has anyone heard of portosystemic shunt and AAI? - Page 12 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

BLEU BOY BARBER · 11-17-2009, 05:33 PM

Hello!

I had a situation come up which kept me from being here but I just read all the updated posts and I have to say please please please get a digital X ray. I am so fearful of your baby going in water as it may reinjur or make the injury worse. Remember speaking with me on the phone I told you the vets all thought BLEU BOY BARBER had LIVER SHUNT. It was the X RAY that showed them differently. I can also tell you from experience you are going to have great days where your baby is acting perfect. Then it will be a hard fall. Please be ultra careful and sensitive to her neck. I think she needs a X RAY and I think it needs to be done immediately. I am more than willing to talk with you again. My heart truly goes out to you and I know you may be confused but Take it from me I have been there done that and live today to share the story to only try and help and keep you from going down a longer road than what you have to go down .... Please consider a digital X RAY asap I truly beg you to do this from everything I have read about your baby. I am no vet but BLEU BOYS case is being taught all over the world today and I have done so much research and I have also met other yorkie moms and talk to them often. I will be a advocate and help as much as I can but it is all up to you and the decision you make for your little one. I know from talking to you YOU HAVE HER BEST INTEREST AT HEART. Please get a digital X ray! I think it will clear up any mis diagnosis. Im here if you need me I will say a prayer for you and your little one tonight and if you are ever in doubt like I shared with you before GO THROUGH YT and read everything I have posted my story and your story almost match to a TEE this is why I am so adament about you seeking more help. I am not sure who Olga is but unless she has dealt with this specifically it is going to be harder for her to know how to treat. I work in the medical field and I am here to tell you IT IS A PROCESS OF ELIMINATION when it comes to a diagnosis. I also want to tell you when BLEU BOY had his surgery there were only 52 cases in the world that was not even 2 years ago .. This is a new found diagnosis and not many know about it nor do they know what they are talking about... Always research and get second opinions talk to other owners that have experienced the same symptoms and from there you will know you have done all you know to do

HUGS
Vicki

megansmomma · 11-17-2009, 07:18 PM

I just read through this entire thread and I would now like to put my 2 cents into this as well. After looking at the pictures, the steroids not working, the legs, the crying, I have to say that TEAGAN comes to my mind! At first we thought it was a disk in his spine then AAI but actually it turned out to be the ligament was severed in his neck from his injury. Look at these pictures and video.......

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...old-puppy.html

When he was xrayed it did not show the injury and it was not discovered until he was actually in surgery for a possible AAI repair. I wonder if it is possible this is what happened in the fall?

YTNR has Teagan now and after surgery he made a full recovery. I could find out who the surgeon was that did his surgery if you would like.

dwerten · 11-17-2009, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randiik

the vet thinks her bat is elevated enough to have concern for her liver function. olga thinks so as well and suggested the food that i am going to getg today. i am special ordering the ld and picking up the hepatic from petsmart since they have a big bag in stock and she needs more then pedisure now. her bat was 34/39 and that is why she is going to be on the diet.

i know that she cant be on steriods forever but she is improving and hopefully will continue. its a slow process from what i have been told.

i will update everyday and again i cant tell you how much you all have helped me.

was your dog on steroids when they did the bat as that would have elevated the bat- I think the liver function is the least of your worries as stated before and i have never heard of a liver shunt dog screaming in pain

I know olga knows alot about liver shunt as have been on a group with her for years but this does not sound like liver shunt and those numbers are not over 100

dwerten · 11-17-2009, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randiik

good morning YT

roriee is doing even a little better this morning. she is so alert and is so good when i feed her and give her meds. i have to get her perscription food today but i have to find it first. i went to pet smart yesterday and they do not carry the LD for dogs or the hepatic in a small bag. they had the huge bag but i cant get that until tomorrow so hopefully today i can find it in smaller amountrs until payday..

he did not take a xray. olga thinks that unless the vet has done this type of xray before that unnecessary manipulation of her neck could cause a very bad outcome. so she is still wearing the collar and i am going to do some physical therapy on her tomorrow.. putting her in warm water. holding her up and letting her legs paddle like she is trying to swim.. right now we are just trying to get her neck stable.

she is improving.. very very slow but a steady improvement.. everyday i see little signs that i didnt see the day before or at all last week. last night she wagged her tail. she hasnt done that since i took her to the vet. i cried with joy!

she walks/stubbles out of her bed to get to my arms... that is still the only place she wants to be.. i have said it before but we are very attached to each other. in better days she is always by my side no matter what i am doing.

i have a really good playpen in the garage that i am going to bring in for her. she has a bit more room and it is soft. once she gets stronger that will be where she can move around more freely.

the treatment plan is this

keeping with the steriods 2x a day it is prednisolone.
amoxi drops not sure the dosage getting those today
LD perscription food or royal carm hypatic (sp wrong)
keeping her collar on her at all times
rest.. lots of rest
love so much love.. all my complete and total love for her
physical therpy and movement of her limbs.

i have said it before but i dont know what i would have done without this community through this..all my worst nightmares came true this last week. i just want her to be the happy healty puppy and out of pain.

she doesnt yelp as much now.. maybe once yesterday and so far not today at all. i am just careful to support her head and neck all the time..

i do not think at this point and time giving her to a rescue is the best for her. as long as she keeps improving with my careful care then she is happiest with me.

i still need to get her to athens for the xray.. but the doctro who does it has to have done it before. her neck is to fragile to let someone do it that hasnt done it before.

ok thank you again for being there for me and i will continue to update everyday..

OMG DO NOT DO THE WATER THERAPY PLEASE

my dog injured her leg and has lp 4 in back both legs and had a torn acl we fill and i was told to NOT DO ANY WATER THERAPY AS THEY WORK THEIR LEGS TOO MUCH AND RISK FURTHER INJURY. they told me she could walk in the bath tub with water but NO WAY put strain on her leg with water therapy - you will hurt her more if she has AAI do not do that this girl needs to get a digital xray ASAP - Please i keep saying she needs to see a neurologist who can do the digital xray to see what is going on with the neck THIS IS NOT LIVER SHUNT

My dog had bile acids higher than yours with NO ISSUES NO PAIN NOTHING and she is on temarilp - you could do low protein to bring numbers down but that is not this dogs problem of why she is in pain

Olga is very sharp so i am sure she is helping alot but even she is saying a digital xray is needed just as the rest of us

imaketodaycount · 11-18-2009, 06:18 AM

This is my first post in YT but I have been a member for while now... the reason that I am posting is that I have an AAI pup that had surgery this past January, thanks to the help of Val and Vicki! Please understand that the technology that is available now to diagnose AAI is fairly new and many vets are not aware of what AAI is enough to recognize it. I took Bailey to 4 vets before she had a digital x-ray done and was recommended to go to a neurosurgeon. The neurosurgeon found, in layman's terms... that the hook from the spine that connects to her skull did not form. She was literally a "bobble-head", her skull was not connected to her spine by the bones, only the muscles and everything else kept her going!!! By the time I took her to the neuro she had lost all feeling in her back legs. It was a miracle that she lived for a year without severe injury or paralysis. There are good days and bad days in how the pups act but the problem does not heal itself if it is AAI.

My Bailey is a miracle! She had the surgery on a Weds. and was trotting across the room on Thursday! The neuro was so amazed at how well she did that I was able to take her home on Friday!!! She is a healthy, beautiful, sweet baby now and I am grateful every day for the help I received here!!!

I have learned SO MUCH in the last year about AAI and have also helped several other fur-baby moms get the help needed for their pups. Please feel free to contact me if you need help getting her in for the x-ray. We all know how precious these little babies are and how much they mean to us, please know that we are trying to help you and are here if you need us!

randiik · 11-18-2009, 09:39 AM

hi everyone

i have not put her in water yet and since i read these posts i will not do that.

she is better today.. much better.. still i have her collar on her and will not take it off for any reason. she walked a little bit today but i only let her to exercise her legs. she is on amoxi drops and steriods still.. she is eating hepatic ls and likes it ok. she is alert and wanted to play with her stuffed toy for the first time since all this has happened.. to get the xray i will take her to ga vet specialists this weekend to have it done. i am keeping with her treatment because she keeps improving but i agree totally for the xray.. its a matter of funds and i get paid friday.. i will be able to pay at least half down for the xray then. ..i am trying to do the best for her. she is the light of my life.. she is on my lap now.. thats the only place she wants to be. i do have to get ready for work and also call the ga vet specialst to see what i need to do to get her that xray. will check here when i get home tonight..

Ladymom · 11-18-2009, 10:11 AM

Just make sure that the GA vets specialists do the digital xray like Vicki suggested. Otherwise, you'll just be wasting your money. I have also found private specialists to be much more expensive than the vet school so I'd ask about costs upfront since a few people have offered you transportation to Athens.

I'm glad she is a little more comfortable and you are able to be with her.

randiik · 11-18-2009, 10:19 AM

if i could get a ride to athens on saturday then i would take her. but i am not sure if i could get a ride. if i could then thats where i want to go.

imaketodaycount · 11-18-2009, 10:55 AM

This is good news! We will put the word out to help find you a ride to Athens! I'm so glad she is feeling better! Hugs to you both!!!

Elle · 11-18-2009, 12:26 PM

This post is a great example of yorkie moms working together to help a needy yorkie. I know it's your pleasure to help out. It doesn't take away from the fact that a handful of people have stepped up to the plate.

THANK YOU EVERYONE. THIS IS GREAT!!!!!!

I HOPE THIS BABY GETS TREATED & LIVES THE LIFE MOM WANTS. I'M SORRY YOUR FACING SO MUCH HEARTACHE AND FEAR WITH YOU BABY.

randiik · 11-18-2009, 09:08 PM

hi everyone.. i got home from work and roriee was in her bed next to my roomate and i got her and fed her.. she ate ALOT! and she pooped today 2x!! i wanted to frame that first poop!!!

gave her evening meds and we are getting ready to go to sleep..

i might have a ride to athens; the girl who sold me roriee said that she would take me sat morning... i hope that she doesnt change her mind.. she is my ex-roommate and she has roriee's mother and father... sissy and jessy are her dogs and sissy is the silkie that had roriee. she is concerned about my baby of course.. she got really close to roriee and all sissy's pups.. they were all so darn cute!

none of the other pups are having problems that she knows of. only one person sends her pictures and that one is at least 6lbs and very healthy..

roriee is trying to walk but she is very unstable walking.. she actually let me wash her face tonight!! that is such a improvement as she would not let me near her face on saturday.. i have her collar on her all the time.. when i got home from work she had worked it off but i put it back on. i do not trust her not to wear it.. i am to scared that she would hurt it.
i also have a playpen that i am going to get out of the garage and its a good one.. its soft and it rolls so i can put it in my room or whereever i am. but mostly she is in my arms.. thats where she wants to be

my sweet wonderful little baby girl.. i just hate that she is going through all this. she just looks at me to make her better and i tell her that i am trying.

this little baby has stolen my heart and soul. i love her so much. she is the best thing that has ever happened to me and i am trying so hard to help her get well.

Ladymom · 11-18-2009, 09:15 PM

Randi, it is obvious how much you love your Roiree. She is a very special little girl and lucky to be loved so much.

I am so glad you may have a ride to Athens. I hate to see you waste your money on local vets.

randiik · 11-18-2009, 09:21 PM

i am praying that she does take me.. i will know for sure by friday.

yes i really dont want to go to ga vet specialists but if i cant get to athens this weekend i have to do the xray somewhere and they are the only ones that can do it. thats what i have heard anyway.

imaketodaycount · 11-19-2009, 09:06 AM

Hi Randi! I'm so glad to hear that you have a ride lined up and I will pray that it comes through for you! Sounds like she is doing better and that is certainly good news!

One little warning about the playpen... you might want to put a net or blanket over the top to be on the safe side. When Bailey had her AAI surgery, everyone kept telling me to put her in a playpen to keep her safe so I did. Her surgery was on Weds and I brought her home on Friday. The doctors said that she needed to be left alone in a quiet environment as much as possible to let her body rest. Of course, she wanted to be with me constantly. Later in the afternoon, I put her in the playpen and closed the bedroom door. She barked and barked and barked and then I heard this "yelp" and then more barking... decided I needed to go see what the yelp was about; I opened the door and there she was standing on the floor wagging her tail as happy as could be! I literally felt my stomach come up to my throat and could not believe what just happened!!!! She had jumped out of the playpen!!!! Never had she ever jumped that high, not to mention she JUST HAD NECK SURGERY!!!! Thank God, she did not get hurt or damage the surgery but that was the scare of my life! I moved her into a large crate after that one and set up a video camera connected to the computer so I could watch her from the living room.

Lesson learned, while the playpen is a good, soft environment.... NEVER underestimate your yorkie!!!

randiik · 11-20-2009, 12:50 PM

LOL that is a very high jump indeed! at least for roriee it would be. i am putting bumper pads around as well. the ride is confirmed for tomorrow and we are going.. i did call the university and they mentioned that they would keep her until monday to read the xray and i balked at that.. i said that i wanted them to take the xray and have the neurologist read it on monday but roriee comes home with me. that is where she is doing much better and even tried to play with her toys this morning.. she is doing much better with me

wish me luck.. wish roriee luck.. wish roriee more then then me thats for sure. she is the one that is so sick.

11-17-2009, 05:33 PM	#166
BLEU BOY BARBER Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 1,935	Hello! I had a situation come up which kept me from being here but I just read all the updated posts and I have to say please please please get a digital X ray. I am so fearful of your baby going in water as it may reinjur or make the injury worse. Remember speaking with me on the phone I told you the vets all thought BLEU BOY BARBER had LIVER SHUNT. It was the X RAY that showed them differently. I can also tell you from experience you are going to have great days where your baby is acting perfect. Then it will be a hard fall. Please be ultra careful and sensitive to her neck. I think she needs a X RAY and I think it needs to be done immediately. I am more than willing to talk with you again. My heart truly goes out to you and I know you may be confused but Take it from me I have been there done that and live today to share the story to only try and help and keep you from going down a longer road than what you have to go down .... Please consider a digital X RAY asap I truly beg you to do this from everything I have read about your baby. I am no vet but BLEU BOYS case is being taught all over the world today and I have done so much research and I have also met other yorkie moms and talk to them often. I will be a advocate and help as much as I can but it is all up to you and the decision you make for your little one. I know from talking to you YOU HAVE HER BEST INTEREST AT HEART. Please get a digital X ray! I think it will clear up any mis diagnosis. Im here if you need me I will say a prayer for you and your little one tonight and if you are ever in doubt like I shared with you before GO THROUGH YT and read everything I have posted my story and your story almost match to a TEE this is why I am so adament about you seeking more help. I am not sure who Olga is but unless she has dealt with this specifically it is going to be harder for her to know how to treat. I work in the medical field and I am here to tell you IT IS A PROCESS OF ELIMINATION when it comes to a diagnosis. I also want to tell you when BLEU BOY had his surgery there were only 52 cases in the world that was not even 2 years ago .. This is a new found diagnosis and not many know about it nor do they know what they are talking about... Always research and get second opinions talk to other owners that have experienced the same symptoms and from there you will know you have done all you know to do HUGS Vicki __________________ *Spoiled Rotten Mama's Boy* *Bleu Boy 's Sophie* We Are Wrapped Around Your Little Paws Bleu Boy Barber Dedicated Atlanto Axial Subluxation Paw Parents Last edited by BLEU BOY BARBER; 11-17-2009 at 05:35 PM.

11-17-2009, 07:18 PM	#167
megansmomma Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: S. W. Suburbs of Chicago, IL Posts: 12,235	I just read through this entire thread and I would now like to put my 2 cents into this as well. After looking at the pictures, the steroids not working, the legs, the crying, I have to say that TEAGAN comes to my mind! At first we thought it was a disk in his spine then AAI but actually it turned out to be the ligament was severed in his neck from his injury. Look at these pictures and video....... http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...old-puppy.html When he was xrayed it did not show the injury and it was not discovered until he was actually in surgery for a possible AAI repair. I wonder if it is possible this is what happened in the fall? YTNR has Teagan now and after surgery he made a full recovery. I could find out who the surgeon was that did his surgery if you would like. __________________ “Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.” Mark Twain

11-18-2009, 10:11 AM	#172
Ladymom Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 8,317	Just make sure that the GA vets specialists do the digital xray like Vicki suggested. Otherwise, you'll just be wasting your money. I have also found private specialists to be much more expensive than the vet school so I'd ask about costs upfront since a few people have offered you transportation to Athens. I'm glad she is a little more comfortable and you are able to be with her. __________________ http://www.myladysdogbows.com/ http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref...6213341?ref=nf

11-18-2009, 09:15 PM	#177
Ladymom Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 8,317	Randi, it is obvious how much you love your Roiree. She is a very special little girl and lucky to be loved so much. I am so glad you may have a ride to Athens. I hate to see you waste your money on local vets. __________________ http://www.myladysdogbows.com/ http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref...6213341?ref=nf

11-18-2009, 06:18 AM	#170
imaketodaycount YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Murrieta, CA, USA Posts: 7	This is my first post in YT but I have been a member for while now... the reason that I am posting is that I have an AAI pup that had surgery this past January, thanks to the help of Val and Vicki! Please understand that the technology that is available now to diagnose AAI is fairly new and many vets are not aware of what AAI is enough to recognize it. I took Bailey to 4 vets before she had a digital x-ray done and was recommended to go to a neurosurgeon. The neurosurgeon found, in layman's terms... that the hook from the spine that connects to her skull did not form. She was literally a "bobble-head", her skull was not connected to her spine by the bones, only the muscles and everything else kept her going!!! By the time I took her to the neuro she had lost all feeling in her back legs. It was a miracle that she lived for a year without severe injury or paralysis. There are good days and bad days in how the pups act but the problem does not heal itself if it is AAI. My Bailey is a miracle! She had the surgery on a Weds. and was trotting across the room on Thursday! The neuro was so amazed at how well she did that I was able to take her home on Friday!!! She is a healthy, beautiful, sweet baby now and I am grateful every day for the help I received here!!! I have learned SO MUCH in the last year about AAI and have also helped several other fur-baby moms get the help needed for their pups. Please feel free to contact me if you need help getting her in for the x-ray. We all know how precious these little babies are and how much they mean to us, please know that we are trying to help you and are here if you need us!

11-18-2009, 09:39 AM	#171
randiik Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: marietta, ga Posts: 99	hi everyone i have not put her in water yet and since i read these posts i will not do that. she is better today.. much better.. still i have her collar on her and will not take it off for any reason. she walked a little bit today but i only let her to exercise her legs. she is on amoxi drops and steriods still.. she is eating hepatic ls and likes it ok. she is alert and wanted to play with her stuffed toy for the first time since all this has happened.. to get the xray i will take her to ga vet specialists this weekend to have it done. i am keeping with her treatment because she keeps improving but i agree totally for the xray.. its a matter of funds and i get paid friday.. i will be able to pay at least half down for the xray then. ..i am trying to do the best for her. she is the light of my life.. she is on my lap now.. thats the only place she wants to be. i do have to get ready for work and also call the ga vet specialst to see what i need to do to get her that xray. will check here when i get home tonight..

11-18-2009, 10:19 AM	#173
randiik Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: marietta, ga Posts: 99	if i could get a ride to athens on saturday then i would take her. but i am not sure if i could get a ride. if i could then thats where i want to go.

11-18-2009, 10:55 AM	#174
imaketodaycount YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Murrieta, CA, USA Posts: 7	This is good news! We will put the word out to help find you a ride to Athens! I'm so glad she is feeling better! Hugs to you both!!!

11-18-2009, 12:26 PM	#175
Elle YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 881	This post is a great example of yorkie moms working together to help a needy yorkie. I know it's your pleasure to help out. It doesn't take away from the fact that a handful of people have stepped up to the plate. THANK YOU EVERYONE. THIS IS GREAT!!!!!! I HOPE THIS BABY GETS TREATED & LIVES THE LIFE MOM WANTS. I'M SORRY YOUR FACING SO MUCH HEARTACHE AND FEAR WITH YOU BABY.

11-18-2009, 09:08 PM	#176
randiik Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: marietta, ga Posts: 99	hi everyone.. i got home from work and roriee was in her bed next to my roomate and i got her and fed her.. she ate ALOT! and she pooped today 2x!! i wanted to frame that first poop!!! gave her evening meds and we are getting ready to go to sleep.. i might have a ride to athens; the girl who sold me roriee said that she would take me sat morning... i hope that she doesnt change her mind.. she is my ex-roommate and she has roriee's mother and father... sissy and jessy are her dogs and sissy is the silkie that had roriee. she is concerned about my baby of course.. she got really close to roriee and all sissy's pups.. they were all so darn cute! none of the other pups are having problems that she knows of. only one person sends her pictures and that one is at least 6lbs and very healthy.. roriee is trying to walk but she is very unstable walking.. she actually let me wash her face tonight!! that is such a improvement as she would not let me near her face on saturday.. i have her collar on her all the time.. when i got home from work she had worked it off but i put it back on. i do not trust her not to wear it.. i am to scared that she would hurt it. i also have a playpen that i am going to get out of the garage and its a good one.. its soft and it rolls so i can put it in my room or whereever i am. but mostly she is in my arms.. thats where she wants to be my sweet wonderful little baby girl.. i just hate that she is going through all this. she just looks at me to make her better and i tell her that i am trying. this little baby has stolen my heart and soul. i love her so much. she is the best thing that has ever happened to me and i am trying so hard to help her get well.

11-18-2009, 09:21 PM	#178
randiik Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: marietta, ga Posts: 99	i am praying that she does take me.. i will know for sure by friday. yes i really dont want to go to ga vet specialists but if i cant get to athens this weekend i have to do the xray somewhere and they are the only ones that can do it. thats what i have heard anyway.

11-19-2009, 09:06 AM	#179
imaketodaycount YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Murrieta, CA, USA Posts: 7	Hi Randi! I'm so glad to hear that you have a ride lined up and I will pray that it comes through for you! Sounds like she is doing better and that is certainly good news! One little warning about the playpen... you might want to put a net or blanket over the top to be on the safe side. When Bailey had her AAI surgery, everyone kept telling me to put her in a playpen to keep her safe so I did. Her surgery was on Weds and I brought her home on Friday. The doctors said that she needed to be left alone in a quiet environment as much as possible to let her body rest. Of course, she wanted to be with me constantly. Later in the afternoon, I put her in the playpen and closed the bedroom door. She barked and barked and barked and then I heard this "yelp" and then more barking... decided I needed to go see what the yelp was about; I opened the door and there she was standing on the floor wagging her tail as happy as could be! I literally felt my stomach come up to my throat and could not believe what just happened!!!! She had jumped out of the playpen!!!! Never had she ever jumped that high, not to mention she JUST HAD NECK SURGERY!!!! Thank God, she did not get hurt or damage the surgery but that was the scare of my life! I moved her into a large crate after that one and set up a video camera connected to the computer so I could watch her from the living room. Lesson learned, while the playpen is a good, soft environment.... NEVER underestimate your yorkie!!!

11-20-2009, 12:50 PM	#180
randiik Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: marietta, ga Posts: 99	LOL that is a very high jump indeed! at least for roriee it would be. i am putting bumper pads around as well. the ride is confirmed for tomorrow and we are going.. i did call the university and they mentioned that they would keep her until monday to read the xray and i balked at that.. i said that i wanted them to take the xray and have the neurologist read it on monday but roriee comes home with me. that is where she is doing much better and even tried to play with her toys this morning.. she is doing much better with me wish me luck.. wish roriee luck.. wish roriee more then then me thats for sure. she is the one that is so sick.