Hearbroken, Devastated, Scared - New Puppy
 

I am shaking and crying as I write this. My new puppy Max came home Saturday. He checked out fine with the vet Monday. Tuesday I noticed strange behavior - shaking head, legs sliding from under him. Gave nutrical, did not help.

Brought him to the vet today and he thinks he has a Liver Shunt. Max exhibited this behavior in front of the vet and i also had it on video camera.

We did full bloodwork and i will get results tomorrow. He is hoping it's something else. If bloodwork is fine we will do bile acid test tomorrow.

I am at a complete loss for words. I feel broken. If it is a Liver Shunt (which I know nothing about), I have a moral dilemma. If it's operable do I pay thousands to try to help him? I have a 1 year guarantee on anything life threatening.

I'm so sorry for you and your little baby! I can't help but wanted to let you know we pray for you two...

Oh no. I'm so sorry! I don't have any experience or advice to offer, but I'm sending lots of prayers for you and Max.

What does your guarantee say? Do you have to return Max if you choose to exercise the contract, or will the breeder help pay costs and still let you keep him? Have you contacted the breeder yet, or are you waiting for a definite diagnosis?

Big hugs for all of you,
Bonny

Oh no!! I am so so sorry! : ( I hope everything is OK. What is his breeder saying?

i called the breeder last night and she said no way could it be liver shunt, however my vet disagrees. the breeder says it sounds like head injury but it's definitely not.

he has a 1 year guarantee for life threatening illnesses so i imagine i could give him back. i'm a complete mess right now.

What reason does she give for saying it couldn't be a liver shunt? Were the dam and sire fully health tested prior to breeding? I'm sorry - I know nothing about shunts or the pre-breeding tests, so I'm not sure how reliable the results are?

It is the dam's 4th litter and the sire is Lake Buena Vista Champion Graffity. It is an incredibly healthy line with no genetic issues.

I am so sorry. I also know nothing about liver shunts. I just googled and found this:

Jon-An's Yorkshire Terriers Liver shunt in Yorkies

I hope that the results show it isn't a liver shunt. Keeping Max in my prayers:animal36:animal36

I am so sorry. Major hugs to you and your partner. Liver Shunt is a treatable disorder, and many dogs go on to live normal lives. Young puppies generally have good odds with the surgery (95%), the best in the world at treating this disorder also believes in keeping costs down, they perform surgeries at minimal costs (under $2000.00)(all inclusive).

Wait till the results are in, and see what needs to be done.

My dog has been diagnosed with Liver Shunt, but the odds aren't as good for her, bc she is older. Then she had a complication, so surgery had to be put off till her blood levels return to normal.

In the meantime, she's being managed on a low protein diet and medications, which are keeping any symptoms under control.

If you met my dogs, you would never guess that she was the one with the shunt. She plays hard, loves to go for walks, eats well, and has gotten really good about taking her meds everyday.

We adopted her from the Humane Society, where two families had taken her after they discovered she had elevated liver enzymes. Some Shelters do medical on their adoptable pets... this one doesn't.

Yorkies don't usually stay in shelters very long... they are in demand. But there was no line of people waiting to adopt her. She's not a teacup, nor a teapot. She's a teabarrel!

She was 9 pounds when we got her... but I'm glad to report she has gained 3 pounds: LS dogs are hard to get weight on, they always appear thin...but right now, she seems to be doing well.

Next step is to get her BAT redone. If the results are over 100... surgery for sure. If less than 100, we'll keep her on the low protein diet and medications. That's our plan, at least for now...

I'll be keeping little Max and his friends in my prayers....

Lake Buena Vista is not known for healthy dogs, or ethical breeding practices. The dam may have had 4 healthy litters, but the liver shunt puppies can appear at any time; even as far as 9 generations. All it takes is the right two being bred.

With that being said; wait until you get the results.

Good Luck and prayers for your little guy.

Please read up on LS. We were concerned that Sweet Sophie had one several months ago...scary stuff.
Does Max have and symptoms after he eats? Did the Dr suggest seizures?
I'll be saying prayer for you and especially little Max.

Wow! I am so so so sorry to hear about Max. I hope all is well and it is NOT a liver shunt. I can't even imagine what you are going through right now.

I did a quick search and came up with these:
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/bre...rol-woods.html
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...ena-vista.html

I'm hoping that all goes well with Max's blood work . . .I'm sorry that you are going through this . . . .:justahug:

Thanks everyone. I'm so confused and would rather spend time with him then do research.

His episodes seem to be at random intervals.

The breeder will not take him back. After quite an argument over the phone just a while ago I told her she MUST work with me.

My moral dilemma is that I have had him for 5 days. Do I want to spend thousands of dollars on surgery for a dog that should have been bought healthy. But if she doesn't take him back what choice do i have?

i am just so sad and upset. i'm in shock. i don't want to read about Liver Shunts and do research on a dog that should be healthy.

Please pray that it's something different.

I pray your baby will be okay. Was he given any vaccinations on Monday? Is it possible the pup could have gotten hold of any kind of medicine, pill or something that might have been dropped on the floor? How much does Max weigh? I wonder too why it is taking so long on the blood panel. My vet gets the results right away.