Help!! Liver shunt!!
 

My 8 month old yorkshire terrier has just been dianosed with liver shunt. She's currently being treat in Toronto at VEC. Has anyone ever dealt with them or does anyone have any suggestion of the best Surgeons is Canada or USA. I'm willing to travel to give her the best shot.

VEC may be just fine for LS. No experience with them. I know Gemy here on YT has used them. You may want to PM her (it wasn't for LS though). The best of the best is considered to be University of Tennessee for surgical repair. If money is no object, then it wouldn't hurt to go there...

Funny this has come up; I was just thinking about this.

Please do pm me about the VEC. I have used them several times for different things.

I would defintiely consider the Univ of Tennessee though. Our dollar is strong against the US$ You can probably locate a cheap motel (they are much less costly in the States)

I would investigate Univ of Guelph - not too far from us. This is a teaching hospital.

As you no there is no care credit here. You will need lots of room on your charge card, as the estimate for service must be paid in full, before they will treat your pup.

I've placed a call into Dr Tobias. Hoping to hear back today :)

Super glad to hear that. Keep us posted. We will all be rooting for you and your pup :)

Our seven month old Gabby had Liver Shunt surgery last week. Dr. Tobias is one of the leading experts, especially with ameriod ring. So if you can get there it would be good. We took Gabby to WSU Vet Hospital where she got excellent care also. Hopefully by now you have your baby on a low protein diet with some meds to control the harmful toxins. Be careful of treats or any animal protein. Educate yourself as much as you can, lots of information on the web. Try to see when the information was written, lots of older information there that isn't as positive. Sending prayers to you and your furbaby.

How's Gabby doing after her surgery? Was your experience good with Dr Tobias?

Pika is currently on Lactulose and Metronidazol to control the toxins as well as a low protein diet. I've done alot of reading on this condition before as my moms yorkie has been diagnosed with microvascular dysplasia. I was always watching for signs and symptoms and she was 100% other then liking her sleep which I just thought was a puppy thing. When she started showing symptoms it was an emergency situation. She was unable to walk had tremors and drooling. She was in the ICU for 4 nights to stablize her and finally diagnose her. She finally came home yesterday and is stable and happy at home. She's still pretty wobbly but gets around pretty good.
I'd love any info you may have or any advise :)

We live in Idaho so we could not get to Dr. Tobias wish we could have as she is the best. Gabby did not have the symptoms your Pika did, her problem was lack of appetite and her Bile Acids were high. The first thing is probably is a ultra sound or other diagnostic to determine what exactly Pika has.(maybe you already have had this) Surgery is the best option if she has the shunt on the outside of Liver. Cost can range anywhere from 1700 up. We were pretty close to 2700. Honestly we have only been dealing with this for about a month but from I can gather diet is very important. The Lactulose should help move food thru her system faster to help with toxin retention. I know it is scary but at least you know what you are dealing with. She should really start feeling better with new diet and meds. The ameroid ring is recommended as it shuts the shunt down slowly. Our Gabby had to have the cellophane banding because of location of the shunt. Both are not quick fixes and can take months to fully close. These methods are better to let the liver adjust to the new blood flow and there are usually less complications. Follow up bile tests and monitoring will indicate if the surgery is a success. I recommend you go to the best you can afford and get to. Sorry you are dealing with this, I know it is hard. Join the liver shunt support group on Yahoo.

Thanks so much for the advise :)
Pika has had an ultrasound and its been confirmed she has a Extrahepatic portosystemic shunt. Her file is being transfered to Dr. Tobias and we will make the 13 hr trip down to University of Tennesee Nov 21.

Wishing all the best to you and your little one.
Please keep us posted .

Good for you!!! Luckily our furbabies don't have a clue what they are in for. Right now it is much harder on you than Pika. Watch her diet and keep her on the meds. It has been twelve days for us now since the surgery and I can tell our Gabby feels better. The first two days after surgery are the most critical and I am sure they will keep Pika in ICU too. Get some rest yourself and please let us know how you are doing. These guys are tougher than they appear.

Hi Everyone,
We just returned home from the University of Tennesseee with Pika.
She had surgery on Tuesday and is doing amazing :) She has bounced back so quickly from surgery and is happy to be home!!!!!

Thank you for all of your support :)

Hooray
 

So glad to hear she is doing well. You did the best you could for her and now she just needs to heal. Be careful of her activity level. I really had to watch Gabby as she was anxious to play and run around. It is better to keep them very quiet if you can. Follow the directions you got for post care and do not hesitate to call the Dr's for any concerns. The worst is over now....Yae Yae and Yae:D

Glad to hear Pika is doing well:) Gigi and I are headed to UT on December 1st for consult and if necessary surgery.

Please keep us posted on Pika's progress! Sending healing prayers out to you and Pika.

Erica

So glad all went well! Before you know it she will be running n playing like normal

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to give you an update on Pika. It's been over 3 months since her surgery and we just got the results back on her post op blood work and it's GOOD NEWS!!! :thumbup:

Her blood work came back perfect as well as her pre/post bile acids!!:)

Thank you all for your well wishes!

I am sooooo happy she is doing awesome:) That is such great news:D

Dr.Tobias and the University of Tennesee....Benchmark for the care and treatment of LS.

Just wondering on a side note....what breeder did you purchase the puppy from and do you have the puppy's papers and pedigree?

What a dollbaby! So glad to hear that she is doing so well. Well done!