Took her in right after I posted last night. Got a few hours sleep this morning. She's been on IV and they are doing all sorts of tests. They think liver shunt. I'm devastated. Vet says if it does in fact prove to be liver shunt she recommends surgery. So scared. Please any advice, things I need to ask for or about. Anyone who's been through this... Please help.

I'm so sorry you and your pup are going through this. Dogs with liver shunt that have the surgery usually do very well afterwards. Thankfully, I don't have personal experience in this area, but there are many people here that do, so you should get some really good advice.

Even though I am not experienced in liver shunt, I have had other illnesses with my pups and also with human loved ones. When the experts start to give you technical information, your brain is going to be full of worry and jumbled just trying to absorb all of the information .... so be ready to write down the tests and results. Have them repeat if necessary so that you can write it down correctly. You will be glad that you have these notes to reference afterwards. Then come back here and post the results, if your vet isn't able to help you understand it at the time (like I said, your brain will be jumbled because of everything coming at you at once), there will be people here that can explain it.

Just being able to bounce this off of people that have been through it will help you to understand it better and ask better questions when you discuss this with your pup's vets.

Again, I'm sorry.

Oh, I'm so sorry for you and this baby but hopefully you can learn how it is you can manage this. I will be praying for her and you.

I am so sorry. Thank goodness you got her in when you did. I will keep you and your BabyChan in my thoughts and prayers.

I am so sorry. But I am really glad that you ended up taking your pup in. Please let us know what you find out. Sending hugs and prayers.

If you do a search for 'liver shunt' on this forum; you will find many dogs with liver problems.

Liver shunt does not necessarily mean a death sentence. As with many illnesses - it can run the spectrum from mild to severe. Many of us on here have yorkies with some type of liver issue.

Sometimes surgery is required; sometimes just medication and a diet change. The testing will hopefully guide you in the right direction.

Please let us know how things are going. Will keep you and Baby Chan in my thoughts and prayers.

So I just got Baby Chan back and here is whats going on. First of all she looks awful. She is still wobbly and now she has diarhea and shes throwing up. The doctor gave her an enema and put her on laxatives? Is this normal? She's also got her on Karo syrup, Clavamox and a laxative called Lactulose. We will get the BAT results tomorrow. This is the worst thing ever.

Wonderful advice. It is completely overwhelming. I need to write everything down. I'm SO THANKFUL people here can help me. Thank you.

Another thing you might want to do is request copies of all of her lab results so that you have them. This is especially good if you end up at another vet in the future...you will have her records for quick reference.

Yes good idea. I will request all of her results tomorrow. Thank you!

I'm sorry your little one is sick.
I will continue to keep her and you in my prayers.

How is Baby Chan now?

Baby Chan is here with me. They said I could take her home. She seems more calm, no longer pacing but still has the far away look in her eyes. Still wobbly. She's on clavamox and lactulose. She ate some boiled chicken breast after I gave her some karo syrup. She ate on her own so that's an improvement! BAT results back tomorrow morning. Vet did already find crystals in her urine. Just thinking about surgery, if she needs it. Wondering about how much it's going to cost and what her chance of doing well from it is. The vet is already saying she can tell it's liver shunt and she needs surgery. She's pushing for ultra sound tomorrow but I read about something else scint something? With dye? Costs adding up fast! I just want Baby Chan feeling better. I can't imagine what she's going through! My heart...

I'm so sorry that she's sick. I will say a prayer for your little girl.

I pray the BAT test comes back normal today. I know the costs can surely add up quickly. You could try applying for Care Credit or possibly ask the vet if he would let you pay it out monthly. I've read on this forum where others have used Care Credit. Please let us know how your Baby Chan is doing.