liver shunt

[d-bo]

I got a call from the vet today and told me that Daisy's blood results indicate that she has a liver shunt and that it is very common in Yorkshires, so now we have to do blood tests every 6 mo and possible medication, or surgery depending on the following results, she has had seizures and I didn't know why, which took us to the vet to begin with, so since she said it happens primarily in Yorkies I was wondering if anyone else has heard this?

[Teresa Ford]

We have many threads (posts) about liver shunt disease. Check them out and read up so that you can make good decisions for your little girl. God bless you, you are both in my prayers this week.

[DBlain]

from your post I would say her numbers must not be very high or your vet must not be very good. Liver shunt is not something you just test for every six months it is a serious condition that often needs expensive surgery. There are also meds that can help with eliminating the toxins from her that the liver is failing to do. He is correct it is something that has become common in yorkies and it has a lot to do with the boom in yorkie breeders that are looking to make a lot of money selling this small breed. This is something you should contact your breeder about or others that have bought from your them. If thet they are good breeders they will stop breeding the pair that your dog came from. I don't know that much about the disease only that it is serious, expensive to treat and there is a lot of information on here and on the internet about it. There are also a lot of people on YT that have dogs with it and many have had the surgery. If I was you I would start goggling everything about it and learn how to read the lab work so you will know for yourself how severe her condition is. Make sure every time a test is done that you get a copy of it, people often wind up going to a specialist or a university vet school so it is good not to have to beg your vet for the records. Is her hair thin and is she very thin those are signs as well. So sorry to hear this because it seems like your dog is only about 7 months old and she is a doll. Good luck, she is in my prayers

[gemy]

In the Sick and Emergency Forum; you will find lots of information about liver shunt.

Here is what concerns me about your post and the details (minimal) that you have offered. She has had seizures already...at only 7mths old. That is not a good sign at all.

My best advice is to go now to the experts, this is not something a general vet should treat.

I have no idea where you are in the States; but Univ of Tennessee, and Dr Tobias are the leading experts in this disease. Beat a path there, or at the very least call them, to get a referral to a specialist close to you.

[Micah my love]

So sorry to hear this but there is hope for them, my Micah is going to be four this year and seems to be doing fine..

[d-bo]

Originally Posted by Micah my love

So sorry to hear this but there is hope for them, my Micah is going to be four this year and seems to be doing fine..

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

[d-bo]

the vet didn't sound so concerned but now I am scared after reading all of the concerns here. I will read up on it, and get the results from her, she didn't make it seem this serious, she just said it's something Yorkies get. I'm going to call for a second opinion tomorrow.

[LunasMomma]

I'm glad you're getting a second opinion. The vet's lack of concern is kind of alarming to me. Liver shunt disease of any kind is serious, and at the very least your pup should have been put on a special diet and/or medication.

Thinking of you and your little one Please keep us posted on what the second vet says

[d-bo]

Originally Posted by LunasMomma

I'm glad you're getting a second opinion. The vet's lack of concern is kind of alarming to me. Liver shunt disease of any kind is serious, and at the very least your pup should have been put on a special diet and/or medication.

Thinking of you and your little one Please keep us posted on what the second vet says

I will, and thank you for for your advise and support.

[d-bo]

Originally Posted by gemy

In the Sick and Emergency Forum; you will find lots of information about liver shunt.

Here is what concerns me about your post and the details (minimal) that you have offered. She has had seizures already...at only 7mths old. That is not a good sign at all.

My best advice is to go now to the experts, this is not something a general vet should treat.

I have no idea where you are in the States; but Univ of Tennessee, and Dr Tobias are the leading experts in this disease. Beat a path there, or at the very least call them, to get a referral to a specialist close to you.

They sent her blood work to UT, we live in near Knoxville so I will call them tomorrow. It's just so sad, one thing after another with her...

[gracielove]

I am so sorry to hear this about your baby. My Gracie was the "runt" of the litter. My vet was very concerned that she may have liver shunt when I took her in for her first visit. I confess I knew little about Yorkie issues when I first got her. As it turned out she did not have it but has always been a picky eater just the same. I guess that is also one of the outstanding symptoms of liver shunt.

Your baby looks so healthy. Does she vomit or have loss of appitite? Has she shown symptoms other than the seizures? It is a deformity of the liver. Because of some genetic malfuntion the liver does not form properly. You will see some diagrams online showing some samples of how the deformed liver can look.

Things like this problem are one of the reasons there are so many people on YT against backyard breeders and others who know nothing about the breeding of dogs. I can't say that show breeders have never had this issue but it is becoming rampant out in the general market for Yorkies. I hope your vet can get you to a specialist soon. It sounds like she needs one quickly.

[d-bo]

Originally Posted by gracielove

I am so sorry to hear this about your baby. My Gracie was the "runt" of the litter. My vet was very concerned that she may have liver shunt when I took her in for her first visit. I confess I knew little about Yorkie issues when I first got her. As it turned out she did not have it but has always been a picky eater just the same. I guess that is also one of the outstanding symptoms of liver shunt.

Your baby looks so healthy. Does she vomit or have loss of appitite? Has she shown symptoms other than the seizures? It is a deformity of the liver. Because of some genetic malfuntion the liver does not form properly. You will see some diagrams online showing some samples of how the deformed liver can look.

Things like this problem are one of the reasons there are so many people on YT against backyard breeders and others who know nothing about the breeding of dogs. I can't say that show breeders have never had this issue but it is becoming rampant out in the general market for Yorkies. I hope your vet can get you to a specialist soon. It sounds like she needs one quickly.

I have to confess and hope no one judges on this, I bought her from a breeder that had to moms and two dads and 9 puppy's in the home, and not so clean, but she showed pictures of grandparents in shows and she had papers on her, I was just there to look but when I got a hold of her I fell in love and came back the next day to get her and she came right to me again. There the problems begins I took her to the vet on the way home, she had every worm there was she was hypoglycemic, had diarrhea and random seizures it took me about another $1000.00 to get her healthy, she is now happy hyper and full of life, I though the worst was over until this last seizure, it happened after her yearly shots and giving her trifectis for the first time, well a few days apart. It was actually the Trifectis manufactures that payed for her blood work that was sent to UT. but that wasn't the problem, I guess it was this and I'm finding out it's genetic. It's hard to believe since she acts and looks so well that she could have a problem, so I will go from here to see how bad this is.

[kamax60]

Originally Posted by d-bo

I have to confess and hope no one judges on this, I bought her from a breeder that had to moms and two dads and 9 puppy's in the home, and not so clean, but she showed pictures of grandparents in shows and she had papers on her, I was just there to look but when I got a hold of her I fell in love and came back the next day to get her and she came right to me again. There the problems begins I took her to the vet on the way home, she had every worm there was she was hypoglycemic, had diarrhea and random seizures it took me about another $1000.00 to get her healthy, she is now happy hyper and full of life, I though the worst was over until this last seizure, it happened after her yearly shots and giving her trifectis for the first time, well a few days apart. It was actually the Trifectis manufactures that payed for her blood work that was sent to UT. but that wasn't the problem, I guess it was this and I'm finding out it's genetic. It's hard to believe since she acts and looks so well that she could have a problem, so I will go from here to see how bad this is.

No one is going to judge or think bad of you - you didn't know any better at the time. My baby came from a broker and I'm fairly certain from a puppy mill. I should have known better - I researched Scottish Terriers and knew what to look for, but for some reason didn't when "looking" for a Yorkie. I think in the back of my mind, I wasn't going to buy one yet. I had lost my Scottie 2 months before I started semi-looking. I wasn't sure I was ready. All it took was seeing that wee babe and I was smitten.

Hopefully it's the meds and shots that have set off increased levels.

[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.

[d-bo]

Originally Posted by kamax60

No one is going to judge or think bad of you - you didn't know any better at the time. My baby came from a broker and I'm fairly certain from a puppy mill. I should have known better - I researched Scottish Terriers and knew what to look for, but for some reason didn't when "looking" for a Yorkie. I think in the back of my mind, I wasn't going to buy one yet. I had lost my Scottie 2 months before I started semi-looking. I wasn't sure I was ready. All it took was seeing that wee babe and I was smitten.

Hopefully it's the meds and shots that have set off increased levels.

oh, thank you that makes me feel better for the understanding, also I am sorry for your loss.