Has anyone had these symptoms w/yorkie?
 

Just a little info on my baby, Rocky:
He is about 2 1/2 years old and was the runt of his litter. We were told he wouldn't get any bigger than 2.9 #, but he is nearly 4.9# now. 2 vets have suspected a "liver shunt" due to symptoms and elevated liver enzymes. He went 1.25 hrs away for special bile acid test and some other test. They strongly feel it is a shunt/liver, but only an exploratory surgery would confirm this. At the time, he quit having symptoms as we switched places to empty is anal glands..evidently there are 2 ways to empty: INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL. We now have Dr. Jay empty (EXTERNALLY) Instead of groomer (INTERNALLY). His symptoms nearly disappeared about 8-9 months ago and just came back 3 weeks ago. (HEAD PRESSING, SHAKING, WALKING/RUNNING LOW TO FLOOR WITH TAIL DOWN, DECREASED APPETITE, CONSTANTLY SNIFFING TAIL AREA/BUTT, AND BOWEL MOVEMENTS OF THINNER CONSISTENCY AND LIGHTER COLOR.) Of course, the vet put him on low protein diet K/D canned and dry food, but Rocky is spoiled rotten by his father, CHEF DEAN, yes he is a certified chef. Both our yorkies have been eating their medicine food for 1 year now, topped with fresh hickory-smoked turkey breast sliced from Deli and chicken breast with rib meat and savory glaze. But now, Rocky won't really eat much K/D moist and Zero K/D dry. Pretty much just turkey and chicken and treats. Yes this food area we are working on...stopping all the extra protein (turkey/chicken) that goes against the whole K/D diet. Has anyone had these symptoms? ??? Has anyone had liver shunt or exploratory surgery to find out??? Anxiously awaiting anyone's reply? THANK YOU SO MUCH. Sincerely, Sherry(Rocky's mom) :(

symtoms
 

Since his diet is mostly white meat, the stool is not a surprise. The symtoms of head pressing is a concern..sounds like there is pain in that area..the others are not really LS. symtoms.
I would get a second opinion vet and do a complete work-up.
Good luck

If the vet suspects it's a liver shunt, it's very important that you cut out the protein that's not coming from the k/d...It makes their symptoms much worse. Protein's by-product is Ammonia which is supposed to be detoxified through the liver and then it goes to the vena cava, then to the heart, and through the circulatory system. But if the liver is not functioning properly or there is a shunt by-passing the liver, the ammonia is NOT detoxified and the ammonia goes through the whole circulatory system causing all these terrible symptoms that you are describing.
It's very unhealthy to keep giving him that much protein and could cause very scary seizures that could kill him. I don't want to sound harsh or scare you, I just want to stress the importance of not giving him that extra protein.
The reason I know all this is because my Miko has been through it. We've had to go through a lot with him and have learned so much.
Miko did have exploratory surgery and unfortunately the vet was not able to repair the shunt because he has either microvascular dysplasia or an intrahepatic shunt...Microvascular dysplasia has no cure, but they will usually put the dog on medication and special diet for life. Intrahepatic shunt is too risky to operate.
Miko is on a liver supplement, lactulose, and special hepatic diet to keep his symptoms away. He is such a healthy and happy yorkie now, and I love seeing him like this. The vet said that he should live a normal life with the medications and special food. Miko is the joy of our lives and I'm so happy that we have him :)
Here's a website that you can go to and find more info: http://malteseonly.com/shunt2.html

I agree with YorkieRose...make sure they do a complete work-up including blood tests and urine tests to make sure that it's a very strong possibility that it's a liver shunt before he goes in for exploratory surgery.

liver shunt
 

I have 1 yorkie that had a liver shunt .. it was discovered when i took him to be neutered and his bile acid came back high..my vet suspected a liver shunt and sent me to a surgeon.. they did an ultrasound to make sure it was a liver shunt.. seems that is better than exploratory surgery... my baby then had the surgery.. he is great now..

Liver shunt info.
 

My Matise has a liver shunt, has had the ameroid constrictor surgery 1 1/2 months ago and the dr. is optimistic for a full recovery.

here are some threads I wrote about my experience.

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19786

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20231

if it is a liver shunt, you can't wait it out. the liver will be damaged beyond repair. you need to get it checked NOW!. my yorkie had a liver shunt, it was discovered when he was 1. he was starting to bite people and become aggressive. he went on to live another 17 years. here is a video i found on you tube about liver shunts

Liver Shunt Behavior in a Yorkie named Ginger - YouTube

ohh my lord, i didn't see the date on this lol. ohh well. anyone can benefit from this info

PLEASE NOTE : This thread is from 2005. :)

yep noticed after i posted.. i am completely dedicated to my ADD..:)

hahah...I so get it! :D;):p

ahhh my sister in confusion...lol