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07-21-2010, 05:54 PM | #1 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: United States
Posts: 12
| 6mth. liver shunt? or Atlanto Axial Subluxation? Hi everyone, I have been on this computer for three days now just researching and I am continuously finding great info. However, I do not want to miss anything so I was hoping some of you could put in your input. My 6 month old baby girl Dior is having some problems. About 3 weeks ago I noticed that she was walking really funny like her back legs were stiff or kinda kicking out to the side. I first off thought it was her knees (LP). I took her to the doctor three days ago and they said that her knees were not the problem. She continuously falls down and is very clumsy almost like she is drunk. She is also sleeping more hours of the day than she is playing (which I feel is unusual for a 6 month old puppy)?? The doctors think that it is a neurological problem. They did a bile acid test (1 test after not eating for 12 hours and another after eating 2 hours later) and I am supposed to hear about that tomorrow. If it is the liver shunt I have done massive amounts of research on it and feel that the University of Tennessee is the best place to go? But would like to get feed back on that. However, her urine sample did not show any crystals or spikes like normal signs of a liver problem would have. Also, I don't feel like her "drunken" act is what they are making it out to be. She seems "right" in the head to me and they said that she would act spacey and hit her head on walls and stuff (which she doesn't). If this test is negative they are then going to check her spine with an x-ray. I have found a condition called "Atlanto Axial Subluxation" but this does not seem exactly right because she does not yelp out in pain or has not had any real trauma to the head. If anyone has been through any of this or this sounds like some of the same symptoms please let me know. I would rather know too much to check for then not enough! Thank you, |
Welcome Guest! | |
07-21-2010, 05:58 PM | #2 |
Donating YT 30K Club Member | Welcome. Sorry to hear Dior is having health issues. I know Univ of Tenn is great for liver shunt surgery. There are quite a few on here with liver shunt babies and a few with AAS, hopefully they will see this and post some good information for you. I hope you get good news tomorrow.
__________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html |
07-21-2010, 06:25 PM | #3 |
Ringo (1) and Lucy too! Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: On the Edge of Glory
Posts: 3,447
| Oh, your poor baby. I would sit tight until you get the results of the BAT tomorrow; that might help point you in the right direction or at least rule OUT liver shunt so you can start looking elsewhere. Please post your results when you get them. Have they tested her for hypoglycemia? I know that can cause a lot of weakness too.
__________________ Mommy to Lucy, Ringo, and Matthew |
07-21-2010, 07:15 PM | #4 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: United States
Posts: 12
| They have not tested for hypoglycemia to my knowledge; however they ran a blood work test today and said that the results came back really well. Her cell count was good meaning no infection and what not. She isn't really weak (doctors actually said her muscle formation was good). She just stumbles and falls over so easily. ALmost like she can't control her feet (mostly back feet). So I don't think its hypoglycemia and they didn't mention anything about that! I just want to figure this out and for her to be ok!!!!! |
07-21-2010, 07:20 PM | #5 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: United States
Posts: 12
| Also, while I am throwing out all these questions. How old are yorkie puppies when they start to jump and go up and down stairs and couches? She will be 6 months old on the 1st of Aug. and does not really even try to jump because she is so wabbly? Just wanted to get an idea of what's normal? |
07-21-2010, 07:27 PM | #6 |
Ringo (1) and Lucy too! Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: On the Edge of Glory
Posts: 3,447
| Lucy was about 6-7 months when she started going down our steep stairs; it did take her a while. She jumped up on furniture at about 6 months too - much to the dismay of my Westie who liked to get away from her. I sure hope you find out what is going on. Hopefully, the BATS will lead them in a direction one way or the other.
__________________ Mommy to Lucy, Ringo, and Matthew |
07-21-2010, 07:28 PM | #7 | |
YT 2000 Club Donating Member | Quote:
My heart goes out to you. Hang tight see what the BATS say. Step by step, tests, ruling out this or that. It is so hard to wait. Keep us posted
__________________ Razzle and Dara. Our clan. RIP Karma Dec 24th 2004-July 14 2013 RIP Zoey Jun9 th 2008-May 12 2012. RIP Magic,Mar 26 2006July 1st 2018 | |
07-22-2010, 02:10 AM | #8 | |
YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Idaho
Posts: 4,544
| Quote:
AAI, Liver Shunt and Chiari can all have similar symptoms. | |
07-22-2010, 07:16 AM | #9 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: United States
Posts: 12
| I just heard from the vet. Her results were pretest 22.2 (greater than 10 abnormal) and post test 80.4 (greater than 20 abnormal). She told me that normally sever cases would be in the 90's and 100's. Therefore were not exactly sure what it is yet. She told me we are going to do an ultrasound on Monday and x-rays of her neck area. We are going to start with the lactose doses because she said that these would definitely not hurt her and if she shows some improvement then its another sign toward liver shunt. Let me know what you all think, I am so confused now! |
07-22-2010, 07:23 AM | #10 |
Ringo (1) and Lucy too! Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: On the Edge of Glory
Posts: 3,447
| Well, she had some abnormal BATS ~ which could be indicative of liver disease if not a specific liver shunt. My vet says anything over 100 indicates a shunt and under 100 points more toward MVD. My Lucy has abnormal BATS - but NOT high enough to say she has a shunt. Therefore, she was diagnosed with MVD (multiple internal shunting as opposed to a large exterior shunt). She does not require lactulose - yet but her numbers are a bit lower. We manage her MVD by keeping a close watch on her protein and offering liver healthy supplements. She rarely shows any symptoms though - like drunken walking, etc. She will, on occasion, usually after too much protein. Yours, I believe, does have some pretty significant symptoms. Did your vet recommend lowering her protein level? I would do this while they search for other things as well.
__________________ Mommy to Lucy, Ringo, and Matthew |
07-22-2010, 07:24 AM | #11 |
Donating YT 30K Club Member | Those bile acid scores tend to lean towards MVD or an internal liver shut. My Cali has very mild MVD and has so symptoms or needed no treatment. Her scores were very similar to Dior's. Cali's was confirmed with a liver biopsy done when she was spayed at 8 months. The only thing we do is keep her protein intake lower. Hopefully, Dior will be fine and need minimal or no treatment. Please keep us posted.
__________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html |
07-22-2010, 08:28 AM | #12 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: United States
Posts: 12
| Patti, What made you start to look at her liver? or why did they do any test on her? Was she showing any signs at all before you figured this out and changed her protein level? Thanks for the feedback it truly helps to know that others have been and are going through this too!! |
07-22-2010, 02:03 PM | #13 | |
Donating YT 30K Club Member | Quote:
__________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html | |
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atlantoaxial subluxation, wobblers syndrome |
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