HELP!! IN NEED OF ADVICE/PRAYERS. Baby w/ liver shunt

[manolos mom]

What about the Protein C test? This should tell her if there is a shunt or not. UT price for surgery should be under $2000. After the BAT test I would have your vet preform the Protein C test.

[TLC]

This member has stated that she is 16 years old, and lives in Cali. I know that we all think U of Tenn is the best and it is, but that is a long journey for a 16 year old - don't you think???

Idealy, if the parents are interested in taking her, then they should log on here and we can talk to them about it.

Also, if no one can travel to U of Tenn, they will need to be encouraging and supportive of the Hospitals in Cali, which I am sure are very good too.

[Sashabear0430]

Originally Posted by TLC

This member has stated that she is 16 years old, and lives in Cali. I know that we all think U of Tenn is the best and it is, but that is a long journey for a 16 year old - don't you think???

Idealy, if the parents are interested in taking her, then they should log on here and we can talk to them about it.

Also, if no one can travel to U of Tenn, they will need to be encouraging and supportive of the Hospitals in Cali, which I am sure are very good too.

Thank you for your support. I still do plan on traveling by car next summer to UT. I will be accompanied by a 23 year old and a 19 year. Possibly another person. My parents cannot afford surgery because they are really struggling with money. I am determined to raise the money to take her to UT and have the surgery done. I know traveling there will be a long way but, I'm also interested in taking a road trip there. That way I can see three different states that I have never seen before and also hopefully save my baby's life. If the surgery works. I interested in talking to someone who has traveled by car to UT from California. And I would like to talk to people who have had the surgery done at UT and there yorkies are doing excellent now.

[manolos mom]

You need to do the Protein C test before you spend 400 to 500 dollars on scintigraphy. Its a sample sent to
Comparative Coagulation -- NYS Animal Health Diagnostic Center
Jan 4, 2008 ... Cornell University home page · College of Veterinary Medicine home page ... Protein C Activity assay fee. Test Principle ...Please have your vet look at this.

[ladyjane]

Someone told me that YTNR has a network of people who will assist people with places to stay in TN. I don't know if that is true, but certainly worth looking into if you do go there!

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by TLC

This member has stated that she is 16 years old, and lives in Cali. I know that we all think U of Tenn is the best and it is, but that is a long journey for a 16 year old - don't you think???

Idealy, if the parents are interested in taking her, then they should log on here and we can talk to them about it.

Also, if no one can travel to U of Tenn, they will need to be encouraging and supportive of the Hospitals in Cali, which I am sure are very good too.

Ohhhhh I just saw this. Sorry...I should have read every single post before replying.
Yes, that is a long journey. And, yes, the parents need to be involved and informed.

[Sashabear0430]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Ohhhhh I just saw this. Sorry...I should have read every single post before replying.
Yes, that is a long journey. And, yes, the parents need to be involved and informed.

I swore to my parents that I would take care of this dog and wouldn't ask them for anything when I asked for permission to get it. They have done so much already. I will not put it on them to decide what to do. It's up to me and I've made my decision.

[Robin Lodal]

Hey Sasha,

This is a huge undertaking and I respect you tremendously for taking this one on.

I am not a HUGE expert (as I said earlier, I learning a LOT now and as I go) so I can only tell you what I know.

If you join that Yahoo Group (I posted the link earlier), there are SEVERAL people on that group who have traveled to UT to get the surgery. PLEASE join the group and there are experts there that will be able to give you more directions. Many of us on this forum are a member of the group as well.

I am not a vet and I do not know how severe your baby's condition is. She may be fine to wait til next summer, she may not be. I think that is something that you would to talk to a vet about and see if you are willing to take that risk. I just don't know, so I can't say "yay" or "nay". My advice would probably be "better sooner than later".

I do remember that the estimate for surgery that they gave me about 2 weeks ago (we are having surgery in less than 2 weeks) was 1800-2200 and recovery is usually 2-3 days (in hospital that is). I can let you know exact $$ after the surgery so you can better budget.

Does anyone know if a minor can sign up for Care Credit (if they have an adult cosign)? I don't know very much about it but I do know with UT you cannot make payments. You have to make the payment in full whenever you "check out".

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Robin Lodal

Hey Sasha,

This is a huge undertaking and I respect you tremendously for taking this one on.

I am not a HUGE expert (as I said earlier, I learning a LOT now and as I go) so I can only tell you what I know.

If you join that Yahoo Group (I posted the link earlier), there are SEVERAL people on that group who have traveled to UT to get the surgery. PLEASE join the group and there are experts there that will be able to give you more directions. Many of us on this forum are a member of the group as well.

I am not a vet and I do not know how severe your baby's condition is. She may be fine to wait til next summer, she may not be. I think that is something that you would to talk to a vet about and see if you are willing to take that risk. I just don't know, so I can't say "yay" or "nay". My advice would probably be "better sooner than later".

I do remember that the estimate for surgery that they gave me about 2 weeks ago (we are having surgery in less than 2 weeks) was 1800-2200 and recovery is usually 2-3 days (in hospital that is). I can let you know exact $$ after the surgery so you can better budget.

Does anyone know if a minor can sign up for Care Credit (if they have an adult cosign)? I don't know very much about it but I do know with UT you cannot make payments. You have to make the payment in full whenever you "check out".

I totally agree! Sasha is being very responsible! I hope that it all works out well.

As for Care Credit, I don't know how that would work. I am sure that a minor cannot get credit but a cosigner might work. If she has a good relationship with her parents, perhaps they can apply and let her make the payments!

Sasha, do speak with your vet about the wait on the surgery...make sure that will be ok.

And, please DO join that Yahoo group. Those people have lots and lots of experience and will be a great resource for you!

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by manolos mom

What about the Protein C test? This should tell her if there is a shunt or not. UT price for surgery should be under $2000. After the BAT test I would have your vet preform the Protein C test.

this is not always accurate as the yorkie i just helped a month ago had 3-4 shunts when tobias opened him up and his protein c test from texas a&m came back stating no shunt so i do not trust that test now

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by TLC

This member has stated that she is 16 years old, and lives in Cali. I know that we all think U of Tenn is the best and it is, but that is a long journey for a 16 year old - don't you think???

Idealy, if the parents are interested in taking her, then they should log on here and we can talk to them about it.

Also, if no one can travel to U of Tenn, they will need to be encouraging and supportive of the Hospitals in Cali, which I am sure are very good too.

the hospital that ronlynn went to wanted 4-6k for the surgery so if money is an issue then it is cheaper to fly to university of tennessee

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by Sashabear0430

Thank you for your support. I still do plan on traveling by car next summer to UT. I will be accompanied by a 23 year old and a 19 year. Possibly another person. My parents cannot afford surgery because they are really struggling with money. I am determined to raise the money to take her to UT and have the surgery done. I know traveling there will be a long way but, I'm also interested in taking a road trip there. That way I can see three different states that I have never seen before and also hopefully save my baby's life. If the surgery works. I interested in talking to someone who has traveled by car to UT from California. And I would like to talk to people who have had the surgery done at UT and there yorkies are doing excellent now.

join Liver_Shunt_And_MVD_Support@yahoogroups.com you will meet alot of owners that went to u of t but ronlynn i believe flew there from california as the surgery here is between 4 and 6k as cali is very expensive for vet care so pm her she is very nice

[TLC]

Originally Posted by dwerten

the hospital that ronlynn went to wanted 4-6k for the surgery so if money is an issue then it is cheaper to fly to university of tennessee

Yes, I understand, but Sasha is only 16 years old, she is a minor, doesn't have a job, and would have to travel across the country to go the U of Tenn, next year after she "saves up the money".

Sasha, you need to speak with both your Vet and your parents and figure out a plan for right now.

As mentioned before, a Protein C test is something you can do right now. It costs about $100, it is a blood test, that your Vet must draw and ship overnight to Cornell University for the results. The results come back in %. They say if the results are 80% and below, it is a VERY good indicator of Liver Shunt. They say if the results are over 80%, the dog *could* be normal or the dog could have MVD. It is hard to truly distinguish between normal and MVD on the Protein C test, but they are pretty darn accurate for Liver Shunt. Here is the info you should print out and bring to your Vet (your General Vet can do this): NYS Animal Health Diagnostic Center at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine

She can be managed right now through Diet, Supplements, Metro (antib) and Lactulose. NO MEAT and NO ORGAN MEAT - EVER

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by TLC

Yes, I understand, but Sasha is only 16 years old, she is a minor, doesn't have a job, and would have to travel across the country to go the U of Tenn, next year after she "saves up the money".

Sasha, you need to speak with both your Vet and your parents and figure out a plan for right now.

As mentioned before, a Protein C test is something you can do right now. It costs about $100, it is a blood test, that your Vet must draw and ship overnight to Cornell University for the results. The results come back in %. They say if the results are 80% and below, it is a VERY good indicator of Liver Shunt. They say if the results are over 80%, the dog *could* be normal or the dog could have MVD. It is hard to truly distinguish between normal and MVD on the Protein C test, but they are pretty darn accurate for Liver Shunt. Here is the info you should print out and bring to your Vet (your General Vet can do this): NYS Animal Health Diagnostic Center at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine

She can be managed right now through Diet, Supplements, Metro (antib) and Lactulose. NO MEAT and NO ORGAN MEAT - EVER

then how come this other dog scout had 3-4 shunts when tobias opened him up and the protein c test came back with results of no shunt - not sure that test is the most accurate and then she will have to do scintigraphy to really know for sure and then it will cost more money -- not liking the protein c test results after helping this liver shunt dog on here - the test was done at texas a & m and he asked to be sent to cornell but ims sent to texas a & m instead so could be the reason for false reading not sure

[TLC]

Originally Posted by dwerten

then how come this other dog scout had 3-4 shunts when tobias opened him up and the protein c test came back with results of no shunt - not sure that test is the most accurate and then she will have to do scintigraphy to really know for sure and then it will cost more money -- not liking the protein c test results after helping this liver shunt dog on here - the test was done at texas a & m and he asked to be sent to cornell but ims sent to texas a & m instead so could be the reason for false reading not sure

hmmmm....IDK - All I know is that the blood has to be overnighted to Cornell for the results, so maybe it wasn't accurate bc they didn't send them to Cornell. Or like you said, it's not as accurate as I think. Although, did Scout have multiple internal shunts?

But back to the problem, Sasha is only 16 and her parents don't have the $$$ or the means to travel to U of Tenn. That's why I suggested that the Vet, and Sasha and her parents talk about a plan to handle what they can in Cali....