In Desperate Need of Help! Not sure what is wrong.

[Yorkie Luv of 3]

well,, Bless Your Heart!! how scary,, sure hope you get some good news,,,

[Ellie May]

I'm sorry you're going through this.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT ACCEPT THIS ANSWER.
It sounds very similar to liver shunt and I would accept nothing short of a bile acid test.
Honestly, I would take him to another vet.
Those are neurologic symptoms if he can jump sometimes.

Walking sideways really has not much to do with blindness.
He NEEDS to be bile acid tested and if there is a liver problem, there is hope.
If the bile acid test is normal, then you could go to a specialist...

[nikkinack]

I will be praying for your pup and your family, hope all goes well.

[mogli]

Sending good vibes ... I agree with Ellie May that you need a second opinion!!!

[KathyinCali]

I am thinking of you and Bandit this morning and sending warm wishes and thoughts to you...

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT ACCEPT THIS ANSWER.
It sounds very similar to liver shunt and I would accept nothing short of a bile acid test.
Honestly, I would take him to another vet.
Those are neurologic symptoms if he can jump sometimes.

Walking sideways really has not much to do with blindness.
He NEEDS to be bile acid tested and if there is a liver problem, there is hope.
If the bile acid test is normal, then you could go to a specialist...

I am so sorry for what you're going through.

I really agree w/ Crystal here - and she really does have a lot of experience and knowledge in this area. You really must get a bile acid test. Please update when you can - and I wish you all the best.

[tpaxton23]

I agree with Ellie May, this puppy sounds like he has a shunt. When a puppy is having HE symptoms caused from a shunt it can affect their vision along with many other things. This puppy needs to be bile acid tested ASAP and put on a low protein diet as a precaution until the results are back. The sooner you find out if he has a shunt the less damaged his liver will be.

Please do not have him put to sleep. If you can't take him to a better vet then please turn him over to a yorkie rescue so he can get the treatment he needs.

[Mybabe4me]

I am sorry you are going through this.. The girls are right it does sound like Liver shunts but it also sounds like Atlanotoaxial Instability.. Which is what my little guy has. You can read more about AAI on Babybear's page on dogster.. http://www.dogster.com/dogs/136060
I am going to find you some information on Livershunts and post it..
there is much more information on Petplace.com Please check it out or google liver shunts or Atlanotoaxial Instability... You will see all the symptoms..Then tell you doc you want tests done for these..
Liver Shunts
Section: Overview

A portosystemic shunt is an abnormal communication between blood vessels, which causes blood to bypass the liver. The portal vein is a major vessel in the body which enters the liver and allows toxic components of the blood to be detoxified by the liver. When a shunt is present, the portal vein, or one of its related veins, is inappropriately connected to another vein which creates blood flow around the liver.

The most common type of shunt is a single congenital shunt. This means that the animal is born with the problem. Acquired shunts may occur secondary to liver disease.

Congenital shunts occur in both dogs and cats. Most animals start showing signs by six months of age. However, shunts have been diagnosed in adults as old as 10 years.

Shunts are more common in purebred dogs than mixed breeds.

The breeds predisposed to congenital shunts include: miniature schnauzer, Yorkshire terrier, Irish wolfhound, cairn terrier, Maltese, Australian cattle dog, golden retriever, Labrador retriever, and Old English sheepdog.

It occurs more often in female dogs, and of the affected males, there is also an increased incidence of cryptorchidism, in which one or both testicles remain undescended.

The impact of a portosystemic shunt on your pet can present itself in a variety of ways. The most common clinical signs are a result of elevated toxin levels in the blood secondary to failure of removal by the liver. One of the important toxins is ammonia, which causes abnormalities of the central nervous system.

What to Watch For


Lack of appetite

Lethargy

Weakness

Disorientation

Stumbling

Circling or pacing

Apparent staring into the corner

Pressing of the head against objects

Seizures

Blindness

Behavioral changes

Excess salivation (more common in cats)

Vomiting

Diarrhea

Increased thirst and frequent urination (more likely in dogs)

Straining to urinate

Blood in the urine

Failure to grow and thrive

Weight loss

Diagnosis


History and physical exam

Complete blood count (CBC)

Biochemical profile

Urinalysis

Bile acids

Blood ammonia level

Clotting tests

Abdominal radiographs (x-rays)

Abdominal ultrasound

Portography (special dye study)

Transcolonic scintigraphy to monitor the pattern of blood flow

Abdominal exploratory surgery

Treatment


Surgical ligation (closure) of the shunt is the treatment of choice. However, animals must be medically stabilized prior to surgery.


IV fluid therapy restores hydration deficits and corrects electrolyte imbalances.


Lactulose decreases absorption of intestinal toxins such as ammonia by altering intestinal pH.


Antibiotics alter intestinal bacteria such that ammonia production is decreased.


Feeding a protein restricted diet since protein in the diet can precipitate neurologic abnormalities.


In animals with vomiting and diarrhea, gastric protectants help reduce acidity of the gastrointestinal tract and may alleviate some of the symptoms.


Anti-convulsant drugs may be necessary in animals with seizures that are not responsive to the aforementioned medical treatments.

Home Care and Prevention

Give all medications as prescribed by your veterinarian. Feed only the prescribed diet. Monitor your pet for recurrence or worsening of the original clinical signs that alerted you to a problem.

As this is a congenital disorder, there are no known preventative measures for your individual pet. However, any cat or dog with a shunt should never be used for breeding purposes.

Please think about it before you put him to sleep he can live a happy life if he has one of these two problems..

[hpotts]

Just talked to the vet and he said that Bandit is 70% better. He is eating, using the potty, and running to you when you call his name and playing. He is not blind like he originally thought and he thinks that he got into some type of poision, possibly ant, we are looking into that. We will check back tomorrow and see if he is doing better and I will let you know. Thanks for all the suggestions and kind thoughts. I will mention the liver shunt to him again tomorrow. Thanks!

[Cinq1964]

Sorry you are going through this!! Prayers for all of you!!

[I Love Bailey]

So sorry you are going through this, it is so heatbreaking when your puppy is sick.
Sending prayers to you & Bandit!
Keep us posted on his progress!

[deb22]

2nd opinion won't hurt. Praying for you guys!

[NanaDtreasures]

Originally Posted by hpotts

I took Bandit to the vet yesterday, he is only 3.5 months old and I have had him since Feb 10th. The vet looked at him, set him down and he walked into the door, the vet said that he is blind, I told him that he couldnt be all the way blind because he can jump from the couch to the chair, he agreed that he is partially blind. He also said that he has either had a stroke, he could have meningitis, or he has some neurological problems. He kept Bandit said that he was going to run tests, give him a steroid shot and start him on antibiotics and he would call me in a few days and let me know if I needed to come get him or if he was going to have to put him down. It's really been hard on me and the kids, we are praying for the best! Thanks for all the support and I will let you know when I find more out.

awwwwww I will be saying prayers for your little guy
Please keep us posted.

[hpotts]

We lost Bandit this morning.

[I Love Bailey]

Oh, I am so sorry for the loss of Bandit!

I am sure your heart is breaking! Just know you did everything you could to bring him comfort!

((hugs)) to you,