older.

There are different prices on pups. It may have to do with the quality- breeder may have too many males under foot will drop the cost to find a good home for the kid. A particular litter may have a better pedigree then another. The size of the puppy may be a factor. A breeder may have found out that they are selling puppies below the going rate in their area. I have had other breeders tell me I am $500.00 to $1,000.00 to low on the price I had charged for Show/breeding stock. And of course their is the demand for our breed which makes some breeders charge more.

Just some thoughts as to why.