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02-17-2010, 06:01 PM | #1 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Marshfield, WI, USA
Posts: 35
| Frustrated, need advice! Hi everyone! I have been on here on and off- and am shocked to see how many yorkies have liver issues- Lilly had her 3rd bile acids done yesterday and unfortunately despite diet and lactulose they are going up. Pre was around 11 and Post was 98.7 We were managing medically only as last year her post was in the 50's. ALT and AST are normal. She has had no S/Sx clinically. They had a hard time getting her to eat her food and had to give her something else- I am not sure what. She is currently on the soft L/D mixed with hard L/D diet. I give her a little cottage cheese and sweet potatoes at times to get her to take the lactulose. My vet is looking into prices and more information from UW Madison for further testing- If we go that route. I really hate to put her through such invasive procedures as she is only 3 1/2 pounds. I NEED ADVICE PLEASE! Lilly is just shy of two, and is our baby!! Anyone have any guidance? Thanks
__________________ LillyDakota |
Welcome Guest! | |
02-17-2010, 07:04 PM | #2 |
I♥PeekTinkySaph&Finny Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Posts: 18,866
| Is she on anything like Denemarin or Hepato Support? This helps the liver regenerate and helps the liver rid itself of toxins. Is she on a high enough dose of Lactulose? Do you put it on her food? Are you feeding her 3-4 times daily with Lactulose on the food each time she eats? Do you have her on any Probiotics? These help with digestion. Had she been treated with a course of antibiotics at all since the liver issue was discovered? Is she exhibiting any signs of Urinary Tract Infection? Increased urination, increased water consumption?
__________________ Kat Chloe Lizzy PeekABooTinkerbell SapphireInfinity |
02-17-2010, 07:31 PM | #3 | |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Marshfield, WI, USA
Posts: 35
| Quote:
__________________ LillyDakota | |
02-17-2010, 08:52 PM | #4 | |
I♥PeekTinkySaph&Finny Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Posts: 18,866
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Portosystemic Shunts FAQ I had a problem with mine getting into my cats food. That absolutely needs to stop. I usually free feed my cats, but now if I'm not in the room, their dish gets put up. The high protein is too toxic for a liver affected pup. You could always ask your vet to call the U of Tenn for recommendations. My vet did, and she said they were extremely helpful. My pup's BAT was 40/126 in June, but now her ALT/AST are off the charts. They recommended bringing her in... they would do any further tests and Surgery if necessary. They said many times diagnostic tests need to be redone, and some places charge more to have the results sent to another vet/clinic. So in summary, my advice would be to talk to your vet about trying the things I mentioned that you are not doing yet, get more strict with her diet, watch for symptoms of H.E., and develope a plan if the new stategy doesn't work. With her BAT Postprandial being under 100, it normally means MVD (symptoms the same as a shunt but no shunt found), over 100 = liver shunt. These are the general guidlines from U of Tenn as they have tested more dogs than anyone, and basically, that is how the results turn out. MVD is inoperable, so meds and diet would be the way to go. Recheck her BAT in 6 months to see if any improvement. If BAT Postprandial goes over 100, consider surgery to repair it. Also, join Yahoo groups MVD/LiverShunt... very informative and helpful group of folks. Good Luck... I hope I have been of assistance. P.S. I know what you mean about frustration... but the liver problems are more frequently managed for a while before if ever cured. It's to try and see what helps, and that all takes time, and retesting. And it is frustrating. But keep trying... your pup is depending on you. Best Wishes, Kathy
__________________ Kat Chloe Lizzy PeekABooTinkerbell SapphireInfinity | |
02-17-2010, 09:11 PM | #5 | |
BANNED! Join Date: May 2007 Location: USA
Posts: 11,073
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02-19-2010, 05:17 PM | #6 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Marshfield, WI, USA
Posts: 35
| Thank you so much for the information! It was very helpful
__________________ LillyDakota |
02-19-2010, 05:18 PM | #7 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Marshfield, WI, USA
Posts: 35
| Thanks for the advice- I spoke to the vet and we have decided to be stricter with diet and retest in 6 months.
__________________ LillyDakota |
02-19-2010, 05:21 PM | #8 | |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Marshfield, WI, USA
Posts: 35
| Quote:
__________________ LillyDakota | |
02-19-2010, 05:34 PM | #9 | |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Marshfield, WI, USA
Posts: 35
| Quote:
__________________ LillyDakota | |
02-20-2010, 12:52 PM | #10 |
I♥PeekTinkySaph&Finny Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Posts: 18,866
| Check with your vet, but I use Cherrios, apples and carrots. I also bought human baby fingerfood snacks, they seem to like them. Manufactured for dogs treats are usually always made of meat and that's not the best protein source for liver pups.
__________________ Kat Chloe Lizzy PeekABooTinkerbell SapphireInfinity |
02-20-2010, 01:24 PM | #11 |
I♥PeekTinkySaph&Finny Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Posts: 18,866
| It comes in pill and a chewable form. Both are to be given an hour before the morning meal, for best absorbtion. If using the pill, it must not be chewed or broken, affects absorbtion and bioavailability to the dog's system. It's best given with no food, but it says on the package (I think the chewable) may be given with a very small amount if necessary. The pills come in three sizes the one I use is 0-12 pounds. The chewable can be broken in half or quarters, my 11 pound dog took 1/2 tablet. The pills are small and fairly easy to give, the chewables are bigger, my dog took them okay. They get a little more meds in the chewables which are 225mg (small size). The pills are 90 mg. With taking 1/2 chewable tablet (112.5mg), the box lasts longer (2 months as opposed to 1month) but they are a little more expensive on initial purchase but then cheaper in the long run bc they last longer for a smaller dog. Just found the box... up to 6# is 1/4 chew Tab so 1 box would last you 4 months! (Benefit of having small doggy).
__________________ Kat Chloe Lizzy PeekABooTinkerbell SapphireInfinity |
02-20-2010, 02:02 PM | #12 |
I♥PeekTinkySaph&Finny Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Posts: 18,866
| I just ordered coconut chips as a dog treat online, benefits of coconut are natural antbiotic, anti fungal, helps skin, hair....and on and on. My Google broke but Google 'Benefits of coconut' Coconut meat, oil, and/or milk all have the same effects. Mine love the milk added to their food. The oil is safe as it's a vegetable source.
__________________ Kat Chloe Lizzy PeekABooTinkerbell SapphireInfinity |
02-20-2010, 02:31 PM | #13 |
Yorkie Kisses are the Best! Donating Member | It shocks me too that so many have LS (too many people breeding who shouldn't be).....It really does suck to see yorkie after yorkie diagnosed with this illness. I'm sorry you're dealing with this you're already getting good advise and I have none except to keep reading and talking to others who've dealt with it I want to wish you all the best & hope you can get her feeling better. |
02-20-2010, 06:14 PM | #14 | |
BANNED! Join Date: May 2007 Location: USA
Posts: 11,073
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