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01-07-2011, 05:18 PM | #1 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Florida
Posts: 13
| Epilepsy or Liver Shunt? NEED ADVICE?? I need advice! My yorkie has started having seizures. A friend told me hers did as well and it is epilepsy. I hold him during the seizure and it lasts about 2 to 5 minutes. His back legs will paddle if I put him down and he shakes and is stiff. I am now reading about liver shunts. How can I tell the difference. This started at about 1 year of age. Last edited by Yomom; 01-07-2011 at 05:21 PM. |
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01-07-2011, 05:30 PM | #2 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member | You most likely cannot tell the difference, only a vet could diagnose whether it's liver shunt or epilepsy, seizures are definitely a sign of liver shunt. You need to start with having him seen by a vet and having blood work and/or a bile acids test done. Regardless of whichever this turns out to be, he needs to be seen by a vet. Seizures left untreated may continue with more frequency and severity and can result in death.
__________________ ~Ruby, Reno, Razz, & Jack~ |
01-07-2011, 05:34 PM | #3 |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Texas
Posts: 1,921
| A lay person (or even a vet) can't tell what is causing the seizures by reading a desciption on the internet or even seeing them in person. Your pup needs to be seen by a vet and have the appropriate testing done to determine the underlying cause.
__________________ Life is merrier with a Yorkshire Terrier! Jezebel & Chuy ... RIP: Barkley Loosie & Sassy |
01-07-2011, 05:46 PM | #4 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Florida
Posts: 13
| thanks, the appointment is on Monday- I am just really worried |
01-07-2011, 05:59 PM | #5 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member | Good deal then! And don't worry too much for now, seizures can be treated, liver shunt is likely treatable too with surgery to repair the shunt or if that isn't possible, often times diet can control the disease. I had a 14 year old foster girl that had seizures since she was a pup, due to an injury and oxygen being cut off for a bit in an accident. She took phenobarbital everyday and like I said she was 14 years old.....not a short life for a yorkie. Good luck and please do come back and update us....I know it's scary but there is much help here to offer in the way of support!
__________________ ~Ruby, Reno, Razz, & Jack~ |
01-07-2011, 06:07 PM | #6 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Florida
Posts: 13
| thank you so much- I just spent some time reading a post about a liver shunt- it is terrifying. I will pray it is just seizures. Otherwise he is so happy and healthy. If, God forbid it is liver shunt, do you have any idea how much the surgery costs? |
01-07-2011, 06:10 PM | #7 |
Donating YT 10K Club Member | Seizures are a symptom not a diagnosis. There are no tests for epilepsy. Vets rule out all the other possibilities of issues which have tests and if those results are normal...only then would an diagnosis of epilepsy be given. I know you're worried. Sending prayers for both of you.
__________________ Deb, Reese, Reggie, Frazier, Libby, Sidney, & Bodie Trace & Ramsey who watch over us www.biewersbythebay.com |
01-07-2011, 07:10 PM | #8 | |
Donating YT 500 Club Member | Quote:
Portosystemic Shunts FAQ
__________________ ~Ruby, Reno, Razz, & Jack~ | |
01-07-2011, 07:21 PM | #9 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Florida
Posts: 13
| Liver Shunt or Epilepsy? I am in Ft Lauderdale and go to a Country Vet who will no doubt not be be advanced enough to deal with this is it is Liver Shunt. If anyone knows of a great Vet here that would be great. |
01-07-2011, 09:18 PM | #10 |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Texas
Posts: 1,921
| If you can't go to the University of Tennessee, can you go the Veterinary School in Gainsville?
__________________ Life is merrier with a Yorkshire Terrier! Jezebel & Chuy ... RIP: Barkley Loosie & Sassy |
01-08-2011, 05:28 AM | #11 |
Ringo (1) and Lucy too! Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: On the Edge of Glory
Posts: 3,447
| Fingers crossed for your appointment on Monday. Over this week-end, try not to give her any extra beefy treats. Good Luck
__________________ Mommy to Lucy, Ringo, and Matthew |
01-10-2011, 10:19 AM | #12 |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: belfast, northern ireland
Posts: 520
| hi, are there any updates for your baby?
__________________ "...She will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of her heart; you owe it to her to be worthy of such devotion..." |
01-10-2011, 10:29 AM | #13 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Florida
Posts: 13
| What I have so far What I have so far is frustrating. The blood test came in that the liver numbers are off; the ALT which should not be over 110 came in at 160. My 7 year old gave the dog a treat this morning not knowing any better and so the Vet did not want to do the Bile until tomorrow. I called everyone today. UF said they do it, but with all tests etc not counting the hotel etc they will be around $3 to 4,000 depending on what is what. Univ of Tenn is closed today due to snow. The person giving details is not there till hopefully tomorrow. We have someone here who is not in today and is calling me back tomorrow. Trying to eat this elephant one bite at a time but quickly. My Vet is starting him on medication "just in case" today, and said yes, thinking liver shunt. |
01-10-2011, 10:40 AM | #14 | |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: E. Falmouth, Mass
Posts: 2,102
| Quote:
__________________ Rosemarie, Levi and Lily "The purity of a person's heart can be quickly measured by how they regard animals" ~ Anonymous | |
01-10-2011, 10:53 AM | #15 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Florida
Posts: 13
| The breeder was very researched and has an excellent reputation. I did go on her site to see that the parents of Barclay have no pups for sale. Because I know I will have answers by weeks end, I have decided that because she has no pups and I don't even think she has Barclay's mother any longer, I will give her the facts once I have them since I will have them shortly. She only allows a Mother to have a small number of litters and then sells the Mother at pet price after the dog is spaid to ensure no over breeding to the female. I know this will flip her out, and it should. I now know more about liver shunts than prob most Vets and know she needs to know. This would have been 2 recessive gene parents. She has several Yorkies and checked us out to death. I have no doubt that if this is confirmed this was not intentional and she will do something about it. |
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