Two vets I would suggest are Dr. Bill Sanders,(972)524-2184 Pet Country Spa. 6160 W Hwy. 80 Terrell, Tx. The other Dr. Keith Taylor Rt.2 Hwy 66 E Rockwall, Tx. Metro 771-9422. If I wasn't about 4 or 5 min. from my vet, I would be using one of these doctors. Both have good reputations. I don't know where in Dallas you live but either one of these vets are no more than 30min. away. Good luck with your baby. Hope and pray that little one gets well.

Sorry to hear about you little one....we are fighting to keep our little 9 week old alive. I thought he wasn't going to make it last night but he is still trying to kick whatever he has. Vet thinking parvo. Trying to keep him hydrated every hour. I will say a prayer for your little girl.

I will keep your little angel in my prayers.

How is this baby doing now ?

Checking in for an update... hope the little one is doing better...

my little mickey the vet thinks his is liver problems and they have him on lactulose which has a lot of sugar in it, flagyl, and neomycin, for this if they think its her liver why not put her on these meds call vet and ask why shes not on them, also try a low protein diet renal is for the liver as well, thats what they did for mickey, call ur vet and ask about this tomorrow.

I have only seen this thread now so let me first say how amazing you are for even bothering to save her life - many people would not and if you hadnt helped her when you did who knows what would have happened. My respect to you for being so brave and bringing in a sick puppy to your home and trying to hard to get her the help she needs.

I have never had a dog that has had liver shunt but my little female had a REALLY rocky start in life. Much to even my horror the breeder let all her puppies go to their new homes at 6 weeks old, fully innoculated as well and I figured she was simply tired when I picked her up because she was very weak but I also put that down to her age and size and the fact that she had been in a crate all day while her siblings were dropped off and she was the last to go.

My friend bought her sister and phoned me frantically that night asking if Taylor was ok. I had put her in her new bed in a quiet spot to rest after eating and tried not to disturb her too much. When I went to check she was literally lying in her own vomit and wasnt able to even lift her head. Can you believe that this puppy who the breeder claimed was "weaned" didnt have a single tooth in her mouth??? and she was obviously so hungry that she had swollowed her food whole and thrown it all up.

I had to rush her into emergency - i was very inexperienced. knowing what I know now i would never even dream of getting a puppy of any breed at that age. Apparently her white blood cell count was sky high and she was suffering from major stress. She went straight onto a drip and medication and was moving around the next day but I was feeding her by hand and she vomited yellow bile up for weeks afterwards. I never expected her to live and neither did the vets to be honest.

But my vet also didnt explain much to me - i still dont know if there is a name for what she suffered with but I know she would have died if I hadnt got her there in time. The vet suggested not sending her back to her mommy because the trauma of having to be separated again would be tough on her. What I did was syringe water into her mouth at the vet's orders to make sure she was hydrated which is important at ALL times. He also suggested adding a tiny bit of glocuse powder to it to give her some energy. And she was given electrolites to boost her energy levels as well. I liquidised all her food, fed her grated chicken piece by piece and never slept for more than a week. I was scared if i closed my eyes so would she and she would be gone when I woke up. She slept between my pillows to give her warmth and comfort - I believe they can feel your love and respond to it.

If i was you I would take some of the advice on the thread and find a specialist. You seem very dedicated to saving this little one and giving her the best quality of life possible. Never take just one man's opinion especially if you are not satisfied with the information they give. Im from the other side of the world though so I dont know who you can contact but im sure someone here must know. Be prepared to travel if need be as well.

I know of one individual on this very forum who never thought her baby would survive and today she is strong and healthy so there is always hope. Do as much research online as you can - find other forums that might focus on the medical issues and might be able to add vital information and get a second, third and even forth opinion if need be.

Thank you for saving that sweet little Yorkie! We adopted a Yorkie a tad over a year ago, so I know it can be difficult nursing them back to normal health. She was at the vet it seems like every week for something new.

I just wanted to say that I hope your little Zoe gets to feeling better! Praying for you and your little one. :)

Texas A & M is a great choice! PLEASE do NOT continue waiting or you may lose this little one. If she is losing weight at this age she needs IMMEDIATE attention if you want to save her life. Whether it be liver shunt or another problem I just would not wait another minute to get a good diagnosis. Call your vet and ask for a refferal. Please do not wait or I am afraid you may lose her. I don't want to scare you, but honestly I guess I do want to scare you because I think she needs help right now.

Zoe Update
 

Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of you who took the time to give me such wonderful heartfelt advice and so many well wishes! Brings a tear to my eye!
Zoe is doing so much better! She was on put on mitronidazole, and I fed her once an hour--canned food, nutri-cal, baby food and mushed Royal Canin babydog 30--all through syringe, for 5 days...then she started to eat on her own! Yay! She was also given a dextrose injection by the vet. First fecal test showed just the tape worms, which are now gone. Second showed giardia, which she started medicine for today. She has not gained any weight--still at 1.5 lbs--but she hasn't lost any either. She has more energy (although I don't encourage any play at all at this point). She is already so attached to me and to my husband, as well as to my male tri-colored cavalier (maybe she sees the common coloring?).
The vet does still feel that it is quite likely that she has a liver shunt based on all of her blood work. She wants to re-run the blood work in a couple of weeks, provided Zoe keeps doing well. Then she wants to follow that with the bile acids test and imaging studies after that.
In what can only be described as the worst timing ever, I had to leave town today for surgery, and will be returning home in a week. My 17-year-old son is there with her, and my best friend across the street is caring for her day and night, feeding every two hours now...I'm so lucky! I think of her practically every moment:love: and trust that all will be well this week...
Please continue with any advice you have...I love this site already :yorkietal
Jen

Jen, I'm glad she is doing better. Keep up the great work. Please be careful though because your other dogs can get the giardia from her. It is easy to transfer from one dog to another. My Tia shared everything with my other two dogs when we adopted her. Great Job!!!! Keep up posted.

Jinger, don't give up on her. My husband bought me a 6 week old yorkie in JAX, FL 9 years ago. He did not know any better... He drove home 5 hours to Melb., FL, 4 days later this little tiny creature started projectile vomiting and diah... I was ignored for a day but insisted on test and thank the Lord, because the vet called me back in and told me she had Hepatitus. We found a vet who operated more like a hospital and I spent the next 2 weeks being told she was dying and sitting and humming to her and feeding her through a syringe every minute they would let me in. They were open until 6 in the even. and open on Sat. so I was there every minute with only necessary trips home. I swear, that little yorkie knew I was fighting for her and that seemed to make her fight too. Her name is Lacy and she is perfectly okay now but no one gave her much of a chance. You just need good knowledge and support. Do not give up. She will feel your confidence and strength even if you sometimes don't think you have any. Research, hunt a good vet who knows what to do and has a "can do" attitude. Read everything and generalize. Listen to those who have been there. Ask the NEW vet, if he has had another patient that made it and would he call the owners and ask them to give you a call. Just do not sit still, you have the power to act and by reaching out you will do the best you can for her and yourself. You will know that you did all you can and if she makes it, then you also will know you were a part of what made that possible. All our little angels do not make it but we can stand up for them and do our best. Thanks for taking her in and reaching out to people who may help you along your path. All we can do is our best. I tip my hat to your openess and warm heart. Mary of YikesYorkies

Take care of yourself, all will be okay. It looks like your family and friends are really pitching in. They know how much she means to you and when you get back home, she will still have your love and help. You are in our prayers along with little Zoe. Take heart, things seem to be turning around. It looks like maybe the vet does have a clue afterall. A product I used while my little one was so bad is Hills Prescription Diet A/D it is basically liver, which the vet mixed with a little formula and feed it as often as feasible. I forced fed it for the first week. It is smooth and very easy to dispense in a syringe. Speak to the vet first though, they know best. Take care of yourself so you can take care of her later. It is okay to take care of you. Prayers...

I don't mean to be a pest but I thought of something else. The vet had me take small blankets, clothes, towels, etc. and warm them in a microwave and wrap her in them when she was cold. Also soft fleece holds warmth better than some of the things the vets have in their cages. Get the really soft fleece and keep her bundled to help her hold her own heat. When and if you use the microwave, make sure you do not have hot spots and that it is only warm. Use a small amount of time until you figure out what works the best for you. Be careful, when you heat cloth, it usually has little mositure and will catch fire if setting is for too long. The mositure is what absorbs the heat and makes the material feel warm. Even a dry towel has some mositure. I am a retired middle school science teacher sorry if I get over.....

Great to hear she is a bit stronger :) and wishing you all the best with your own surgery too! People have given great advice :)

Keeping Zoe and you in my thoughts and prayers. Hope that your own surgery went well and you can be home with Zoe soon! :)

I don't have any answers, but thank you so much for rescuing this precious little girl and giving her the care she needs!

Jinger Still thinking of you and Zoe
 

Take heart and take care. We are all praying for you and Zoe.

I have a magic bullet blender that pulverizes dry food. I am sure you can use several different products. I take dry puppy food and turn it to powder and then can mix it in formula for little puppies to begin lapping. Small amounts of the powder in the beginning gradually adding more to the formula for lapping. It is great for sich or convalescing dogs too. Anyway this is intended to help with ideas to turn dog food into powder. I am sure many people have a similar blender that will do this. Just a tip I learned and hope to pass on. Also Zinger if you are viewing anytime soon, you are in our hearts, minds, and prayers. We are in silent cyber viligence. Take care of yourself.

So glad to hear things are looking a little brighter for her! Best of luck with your surgery!!!

Great to hear she's begun to eat on her own! Hoping her bloodwork returns to normal.... Best of everything on your surgery.... keeping all in my prayers...

Thank you all. My surgery went well. 5 hours worth yesterday, but I feel great today, although I miss Zoe! My son says she's doing really well, still eating, etc.
I have a new question...crates. I've never had a dog so resistant and angry about their crate. Is there a Yorkie crate trick?

I'm glad you're feeling well and I'm so happy to see that she is eating well. Sending you our very best wishes. I have never used crates, so I can't offer personal advice on them. If not a crate, perhaps an x-pen would work?:)

Glad your surgery went well... as for the crate.... maybe she has missed too much time with her littermates and is fighting confinement as she needs to be with people and be a part of a family so she can bond with them. If she fights it that much, I'd look for another solution... xpen, puppysitter, her own room...

Crate idea: I think she has been couped up so much it is horrible to her. For now, can you put a crate on a table close to bed height and pull up to the bed and open the door and leave your hand in with her. Also when she feels better, put her favorite treats in the crate and then put your hand in to pet her and leave the door open. Keep putting a little treat in often and let her go get it there until she no longer sees it as punishment. LEAVE the door open! If you close it, she will try to quickly get the treat and run out. The idea is to get her to trust that it is a good place and wait at least 2 months before you close the door and that is after she is well. If the door closes too soon, you will be back at square 1. It would be better to get a little metal folding pen and put an open crate in it and her food/water in the pen. You can even set up a "potty area". I hope this helps. Take care of yourself. Did you have gallbladder surgery? It sounds like that type of situation. Anyway, my prayers and thoughts are with you. Mary

KJC and Yorkies...thanks for the great ideas about crating. My instincts were telling me to go that direction, so I really appreciate the confirmation!
Yorkies...I had a double mastectomy in March and this was my last stage of reconstruction. I'm feeling great and very pleased with how everything's gone every step of the way. Thank you for your interest, concern and prayers. They worked! : )

Happy to hear that your surgery went well.

As for crates, some pups really do not like them. I would definitely opt for an xpen or a small room.

Jen, I am so glad to hear the reconstruction went well. My sister has been through all of that too and I have stuck with her like glue because I was so frightened for her. All is on a good track now. You have had your hands so full. I pray that Zoe will be healed and that you too will resume to a wonderful healthy state and enjoy her. You certainly deserve it.

Glad to hear your feeling better! Will pray for a speedy recovery!