My poor Melody

[Ichabob]

Originally Posted by tegamom1

Count me in!

me too.

[jeanm1963]

me three

[mylittlegirls]

Thanks Mary for the information. I'm waiting to call Tom and see who he knows at Davis. I'm trying to make some contact this morning and see the best way to handle in case she requires surgery.

If I were in this situation and helpless, I sure hope someone would be their to give a helping hand. Their are so many good people in this world. For some reason, people that have pets are generally the one's with the biggest hearts.

Thanks again,
God Bless
Kathleen

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by mylittlegirls

Thanks Mary for the information. I'm waiting to call Tom and see who he knows at Davis. I'm trying to make some contact this morning and see the best way to handle in case she requires surgery.

If I were in this situation and helpless, I sure hope someone would be their to give a helping hand. Their are so many good people in this world. For some reason, people that have pets are generally the one's with the biggest hearts.

Thanks again,
God Bless
Kathleen

There is someone else on this list that contacted Dr. Centers (she will be taking her wee one to her) and she responded within a matter of minutes......

I can talk to my vet Dr Hawthorne in Texas since he's on the Veterinary Board with Dr Centers.......

Whatever we can do to help.

[mylittlegirls]

Thanks Mary...

[Patti]

I would be happy to help get this little baby some help. I will keep checking the thread to see what is decided.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by Patti

I would be happy to help get this little baby some help. I will keep checking the thread to see what is decided.

At this point we're Kathleen is taking the lead....to many bodies in the kitchen can get a bit croweded........I'm sure she'll ask for assistance from us when she gets everything straight.

[kjc]

Originally Posted by kjc

after skimming through some of the posts here I need to give some more info: Liver damage can be reversed to some extent with proper medication and feeding. The liver can regenerate and the medications support this regeneration. After you give her the Lactulose, you may see marked improvement within 24-48 hours if not some immediate improvement.

This is what happens: All puppies have a liver shunt. The shunt carries dirty blood past the pups liver to the mom before they are born and the mom's liver does the job of cleaning it. Normally this shunt will close up after birth and the pup will maintain normal liver function. In a Liver shunt pup, it does not close and the some of the dirty blood is taken to the heart or the brain and released back into the circulatory system. The pup becomes toxic after a while depending on the severity of the shunting.

When you feed the pup, bacteria in the gut break down the food and ammonia is released. Normally the liver removes this. In an LS pup the ammonia circulates in the blood stream and can cause symptoms like shaking, incoordination, seizures, head-pressing, etc. To help the pup, antibiotics are given to kill the bacteria and stop the ammonia production. Lactulose is given to absorb/bind the remaining ammonia, so the liver has less work to do remove it. It also hurries the food from the gut so it spends less time in the pup and he poops it out. Then Denemarin (or similar product) is given to support the liver by helping to remove toxins, preventing liver cell death, and promoting liver cell regeneration.

Feeding low protein, vegetable protein foods help by not overworking the liver. It is recommended to feed nothing over 18-19% protein. Hard boiled egg and cottage cheese contain good, easily digested forms of protein and can be added to her food.

So even though she's very sick now, on these medications her health can improve greatly. Some pups with LS are managed solely with proper food and medications, and can live a relatively normal life.

To clarify: Melody needs to be on Amoxicillin, Lactulose, and Denamarin

I wanted to post this info again...
Medications will help, probably more than surgery right now. Melody screams because the ammonia levels in her blood have gone to her brain. This is what causes all the neurological problems Krystal is seeing. This means this pup is very toxic. The AB's and Lactulose will immediately begin to remove and limit the amount of ammonia getting into her circulatory system, and will make surgery safer as she will have cleaner blood when she does have the sx.
Lactulose can also be given as an enema during a seizure to immediately decrease ammonia levels in the bowel.
That Melody have survived this long tells me that she has some part of a functioning liver. The Denamarin helps to protect and regenerate the working parts, while the AB's and Lactulose stop toxins from reaching the liver from the intestines (digesting the food she eats).

And about the surgery: Not all pups are good candidates for surgery. The ones that are are young, and have one shunt located outside of the liver.
A band (made with milk proteins) is placed around the shunt and closes it off as it absorbs fluid. This takes about 3 weeks to happen. Then, if the liver doesn't throw another shunt, all should be good. If the liver produces another shunt, surgery will need to be performed again.
The pups with multiple shunts, and/or internal shunts (inside the liver itself) or MVD (Hepatic Microvascular Dysplasia) are not candidates for surgery. Tests to determine the type of shunting in a pup runs between $500-$1000, and surgery runs between $1400-$4000. The U of T tries to keep the price down as this is such a common problem, and it adds to their research.

Hope this helps...

Also link to breeding info that has been discovered so far through this research: The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine - Liver Shunt Research

[YorkieMom6]

I continue to hold Melody and her Mom in my thoughts and prayers, as well as all of those trying so hard to help her.


Huggs

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

I just got off of the telephone with one rescue and they DO ask people to ship to TN since they don't have anyone to do the surgery in California.

NOW...here is my thinking. If a group has agreed to take Melody, then perhaps someone on YT can fly WITH her in a cabin!

The group I spoke with does not work with anyone in CA.....just a clarification!

I did not say no one does them in CA...sorry that was not worded better. Liver shunts are done all over the US.

I am happy someone is helping her. It would be nice if, in the future, people communicate that so people know.

Thank you for now letting people know. Glad the puppy is going to be cared for..that is all anyone wanted.

By the way, there is another liver shunt puppy that needs help. Her owner has been on YT begging for help for some time. A young girl...I forget her info, but maybe someone else knows and can post it so people can help her as well.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

At this point we're Kathleen is taking the lead....to many bodies in the kitchen can get a bit croweded........I'm sure she'll ask for assistance from us when she gets everything straight.

Agreed.

[Jinxiee]

I am so sorry for not responding I just been spending a lot of time with Melody and making sure she is doing okay.

I am in serious awe over all of you with the advice and all the kindness on these forums.

Kathleen has been so understanding and wonderful. She has helped so much already. She is so amazing and just talking to her over the phone has lifted my spirits. I seriously can not thank her enough.

Melody is sleeping all cuddled up on my bed with Lilly. They love each other so much and play when Melody is able to. I am so blessed to have these two girls and I want Melody to be healthy so she can live a long life with Lilly. Melody is tired from all the playing she did with Lilly this morning.

I just can not thank you all for your concerns for my tiny Melody. I will call her vet in the morning and get those medications asap.

I will try my best to keep you all updated.

[ladyjane]

I will keep you and Melody in my thoughts and prayers.

[YorkieShadow]

Originally Posted by mylittlegirls

Update for Melody:

I was able to speak with Melody's vet this morning and Krystal will be calling first thing in the morning for the necessary medications.
While talking with her vet, we both agreed that removing Melody from her current environment would be more stressful on Melody. She has bonded with the other puppy and the owner and being taken from them at this time would probably do more harm then good.

We are just going to get her stable for now and then think about the next step. I read from one of the posts above that they don't do liver stunts in California? They do in fact do them. You just need to know who to contact. Someone posted UC Davis,this might be a good possibility. My cousin was a teaching oncologist and I'm sure he knows someone that could help.

I'm going to call the specialist in Arcadia in the morning and see what he feels about treatment. This doctor does it all. If anyone can work on LS, he's the one to see. This guy is so good, he works on every type of animal. It doesn't matter if it's Tigers or the small of animals. He is known across this country because of his reputation.

I'll keep you posted on all updates but please keep in mind, Krystal is very upset and needs our support for now. Think how you would feel if you were facing this situation. It's sad but right now it's in God's hands and he work out the way it's suppose too.

Let's all just say some prayers that Melody condition will improve with the medication for now.

Kathleen

I am so happy to see this update. I was able to sleep a little better last night after reading your post to help, just know this girl now has a chance. thank you very very much for stepping up.

I do agree that the pup is better off with the owner, taking her from the home she knows would of been so much more stress on her.
I know a rescue would of helped her, but this is so much better on the pup. again thank you.

[wemple2]

I am here and willing to help in anyway I can...my prayers are with Melody, that she will be able to live a long and happy life, and with Krystal, that she has the strength and courage to get Melody the medical help she so desperately needs. I pray for a happy ending to this sad story...a miracle.