It's good to hear that Buster is still hanging in there. Quite likely, if he were a smaller Yorkie, you would have lost him by now. Just by reading your posts, it looks like Buster hasn't had a good meal in 72 hours or more. He really needs to have some solid food in him. There isn't enough food in him to soak up some of the bile in his stomach so you'll likely see some stomach upset (loose bowel movements and/or vomiting) until he eats better. I think he's just having a difficult adjustment and hopefully not something more serious. While refusal to eat and throwing up *can* be a symptom of liver shunt, it is also a symptom of a pup with a very empty stomach. Unless he's having symptoms that makes the vet think it's necessary, it's probably best to hold off on a blood draw until he's stronger. FYI, Yorkies are more prone to liver shunt but the experts don't recommend testing for it until a pup is 20 weeks old. Until that time, their organs are still developing and you can't expect an accurate result. Also, having recent vaccinations or illness could skew the results. As you go forward, watch for Buster having bad reactions after eating or to a vaccination as both of those symptoms could indicate a liver not properly functioning. For now, though, just focus on getting him settled in and eating well. Also, he should not have any vaccinations until he's 100% recovered and eating properly. Best of luck..:)

I hope the little guy is doing better. Keep up the good work!

Again
 

He is not feeling good again. Limp not responsive and can't stand up. We are doing all we know to do. I wish he would snap out of this. He hasn't vomited since the vet but he is still so up and down. nutri cal, soft puppy food, baby food fruit, p lite and water. I don't know what else to do for him. We both have to work tom. we were hoping for him to be good enough tom so I could work a little and not have him in my lap all day. This is not easy!!! I feel like we will get the same result if we go back to the vet. The vet we go to is highly recommended by EVERYONE we know that owns and animal. as in "don't take him anywhere else" as most say.:(

I am so sorry to hear this. It really might be time to get some bloodwork done. At two pounds and with the constant meals you have been giving him, he shouldn't keep crashing. I am fearful that there is something more than hypoglycemia going on. :big_hug:

Oh - so sad to hear that Buster is not doing well. You are in our thoughts an prayers. Keep up the TLC and vet care - it sounds like you are doing everything that possible. Buster sounds like a tough little pup! I look forward to reading a happy update soon.

I wish I knew more information for you. I'm so sorry that he's so sick. Chip was the same age, a little bigger, and had a hypoglycemic attack that sounds similar to what you're describing, but after he got food in him he was fine for good. I hope you can figure out what is wrong with him. I know they checked him for parvo, but has the vet tested him for giardia? He came from a pet store, which ultimately came from a puppy mill and giardia is spread dirty contaminated water and other sick dogs... What about coccidia?

Your baby boy is in my prayers. I hope he gets better.
You're doing amazing. Keep it up!
Happy to see there are some people in the world that love as much as possible.

Stupid pet stores :(

Sure hope you can get to the bottom of all this. I can really sympathize with you, my husband and I tried everything in our power to pull a little puppy out of the same thing as you are going through. We even fed him cheerios, as a last resort, when he would take them. Try to make sure he has plenty of fluids, keep him warm, and don't put all your faith in one vet.
I hope he will be o.k.

The only thing I was surprised about is that the vet sent him home so early the other day. I would have thought he would have given him some IV fluids to build him up. From your posts, it seems like so far he's only had very small amounts of food, and none of that being anything substantial. He may have other health issues, but, no matter what, he really must eat, and by that I mean some real food with protein in it. It really isn't fair to you that you're having to go through this but that is the hand you've been dealt. I don't know the history of your pup, but even pups from reputable breeders can have adjustment problems such as not eating that can lead to hypoglycemia. The difference is that a good breeder wouldn't have let a pup go at such an early age so the chances would be less of something happening. Please get some solid food in that baby. He is very weakened and will not get better until he eats, no matter what other possible health issues he may or may not have. He also should not be left alone until he's fully recovered. From the sounds of it, he probably should be at the vet. This is not something that you can wait and see about. I've been through this before (as others here have) and, if I can be of any help, please PM me and I'll send you my phone #. Just click on my name to the left of this message and a drop down menu will give you the option of sending me a private message. I'm really scared for Buster. After so much time, you need to get him on the right track quickly. Bless you all for what you're doing for him, but it is critical to get him over this hump ASAP.

I am so sorry that your puppy is not doing well. I wish they would make laws against selling puppies in pet stores. You have no idea where they came from or how they were taken care of.

I feed my puppies, baby rice cereal with canned goats milk. 1 part milk to 2 parts water. They always eat that when they won't eat anything else.

Im so sorry he is not doing well again. Can someone stay with him all day tommorow? Just keep feeding him every two hours, he need protein and carbs, He will snap out of this if it not anything bad. Please have your vet do a full blood panel. This will tell whats going on with him. Have them keep him tommorow if you have to work and put him on IV fluids. Have you called the vet today? I would take him there now...You are doing great he is just weak. Your in our Prayers...

Just take him in tonight or in the morning and let the Vet take care of him for a few days until he gains weight. I know its tough but you guys are fighters and so is Buster. Dont keep switching his food, keep him on the same food every two hours. You need to syring feed him diluted puppy food every 2 hours tonight...Getting him to 12 weeks will be great because then he will be stronger.

You can buy puppy goat milk at petsmart. Its about 7 bucks a can and all my pups also loved it...

the antibiotics... if he is still on those can cause loose stools

I strongly suggest you take Buster back to your vet for urgent treatment. He may not be getting enough food to sustain him, or fluids. I believe you and your family are doing the best that you can for the new pup however, he needs more advanced medical care. If he does not stabilise i am concerned that due to his weakend body he can go even further downhill to the point of no return. Please take him back in to the vet so he can recieve further, even lifesaving treatment.
I am very sorry that Buster keeps crashing and having such a difficult time. I wish him the best and a speedy recovery, he does need medical treatment right away. Please keep us updated.

Ok, I just talked to a different vet at the same facility. He said that he doesn't think it is low blood sugar because if it was he would have been acting better by now. He wants us to bring him in first thing in the morning for a full blood panel. He said that just by what I have said he thinks it sounds like a porto-systemic shunt (liver shunt). When we were feeding him the Hawaiian Delight baby food mixed with cottage cheese he looked like he was doing better but, when I switched to a protein based canned soft puppy food he looks terrible again. This would make sence if he has the liver shunt. We will know more in the morning. We just want to know what is wrong so we can treat his condition properly. Thank you so much for all of your support and advise. We greatly appreciate it!

Poor baby. I hope it's not a liver shunt, but I have a feeling it is. I'm glad he has you for a family!

WOW that's about twice the cost of the grocery store.

I hope it's not liver shunt. but at least you would know what you are dealing with.

JMO But.....I would go back to the petstore and let them know and ask for a refund. AND HELL NO I'M NOT GIVING THE PUPPY BACK, WHY WOULD YOU WANT A SICK PUPPY BACK. And if you don't give me a refund I'm calling the Local TV station.

How is Buster doing now? Is he going to be ok during the night? i know las night was very rough for him. Has he eaten for you guys? Has the vet explained that there are 2 different types of Liver shunts?
I will be praying for Buster and my thoughts are with him and his new family.

Oh, dear. That's what I have been afraid of.

What sort of health guarantee did you get? Missouri doesn't have puppy lemon laws.

Here is a great link from the University of Tennessee about liver shunts. The U of T did the study that found that Yorkies were 36 times more likely to have a liver shunt than all other breeds combined.

Portosystemic Shunts FAQ

You go girl.....My exact words...Dont give up this pup to the pet store or the breeder, because sure enough they will euthinize him....Get Buster to the vet and deal with these crook breeders and petstore later.....Love is on your way.......Lissette

that's what I was afraid of :( I know bile acid tests are recommended for a 20 week or older puppy for most accurate results, but if you have a puppy with obvious symptoms, I'd have one done. I hope they are able to get him stablilized and figure out what's going on with him. I know this has to be so draining on you too...what was supposed to be a happy time for you has turned into a scary one.

exactly. they shouldn't be able to get away with selling a sick puppy. They really ought to give you a refund to go toward his vet bills

I am so sorry your baby is still sick. Hopefully you will get some answers tomorrow.

How is Buster doing now..... Just worried....

From your earlier post, it sounds like Buster is very weak. No matter what the vet told you on the phone, you must consider his condition an emergency at this point. It is not a certainty that he'll make it through the night unless he gets some nutrition. If he can't stand, you're likely to see this progress into seizures and/or coma. He is much too weak to eat on his own and would now have to be force fed. If you aren't able to get something in him or if he doesn't respond well when you do, you should see a vet tonight and not wait until tomorrow. Yes, it is THAT serious.

I agree. This little guy needs to be on an IV at this point, I think.

What a horrible, horrible situation for Buster's new parents. I hate puppymills and pet shops. :mad:

I'm wishing you guys well
 

Buster is a fighter, you can tell by the first and last name and family too!!! Good luck with everything...I agree with the previous post, once Buster is better start calling your local news and even your congress...I have to admit before Max came into my life, I didn't think much either way about dogs, but this is really upsetting to me and everyone else on this post and I can only imagine what you are going through at this point.


send Buster our love from Max:aimeeyork and Keyona:)

Up and Downs
 

Well it is 10:00 here and he is looking good again. I came home after work and it was like all the hard work down the drain. He was floored. My wife called the vet as she said and he told us about the shunt and he didn't need the bad protein of the soft food. He said that was prob the prob so we stoped the soft and went straight back to the baby food and plite. He is back on his feet and walking around. I hate it that he may have a shunt but I am glad we have a shot at a solution. I called the breeder last night and told him that the dog was sick when we bought him and he claims that he is gonna get with the pet store and try to help us out. If he has shunts I will be on him hard about a refund. No I will sacrafice the money over giving him back. If he doesn't do right I will be taking him to small claims court. I haven't ever taken anyone to court but this could be the first. I am not gonna make this an easy experience for him as he did the same to my fam. Unless he does the right thing. I told my wife that if he gets away with this it will be easy for him to do it again. It's not about the money at this point but it is about the point that if I stand on him he might make better choices next time he thinks about selling a sick pup. Like the vet said if he was having to feed him cottage cheese and hawian delight baby food before we got him then there was a prob from the get go and the breeder prob knew all about it or had an idea. Thanks everyone.

:thumbup::thumbup:

Buster and all his relatives who are suffering in the mill he came from to produce more Busters have found a great advocate! You can make things pretty difficult for this man because it is illegal for the wholesalers/puppymills to sell puppies to pet shops before they are eight weeks old. If he isn't even licensed by the USDA, he is really in big trouble.

Have you checked to see if his name is on the USDA "puppymill" list?

http://www.prisonersofgreed.org/ListA2006.pdf

Keep a diary of everything, all conversations, save all your receipts, etc. As you say, you can probably take him to small claims court. Unfortunately, the best you could get would be a refund of his purchase price and if he has a shunt, his vet bills will be much more. :(

If Buster does have a shunt, it\'s the protein in the meat that he can\'t eat. He still needs protein to stabilize his blood sugar, but it has to be the right kind of protein. Cottage cheese and eggs are excellent choices. Fiber helps flush toxins out of his body since his liver may not be able to sorown rice or oatmeal would be great, too.