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08-10-2006, 06:11 PM | #1 |
YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 268
| Diezel update As always you were all so concerned with him over the weekend. And thank you for that. And I dont want to take away from Gucci's thread But I just wanted to fill you in. His strange behavior turned out to be more then low sugar. His liver is not funtioning correctly. Blood tests and xrays all week and we finally have an idea what is wrong. We are going to the animal hospital tomorrow so I should have more answers. The vet is almost certain it is shunts ( I still am not clear on what that is) but she cannot cannot say for sure and is leaving that up to the hospital. But thank you again for support.. I need all I can get right now I am having a very hard time holding it together |
Welcome Guest! | |
08-10-2006, 06:24 PM | #2 |
Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Akron, Ohio
Posts: 337
| Good luck! It sounds like you are doing the best thing for Diezel. We'll be keeping our fingers crossed here for you both.
__________________ Tracy and my S "If a dog will not come to you after having looked you in the face, you should go home and examine your conscience."- Woodrow Wilson |
08-10-2006, 06:40 PM | #3 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In my house :)
Posts: 5,219
| Good luck...you're in my thoughts and prayers and I hope your baby is better soon. |
08-10-2006, 06:44 PM | #4 |
Crazy about Kacee! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas
Posts: 21,173
| Oh,no! I hope they are wrong! You can do a search for "liver shunts" on the blue bar at the top where it says "search" and learn some information about it. Anyway, good luck and do keep us updated. OK?
__________________ Karen Kacee Muffin 1991-2005 Rest in Peace My Little Angel |
08-10-2006, 07:43 PM | #5 |
Donating YT 30K Club Member | Oh poor baby! Hopefully they can correct the problem with surgery or diet. Cali has a mild inoperable internal liver shunt and I keep her on a low protein diet. They can fix the external ones most of the time and the internal can be controlled with diet and medicine. Keeping him in my prayers.
__________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html |
08-10-2006, 07:55 PM | #6 |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,002
| my thoughts and prayers are with you.
__________________ Dianne & Prudence |
08-10-2006, 07:57 PM | #7 |
Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: McLean , VA
Posts: 458
| awww poor baby.... . We are going to pray for him, and You as well.
__________________ NIKITA & LILO If my little girl is a PRINCESS, does it make me a QUEEN? |
08-10-2006, 08:07 PM | #8 |
Little Bit & Buttons Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: US
Posts: 2,160
| Prayers for both you & Diezel. I pray for healing & comfort for you both as you trust in God's peace. |
08-10-2006, 08:09 PM | #9 |
Keep Me Away From eBay Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Arizona
Posts: 2,109
| prayers sent for you
__________________ There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face!! |
08-10-2006, 08:58 PM | #10 |
YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: El Paso, Texas
Posts: 3,065
| Best article on liver shunt I have ever come across. Prayers to Diesel and Gucci. I will have to post it in parts because it is so long. Part I LIVER SHUNT WHAT IS IT? ... HOW DOES IT AFFECT OUR YORKIES? ... WHAT CAN WE DO? Let's start with the basics on liver shunt so everybody stays on the same page. Liver Shunt is one of the medical concerns of the Yorkshire Terrier Breed. It is a concern in several other breeds as well that have genetic relationships to the Yorkie like the Cairn Terrier and Scottish Terrier who are kissing cousins to the Yorkie. This leads us to believe, even more, that the problem is genetic. It also tends to run in bloodlines thus again leading us to believe it is a genetic occurrence but NO research to this date has proven anything other than it being a congenital defect. 74 breeds of dogs are believed to be possible carriers of liver shunt at this time. WHAT IS THE LIVER? ... WHAT IS IT'S FUNCTION? The liver is the largest organ in the body. The size of it is an indication of it's importance to the health of the animal. It is involved with growth, the supply of nutrients, provides energy, aids in reproduction and helps fight diseases. The liver cleans impurities out of the blood in massive amounts daily. If the liver is not functioning properly then impurities are circulated throughout the body causing other organ shut-downs and eventual death. WHAT IS IT? Liver Shunt is where the shunt blood vessels leading to the liver have bypassed the liver causing ammonia and other toxins to not be filtered out by the liver, resulting in hepatic encephalopathy or brain inflammation. It is actually a poisoning of the system leading to death unless successful medical intervention is given immediately. SYMPTOMS: Keep in mind that these symptoms can mimic other problems as well. Sporadic Weakness Dizziness Disorientation Loss of coordination Vomiting Diarrhea head-pressing Mental unawareness Aggression Urinary Tract Infections Bladder stones Low tolerance to sedatives Bleeding disorders Light colored stool Behavioral Changes Drooling Stupor Anorexia Pacing Blindness Seizures Coma Circling High puppy mortality (6-14 weeks) Lethargy Distended abdomen Jaundice |
08-10-2006, 09:00 PM | #11 |
YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: El Paso, Texas
Posts: 3,065
| Part II WHAT CAN WE DO? The first thing that every breeder should do is be aware that liver shunt is a problem in the Yorkshire Terrier breed and should be of great concern and every effort should be made to not produce puppies from afflicted animals or from 2 recessive carriers. This however is tougher to do than it is to say. The gene apparently can be carried Recessively and when this happens the dog producing the afflicted offspring does not have the condition themselves but are carriers of the gene and when two like recessive genes come together it produces an afflicted offspring. This is where the problem lies. Many offspring may be produced before the breeder becomes aware that they have a recessive gene problem in their lines. Though it is estimated that 25% of puppies produced from 2 recessive carriers will have affected offspring, 50% will be carriers and 25% will be clear of Liver Shunt the problem lies in misdiagnosis of the 25% that are affected. Many are never taken to the vet that die and the assumption is hypoglycemia since it is an ever increasing problem of the breed due to the determination of many irresponsible breeders to continue to downsize the breed. Most breeders who find a dead puppy in their pens never have an autopsy done so no diagnosis is ever made as to cause of death. Many breeders blame a reaction to a vaccine as the cause of death when in actuality the vaccine may of just been the catalyst. Other pet owners refuse to have an autopsy done due to cost or emotional stress. The second problem being that there is no simple and easy test for the accurate diagnosis of liver shunt. There are several test that could lead you to believe that your dog may be affected but a very invasive test is required for a Conclusive Diagnosis and few are willing to put their animal through such an invasive test if they themselves are not showing any signs and symptoms of liver shunt. So that puts us back at square one. What can we do? WHO IS TO BLAME? Blame is such a harsh word and sometimes nobody is to blame. There is no shame in producing a liver shunt puppy. The shame is if you KNOW you are producing liver shunt puppies and have not taken steps to prevent it in the future. EVERYBODY has problems in their lines with something and liver shunt is just another concern for those who breed Yorkshire Terriers. Liver Shunt however is one of those MAJOR concerns as it is life-threatening. It is however, NOT something that everybody should assume is going to take them by storm and wipe out their bloodlines. Nobody seems to want to blame the breeder for producing hundreds of Hypoglycemia puppies a year but yet hypoglycemia is a problem that is easier to remove from your breeding program and control than liver shunt. But yet let a liver shunt puppy be produced and everybody is up in arms and wanting to point fingers and yell from the rooftops - Irresponsible breeder! Once again let me repeat: There is no shame in producing a liver shunt puppy. The shame is if you KNOW you are producing liver shunt puppies and have not taken the first step to prevent it in the future. And I ASSURE YOU THAT THERE IS NO EASY ONE STEP PROGRAM. IS IT RUNNING RAPID IN YORKIES? NO it is not running rapid in Yorkies but it has shown to be on the increase in the past 20 years. The notice in increase is very likely to be that more Vets and Breeders have become aware of Liver Shunt and are having the test run that confirms liver shunt as the problem. The Yorkshire Terrier however has shown to test more often Positive for Liver Shunt than any other breed of dog. In 2001 - 483 Yorkies were reported as diagnosed with Liver Shunt. That number is comparably small though if you figure how many Yorkies were born in the year 2001. At that time it was considered to be less than 2%. That leaves 98% of all Yorkies unaffected. With 98% unaffected I'd say it is not running rapid and you have a better than average chance of receiving a healthy puppy. You have a far greater chance of receiving a puppy affected with hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is also life-threatening, to be sure, so I'd be more concerned about my puppy be affected by hypoglycemia than liver shunt. |
08-10-2006, 09:01 PM | #12 |
YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: El Paso, Texas
Posts: 3,065
| Part III TESTING: There are several Test that can be used to determine if more invasive test are warranted but it is unrealistic to test every puppy or Adult dog unless some signs or symptoms are seen that justify the testing to be done. The simple test are inconclusive at best and there are no test at this time other than the invasive ones that can give an accurate diagnosis. There are many many problems that can lead to liver dysfunction and some are not genetic so it's not as simple as to say to test every puppy for liver shunt because the test are not always accurate and they do not do a conclusive diagnosis of liver shunt but as to a liver dysfunction.. We all wish it was as simple as testing every puppy but it just isn't that simple. 28% of test to date have shown to be inaccurate for the diagnosis of liver shunt. Not very good odds when your condemning a puppy to more invasive measures or being put to sleep due to the cost of the more invasive treatments. There has also been a concern as to using the inconclusive test on Yorkies since Yorkies have been found to NOT have a determined consistent acid bile level even in healthy unaffected specimens. Bile Acid Test - Serum Bile Acids - A Liver FUNCTION test, not an enzyme test. Performed by taking a blood sample, givng a meal, taking another blood sample 2 hour after the meal. The sample are then compared giving us an accurate measure of liver function. This does NOT give a CONCLUSIVE diagnosis of liver shunt only a reading of liver function. More invasive test would be needed for any diagnosis as to the liver problem. Urine Acid Test - Ammonia tolerance testing - A urine test to determine existance of lvier disease. Could result in finding annomium biurate crystals. Not always accurate. More invasive test would be needed for any diagnosis as to the liver problem. Blood Ammonia Value Test - Sensitive indicators: less reliable than Total Serum Bile acids because of analytic problems. STOOL SAMPLE: A dog that has abnormal pigmented stool could indicate liver disease. Obstruction of the biliary system and normal bile pigments are not secreted to cause the normal dark color of stool. X-Rays - An enlarged liver on a radiograph is called hepatomegaly, an abnormally small one is called microphepatica. Both be signs of a liver problem. Ultrasounds - Is highly beneficial in the diagnosis of liver disease. Ultrasounds are usually used after the Enzyme or Bile Acid Test prior to Imaging or Biopsy. Is unreliable at best. Liver Imaging: RADIOGRAPHY - Invasive - A dye is injected into the spleen and the dye is tracked through Radiograph through the blood vessels. A blood vessel bypassing the liver can easily be seen on the image. This is the only universally accepted method of confirming a shunt, short of major surgery, it however is extremely invasive and is a poor choice for "screening" purposes. Liver Biopsy - Extremely Invasive - A valuable test in the diagnosis of liver disease. A sample of the liver is obtained during exploratory surgery. Can be life-threatening if the diseased liver hemorrhages into the abdomen so a coagulation panel prior to any liver biopsy is necessary. INVASIVE SURGERY and AUTOPSY are the only two that can positively identify a LIVER SHUNT. Also keep in mind that Liver Shunt has to this date not been proven to be genetic. No genetic markers to date have been found and no research has proven that it is genetic. However there is every logical reason to believe that SOME FORMS are genetic. Other Liver Dysfunctions that could mimic Liver Shunt: Acute Hepatic Failure - Rapid loss of liver function due to death of liver cells caused by drugs, toxins, infectious diseases and lack of oxygen. Mimics Liver Shunt signs and symptoms. Hepatic Lipidosis - The accumulation of fatty tissue within the liver caused by appetite loss which promotes the accumulation of lipid in the liver. Mimics Liver Shunt signs and symptoms. Hepatitis Chronic Active - Inflammation of the liver causing the accumulation of inflammatory cells and scarring. Mimics Liver Shunt signs and symptoms. Copper Storage Disease - Genetic disease caused by excessive accumulation of copper in the liver. Mimics Liver Shunt signs and symptoms. Infectious Hepatitis: Viral disease that targets the liver, kidneys, eyes and blood stream. Mimics Liver Shunt signs and symptoms. Benign Tumors: Abnormal cell accumulation that affects the livers ability to filter and process properly. Mimics Liver Shunt signs and symptoms. Cancer: Abnormal cell accumulation that affects the livers ability to filter and process properly. Mimics Liver Shunt signs and symptoms. Toxins: Excessive overload of impurities in the blood stream that overloads the livers ability to filter and process properly due to illness or disease. Mimics Liver Shunt signs and symptoms. Parasites: Such as liver flukes or HEARTWORMS which invade the liver causing the livers inability to filter and process properly. Mimics Liver Shunt signs and symptoms. Liver Abscess: Lesions that cause the livers inability to filter and process properly. Mimics Liver Shunt signs and symptoms. Cirrhosis - One form of the end stage of liver disease causing the liver to be unable to filter and process properly. Mimics Liver Shunt signs and symptoms. Trauma - Severe or blunt blow to the liver region causing contusions. Mimics Liver Shunt signs and symptoms. Pancreatitis - A severe inflammatory process that occurs with digestive enzymes that can spill over into the liver and cause severe disease. Mimics Liver Shunt signs and symptoms. ADVENOVIRUS - Viral disease of canines. Mimics Liver Shunt signs and symptoms. POISONS: Toxic substances ingested by mouth or absorbed through the skin into the blood stream that can have deadly consequences to your animal such as Oleander, Azalea, Rhododendrons, Poinsettias and Japanese yews to name a few. Causes liver malfunction and can mimic Liver Shunt signs and symptoms. MEDICINES: There are several chemicals that could be toxic to the liver including medicine given daily to many animals such as Rimadyl (arthritis treatment), Thiacetarsamide (heartworm treatment), Ketaconazole (fungal treatment), Tylenol (acetaminophen), Glucocorticoids (cortisone), Anthelmintics (wormer), Parasiticides, Phenobarbital (epilepsy meds). So it seems that some times we're danged if we do and danged if we don't!!!!!!!!!! What age is Liver Shunt Diagnosed: Liver Shunt can be diagnosed as early as 8 weeks of age and for years after that. The degree of the shunt determines at which stage the diagnosis is usually made. A minor shunt where only minor amounts of blood are being redirected around the liver may go for years without being diagnosed. The amount of protein that you feed your animal also has some bearing as to the degree of problems that your animal will exhibit thus delaying the diagnosis further if you are feeding a low-protein feed. Keep in mind also that other disease or occurrences can cause Liver Shunt which would make it diagnosed only after the disease or occurrence. IN CLOSING: Yes, liver shunt is a concern in Yorkies. Liver Shunt may or may not be genetic but everything leads us to believe that it CAN BE. Liver Shunt can however be caused by other outside sources and other medical ailments. There are NO "SCREENING" methods at this time by which to screen every puppy that is considered to be accurate or justified. There is no shame in producing a liver shunt puppy - the shame is not taking the first step to prevent it in the future |
08-10-2006, 09:26 PM | #13 |
BANNED FOR NOT MAILING PRODUCTS PURCHASED | so sorry to hear about Diezel, you are heading in the right direction and getting the help he needs! I sure hope he gets better and is back and playing in no time. You have my thoughts and prayers! |
08-10-2006, 10:03 PM | #14 |
Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: us
Posts: 2,255
| My thoughts and prayers are with you and Diesel!!! |
08-10-2006, 10:37 PM | #15 |
Donating YT 8000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 9,339
| This week has been pretty depresssing as there have been too many sick furbabies I hope Diesel will pull through . . we will be praying for your both! |
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