My 11 week old puppy has a liver shunt :(

[Robin Lodal]

Originally Posted by TLC

These little buggers can just be stubborn at times when it comes to food. Mine are almost 5 yrs old, and they like certain foods, a certain way - bizarre I know...Like sweet potatoes. They will NOT eat them mashed or boiled, however, if I bake them like fries - they go nuts for them

So baking the L/D or mashed up RC kibble *may* just be enough of an enticment to eat

You can also get some goat cheese, and lightly coat some of the RC kibble, that may entice her to eat too

She has been eating more of the baked LD. She is not a fan of the baked RC kibble... I will have to try to the goat cheese (it may be awhile before I can get my hands on this b/c I live 30 mins from "town"). But she is doing better, eating wise. I usually only have to syringe feed at night when I have woken her up to eat (who wants to eat when they are still half way asleep? lol)

I contacted her doctor and asked again about the vaccines. She called me back and said that she and Dr. Tobias agree that she should continue with her vaccination schedule and that since she is being managed by diet and meds, she should be fine. So she will be getting her 2nd shot tomorrow hopefully. That way she can have her final vaccine, a few days before the surgery.

So, in all, she is doing better. Still has not gained any weight, just maintained. She is going to be so spoiled rotten and I hope that I will be able to somehow break some of the things are doing now (for convenience, etc) so that we aren't doing it for the rest of our lives. She is sleeping with us now (but I also want the option of her sleeping in her room in the future) because it makes night feedings much easier. I am also letting her lick me all over (which I usually only allow the ear if its on my face) which is not usual. I should probably nip that one in the butt now and just allow my ear to her.

[Robin Lodal]

So after many people expressed concern about Ginger getting her 2nd/3rd booster shot (she just turned 12 weeks yesterday), I contacted her dr at UT to make sure this was something that we should do.

Ginger's dr called me back last night and said that she had talked to Dr. Tobias and that I need to go ahead with her vaccines as planned and that she should be fine even though she does have a shunt. They said that if we were not managing the shunt medically, it could be a problem but where she is on the diet/meds, she should be fine.

I just thought I would pass that info along to all of you. I will keep you updated on how she is doing.

She is eating some, but not a whole lot. I am still having to supplement with a syringe. I have been baking the RC LS and the canned LD. In doing this, she favors the LD more. So I try to break the RC kibble up (usually in quarters) and wrap it with the LD in *tiny* bites. This is very time consuming but has been working ok so far. I really wish she would just eat it all w/o me having to do this.... but that would be in a perfect world, right?

[TLC]

Originally Posted by Robin Lodal

So after many people expressed concern about Ginger getting her 2nd/3rd booster shot (she just turned 12 weeks yesterday), I contacted her dr at UT to make sure this was something that we should do.

Ginger's dr called me back last night and said that she had talked to Dr. Tobias and that I need to go ahead with her vaccines as planned and that she should be fine even though she does have a shunt. They said that if we were not managing the shunt medically, it could be a problem but where she is on the diet/meds, she should be fine.

I just thought I would pass that info along to all of you. I will keep you updated on how she is doing.

She is eating some, but not a whole lot. I am still having to supplement with a syringe. I have been baking the RC LS and the canned LD. In doing this, she favors the LD more. So I try to break the RC kibble up (usually in quarters) and wrap it with the LD in *tiny* bites. This is very time consuming but has been working ok so far. I really wish she would just eat it all w/o me having to do this.... but that would be in a perfect world, right?

Glad you spoke with the Dr regarding the shots

I know this pickiness about eating is a pain in the butt I hope though she will start to learn and realize that this is the food she needs to eat and will be more cooperative soon prayers are coming

[kjc]

You can replace some of the kibble with cottage cheese and/ or hard boiled egg. The proteins in the cc and hbe and more easily digested and are less work for the liver. The antibiotics kill the bacteria in the gut because they produce ammonia (that would normally be removed by the liver) which the Lactulose binds to and removes from the body (without it getting to the liver) when she poops. Lactulose can also be delivered in an enema during a seizure to immediately reduce ammonia levels in the bowel. I occasionally sprinkle parmesan cheese on the food. Just a little bit. Mine seems to love it. Also entice mine with Light whipped creme. I dot the bottom of the bowl and cover it with the food, so it's a game to find it and mine ends up eating more!

[Robin Lodal]

Ginger is doing very well and has started eating on her own. She is very spunky and lively and just loves the attention that she gets. I no longer can take her outside to potty w/o a leash on, b/c boy is she fast! haha She knows her name but will not always come back to me so I have learned very quickly. She has also gained about an ounce or so which is good!

I just realized that I haven't put any pictures or videos up in the past few days so I need to get on that! I'm watching her right now play on one of the beds with a little kitty ball. My eyes can't help but swell b/c she was given up on. I am so in love with this puppy. Its crazy how something so small can capture your heart like this.

The family that had her before came and visited the other day. They could not believe that she was doing so well. Shunts are not a death sentence! Its amazing how just a diet change and a couple of meds can change someone around so much.

I promise to try to get some pictures/videos up soon! Thank you so much for your prayers.

[Rerun201]

Robin, you and your husband are truly amazing people. Ginger (and the rest of your gang!) are so blessed to have such great care. Hoping and praying that she just continues to grow and be healthy.

[Robin Lodal]

I took some pictures and a video of Ginger tonight... just thought I would share. She was on her very best behavior!

YouTube - Ginger - 12 weeks

[itzzbarb]

How good it is to see pictures of Ginger! She is a special little girl. Thanks for the updates and pictures.

[suzieqnova]

What an amazing story. Ginger is so, so, so adorable! I'm so happy to hear she is doing well and up and running about. Truly amazing!

You doing a wonderful job and I can tell you absolutely love your pups to pieces.

[dwerten]

Robine she looks AWESOME you did such a great job with her !!!!!

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by Lolasmom1211

Robin, My Lola had LS surgery in March at UT. I still have to hand feed her 3-4 times a day to get her to eat anything at all. I have to put the Hills LD in the food processor with about 1 cup of water - I don't measure...I just make it the consistancy of baby food. I then have to take about 2 heaping teaspoons and heat it in the microwave until it is warm and then feed her off the end of my finger. This is really all that she will eat and I have tried everything else on the list. She will not eat the kibble either...maybe 2-3 pieces / day. When I do feed her, I have to really coax her to eat, she does not eat willingly and there can be no distractions or she will stop! The one can of Hills will last about 4 days - no way could she eat it in 2! Lola has steadily gained a little weight, but very, very slowly. She was about 3.5 lbs when I took her to TN, lost some during the surgery, but is now a little under 4 lbs but seems to be very healthy. She has only been to the vet once since her LS surgery and that was for a rash she had gotten in the yard. I know part of her problem is she is just spoiled, but we had such a rocky beginning with her - and I, like you, had to get up throughout the night to feed her. I know it's exhausting and frustrating at times when they don't eat....this works for us. I hope it helps - God bless you and Baby Ginger. Give her a sweet kiss on her baby nose from us! ~~~ Valerie, "Lola & Harley"

have you tried dr dodds liver cleansing diet ? fyi she is coming out with the canned version a year from now so that will wonderful i think -- there is a company that makes it and freezes it and you may want to give it a try - i will try to find the link

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by Robin Lodal

Ok Debbie, seriously think about what you just said... can you imagine walking a 75lb black lab with a yorkie on the same coupler? I guess its possible? lol hahahaha

I have already thought about ordering her a harness and seeing if Cindy can alter my coupler and make it a tripler (haha)? I don't know if its possible but its worth a shot... But I have a good while before she will be going on walks.

lol just seeing this ok so ginger can ride on the back of your lab in a harness or back pack lol

[dwerten]

here is the link i was trying to find - you may want to have them ship this to you - you will have to email them

PJ Scots

[red98vett]

I just today saw this thread and am so happy she's doing so well ! Good for you and all the best to your family and Ginger - she looks very happy

and to you Ginger - EAT Sweetie !!!

[haleycro]

Your story sounds so much like mine. Mine started when pup, "oostie", was about 6 wks old. Same symptoms...gave lite corn syup, meds, and bottle fed for 1 1/2 weeks..Did so much better, vet couldn't believe she survived! But i had to try cause she was going to my 6 yr old niece. She and her mom & dad loved her so much, i had to try everything. All things went well till she was 11 wks old, and she had a relapse of same LS. Vet said she wouldn't make it and did i want to put lots of $$ into her when it may not help. Well i knew we had to make a decision so i brought her home, with 2-3 different meds including one that made her hungry, and began hand feeding her again for 2 weeks. She did fantastic. Niece and parents have her...now she's 6 months old and doing great. We treat her as if she is a special needs child and she has not been back to the vet for any medical issue except shots, etc. So keep up the good work! Our miracle is georgeous...look...