liver shunt

[d-bo]

Originally Posted by gracielove

From what I have read many of these genetic defects do not always show up when they are young puppies. I am amazed that your vet did not check into this sooner since she has had issues right along. As I mentioned it was one of the first things my vet mentioned with Gracie.

These breeders make me so angry. They know that people fall in love with these adorable little babies so easily and are taking advantage of it big time. It is an easy buck for them and a giant heartache for the people they sell to. I know many people who have purchased from backyard breeders and been lucky enough to get a fairly healthy pup get upset with those who crusade so hard against bybs but when you and your little one are the victims the light goes on quickly. It sounds like the place you got her from was a nightmare. I know it seems like you are rescuing them from an awful situation but it is also keeping that greeder in business.

The thing to concentrate on now is getting you baby the best care possible. I think someone stated that a regular vet is not the one to deal with this. She really needs someone who has a good record of successful treatment of liver shunt. Keep researching.

yes I will and I actually took her to my moms vet for the shots, which is the one who found this, but I will have these results transferred to her normal vet to decide where to go from here, I have always trusted her and she helped us at the beginning, I just didn't think it would hurt to get her shots where my mom goes since we have our little ones on the same schedule and I did take copies of her shots to her normal vet.
I had never bought a pet before, so I really was ignorant to the situation that I was contributing to. I really did feel she was better off with me.

[Micah my love]

Originally Posted by d-bo

does he have this, if so did he have to have surgery or medication?

Micah has MVD he went to UT twice, and had testing done including a liver biopsy, you are so close to UT, I highly reccomend them, Micah is on a low protein diet and seems to be doing fine.

He never showed any signs except for being small, I had took him to his vet for testing because i had hoped to use him for breeding one day, he was also neutered while at UT...I am betting that your little one had to many vaccines together that caused the convulsions...the first time she had them could have been caused by having all the worms

[d-bo]

Originally Posted by Micah my love

Micah has MVD he went to UT twice, and had testing done including a liver biopsy, you are so close to UT, I highly reccomend them, Micah is on a low protein diet and seems to be doing fine.

He never showed any signs except for being small, I had took him to his vet for testing because i had hoped to use him for breeding one day, he was also neutered while at UT...I am betting that your little one had to many vaccines together that caused the convulsions...the first time she had them could have been caused by having all the worms

that's what I was hoping, I called this morning to get the papers of her result, she asked if I wanted to take her to UT for an ultrasound, I guess that's what's next. What is MVD? is it the same type of thing. I am kind of afraid to read to much because I am easily upset with to much information and end up thinking the worst. I am happy to read that he is ok. I guess diet plays a big part in all of this.

[d-bo]

I took Daisy to her original vet yesterday to have her bile acid test repeated since the first one was so high, the results came back and the non fasting one was high again. To continue testing and surgery is out of my financial situation, since all indications lead to liver shunt we are going to work with diet and medication. I feel completely helpless and like I am just watching her die, I haven't stopped crying in two days. Just looking at her breaks my heart. The people around me have no idea how devastating this is to me.

[Telea]

I very much understand your feelings and also the fact that the surgery is out of your budget. I had the same problem when my Mia showed signs and tested with high bile acids. I couldn't afford all of the expensive costs either. I went with low protein diet and supplements, I had a very good vet that was willing to try anything that I read about that might help. We did preventive antibiotics and also gave her lactilouse before or after she ate. Those were things that I learned about on a yorkshire terrier website/support group that was primarily about liver shunt. She started at 3 years old and because of test results we assumed that she had MVD. With this type you have multiple shunts through out the liver and the surgery doesn't work on this type. All you can do is diet and supplements. There is one other test called a protein c test that if it comes back high this will most likely tell you that it is multivascular or MVD. I did finally loose her at 6 years old to seizures last September, it broke my heart and I will never forget her. But all of the good times and memories are very precious to me and she will be forever in my heart. Do lots of reading and find a good vet that is willing to work with you. You might even join the Yorkie group for babies with liver shunt, you will learn a lot and they are good support. Hang in there. She may live a long good life, it just may take a little more work and special help from you, but you can do it. God bless you and your little fur baby.

[Telea]

Go to yahoo and search for Liver Shunt & MVD/HMD Support, there is a place to click and join the group.

[d-bo]

Originally Posted by Telea

I very much understand your feelings and also the fact that the surgery is out of your budget. I had the same problem when my Mia showed signs and tested with high bile acids. I couldn't afford all of the expensive costs either. I went with low protein diet and supplements, I had a very good vet that was willing to try anything that I read about that might help. We did preventive antibiotics and also gave her lactilouse before or after she ate. Those were things that I learned about on a yorkshire terrier website/support group that was primarily about liver shunt. She started at 3 years old and because of test results we assumed that she had MVD. With this type you have multiple shunts through out the liver and the surgery doesn't work on this type. All you can do is diet and supplements. There is one other test called a protein c test that if it comes back high this will most likely tell you that it is multivascular or MVD. I did finally loose her at 6 years old to seizures last September, it broke my heart and I will never forget her. But all of the good times and memories are very precious to me and she will be forever in my heart. Do lots of reading and find a good vet that is willing to work with you. You might even join the Yorkie group for babies with liver shunt, you will learn a lot and they are good support. Hang in there. She may live a long good life, it just may take a little more work and special help from you, but you can do it. God bless you and your little fur baby.

Thank you for sharing and for the understanding and support. I am sorry for your loss. I am looking for the support websites to find out as much as I can, I guess I just have to pull myself together and do the best I can for her, again thank you for the information.

[LunasMomma]

Originally Posted by d-bo

I took Daisy to her original vet yesterday to have her bile acid test repeated since the first one was so high, the results came back and the non fasting one was high again. To continue testing and surgery is out of my financial situation, since all indications lead to liver shunt we are going to work with diet and medication. I feel completely helpless and like I am just watching her die, I haven't stopped crying in two days. Just looking at her breaks my heart. The people around me have no idea how devastating this is to me.

Please at least get a firm diagnosis through the proper tests. Then go from there. It very well could be the type that can only be managed with diet, as surgery doesn't work for that type. If she does have an operable shunt, her quality of life would be immensely better if she had the surgery. I know it's expensive (and scary)! Care Credit is out there. Any family or friends that could lend you the money?

Praying for your baby

[d-bo]

Originally Posted by LunasMomma

Please at least get a firm diagnosis through the proper tests. Then go from there. It very well could be the type that can only be managed with diet, as surgery doesn't work for that type. If she does have an operable shunt, her quality of life would be immensely better if she had the surgery. I know it's expensive (and scary)! Care Credit is out there. Any family or friends that could lend you the money?

Praying for your baby

honestly, I am just not getting a lot of support with this.

[LunasMomma]

Originally Posted by d-bo

honestly, I am just not getting a lot of support with this.

Do you mean from your friends or family? If so, I'm so sorry. What about your baby's breeder?

[TLC]

Originally Posted by d-bo

honestly, I am just not getting a lot of support with this.

Can you tell us what her Pre and Post numbers are?

[d-bo]

Originally Posted by LunasMomma

Do you mean from your friends or family? If so, I'm so sorry. What about your baby's breeder?

friends and family

[d-bo]

Originally Posted by TLC

Can you tell us what her Pre and Post numbers are?

78 - 83 second time 4 - 80

[Telea]

You haven't done anything wrong, you are just like everyone on here that bought their first pet, Yorkie, and many of us were not educated about the breed. Yorkies are 40 percent more likely to have liver shunt then any other breed, it can happen with other animals also.

Talk to your vet and change her diet right away, that is essential. Liver shunt babies can not handle the high protein in most dog foods. They have different brands dry and canned. The l/d diet is important as are the liver supplements that can help with the build up of toxins in their blood and help control more damage to the liver. Ask about the Lactalous, it keeps there stool from being hard and also breaks down the toxins when they eat. A very small amount is all you use and it is not very expensive. You have to get it at a people pharmacy, so you need a prescription from the vet. You can also feed a small amount of boiled chicken & rice, cottage cheese, yogurt, veggies for treats. The key is small amounts and very little protein.

I don't know everything but I lived the life with a MVD baby, and I am here for you. I had to learn, you can p.m. me anytime. Don't take what others say to heart no one feels your pain or knows your situation. Sending a prayer and a big hug to you.

[Lil Sis]

dont give up.. please apply for care credit. I just had a dog that had spinal issues and thought we would have to have surgery. I have had a few difficult years and money is an issue.. I got the care credit.. what a relief!!

Also.. this is a very last resort... if you can pay for the surgery and it means she will not live you may give her to a rescue that would do the surgery. I know that would be the hardest thing in the world but at least the baby would live.

Sending prays that she has the version that is easily controlled by diet!!