I need help!

[chattiesmom]

Just finished reading your thread -- I am so sorry that your sweet little Bella has been diagnosed with LS. I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by mly

UPDATE:

I just got off the phone with Bella's vet and she said unfortunately, Bella's bile acid test came in high so Bella's been diagnose with a liver shunt. She wants to start Bella off with some meds (forgot what they were) but still recommends us to see a neurologist to see if it's a single blood vessel or a bunch of little ones and to see if we can have surgery. I'm glad we figured this out so I can start her off with something and I'll need to call back to the two neurological specialist to compare prices.

More research for me..this time, for liver shunt.

Well, at least you do have an answer! There are lots of people on here with information about LS. I personally would rather deal with that than some of the other things that were mentioned. I am sorry, though, that she has anything at all.

I will continue to pray for her and for you. I know how upsetting it is to have a sick pupster.

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by mly

UPDATE:

I just got off the phone with Bella's vet and she said unfortunately, Bella's bile acid test came in high so Bella's been diagnose with a liver shunt. She wants to start Bella off with some meds (forgot what they were) but still recommends us to see a neurologist to see if it's a single blood vessel or a bunch of little ones and to see if we can have surgery. I'm glad we figured this out so I can start her off with something and I'll need to call back to the two neurological specialist to compare prices.

More research for me..this time, for liver shunt.

what were pre and post bile acid numbers ?

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by mly

UPDATE:

I just got off the phone with Bella's vet and she said unfortunately, Bella's bile acid test came in high so Bella's been diagnose with a liver shunt. She wants to start Bella off with some meds (forgot what they were) but still recommends us to see a neurologist to see if it's a single blood vessel or a bunch of little ones and to see if we can have surgery. I'm glad we figured this out so I can start her off with something and I'll need to call back to the two neurological specialist to compare prices.

More research for me..this time, for liver shunt.

join this group asap they will help you alot - if post biles were not over 100 it may be mvd - post the videos on this group as they all have liver shunt dogs and they can let you know if they have seen this behavior. I have not seen a liver shunt dog do this though but i think someone posted here they have though so maybe they can help out with this too. My dd has mvd which is bile acids less than 100

Liver_Shunt_And_MVD_Support : Liver Shunt & MVD/HMD Support

[dwerten]

the meds are probably lactulose, denamarin which is milk thistle and sam-e - is my guess and hill's L/D food which is a low protein food but please post numbers as there are alot of us with experience with liver shunt and mvd

[cj125]

Bella is such a sweetie. I'll be keeping her in my prayers.

[YorkieMom6]

I hate to hear the news but I am glad that you know what it is and can access some good knowledge and experience along with a generous dose of caring here on YT. I will keep you and Bella both in my thoughts and prayers.

Huggs

[Theodore]

Bella is adorable on her little walk. Hope she has the best treatment in town and is better soon. p.s. congrats on your pregnancy. xo

[mly]

Thank you all for your support.

The vet didn't tell me what the bile acid numbers were and unfortunately, I'm so new to all this that I had no clue on what kind of questions to ask the vet. I will make sure to call them back on Monday to check on the numbers though.

Bella's on lactulose (3cc every 8hrs) and clavamox (1cc every 12 hours for 21 days). I can't believe how expensive her meds were. The lactulose was $22 for 1oz which would only last for 4 days. Can I only get this at the vet? She's also on prescription wet food so I'm worried she might have runny poo since I've been feeding her dry.

I also joined the group in yahoo but it's still pending.

[bchgirl]

While the bile acid test determines how well the liver is functioning...it can not provide a diagnosis....it only indicates her liver is not filtering properly. Additional testing needs to be done. The easiest and least expensive would be to have a protein C test performed...which does indicate shunts and from there a scintigraphy, ultrasound or exploratory surgery would need to be done.

Many vets are not very knowledgable when it comes to LS and you may wish to give him Dr. Tobias' contact information.

Faculty

LS is not a death sentence...she can live a long healthy life as long as it's treated.

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by mly

Thank you all for your support.

The vet didn't tell me what the bile acid numbers were and unfortunately, I'm so new to all this that I had no clue on what kind of questions to ask the vet. I will make sure to call them back on Monday to check on the numbers though.

Bella's on lactulose (3cc every 8hrs) and clavamox (1cc every 12 hours for 21 days). I can't believe how expensive her meds were. The lactulose was $22 for 1oz which would only last for 4 days. Can I only get this at the vet? She's also on prescription wet food so I'm worried she might have runny poo since I've been feeding her dry.

I also joined the group in yahoo but it's still pending.

you can get from petmeds.com with a prescription

no denamarin? hmmm usually milk thistle and sam-e are recommended. I really am curious to see the bats as if below 100 not so sure this is the cause but hopefully in posting videos to group they can give better advice as they see symptoms all the time. My gut still says this is more neurological even though liver shunt can cause things like seizures I have not heard of dog tilting head to side like that or falling on side She could have mvd if bats are high but still have neurological - just throwing it out there and hopefully others can better help if they have seen this in a liver shunt dog.

You may want to consult dr centers at cornell university as some say she does free consults and she can review the blood tests and videos as well

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by bchgirl

While the bile acid test determines how well the liver is functioning...it can not provide a diagnosis....it only indicates her liver is not filtering properly. Additional testing needs to be done. The easiest and least expensive would be to have a protein C test performed...which does indicate shunts and from there a scintigraphy, ultrasound or exploratory surgery would need to be done.

Many vets are not very knowledgable when it comes to LS and you may wish to give him Dr. Tobias' contact information.

Faculty

LS is not a death sentence...she can live a long healthy life as long as it's treated.

agree not a death sentence but i am just not thrilled with protein c test as have helped others with liver issues and the protein c test said not shunt and when scintigraphy done and dr tobias opened them up they had multiple shunts yet protein c said no shunt so not real thrilled with that test after that happened.

have you seen a liver shunt dog with this head tilt? just curious as i have not usually after eating they are spaced out and act odd and have seizures and have seen videos of this but this is a new one to me

I still would take everything and consult with neurologist but first want to see the bats to see how bad they were

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by mly

Thank you all for your support.

The vet didn't tell me what the bile acid numbers were and unfortunately, I'm so new to all this that I had no clue on what kind of questions to ask the vet. I will make sure to call them back on Monday to check on the numbers though.

Bella's on lactulose (3cc every 8hrs) and clavamox (1cc every 12 hours for 21 days). I can't believe how expensive her meds were. The lactulose was $22 for 1oz which would only last for 4 days. Can I only get this at the vet? She's also on prescription wet food so I'm worried she might have runny poo since I've been feeding her dry.

I also joined the group in yahoo but it's still pending.

is the food L/D?

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by bchgirl

So the bile acid test has not been done?

Blindness is one or both eyes is a liver shunt symptom as are the others you mentioned. A friend's dog was the first I'd heard of blindness. Fortunately this is a temporary problem.

Portosystemic Shunts FAQ

Best wishes to Bella

Oh good it was your post as knew someone said something about blindness - so did your friends dog head tilt like this?

[bchgirl]

Originally Posted by dwerten

agree not a death sentence but i am just not thrilled with protein c test as have helped others with liver issues and the protein c test said not shunt and when scintigraphy done and dr tobias opened them up they had multiple shunts yet protein c said no shunt so not real thrilled with that test after that happened.

have you seen a liver shunt dog with this head tilt? just curious as i have not usually after eating they are spaced out and act odd and have seizures and have seen videos of this but this is a new one to me

I still would take everything and consult with neurologist but first want to see the bats to see how bad they were

The friend's dog I spoke of earlier...presented far differently from any other dog with a shunt that I'd read or heard of. So much so... shunt was not initially the first consideration from others really knowledgeable. Bella's symptoms are quite similar. His symptoms were not brought on by eating either. They began after receiving vaccinations, prior to that he was asymptotic.