LS surgery worth it??? So as you guys know, my little Ellie has a liver shunt. I've been debating for a while rather to get the surgery or not, she is on a special diet now and I give her medicine multiple times a day but my vet insists that if I don't do the surgery then she will slowly die because she is so small. She is 8 months and weights 2.5lbs. I am a single young girl with not a lot in the bank, I've been trying to build a savings for myself but with this $3,350 surgery or more I will have almost nothing left! And my worst fear is something goes wrong with the surgery, with all my money on the line is this surgery very dependable??!?? HELP!!! Very hard time :( |
If your vet says its life threateing if she doesnt have the surgery it is |
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The University of Tennesse and Dr Tobias is the leading expert in the field. Her office will respond to email inquiries, and are dedicated to helping owners with pets with this disease. Finally have you looked at the "stickey" on here that is entitled help for vet care? Also look at your contract of sale to see if you can go back to the breeder for assistance with this genetic disorder? Are there puppy lemon laws in your state? If so what do they state? I can only tell you that as an owner of a Yorkie, if I had this diagnosis for my dog, I'd beg, borrow, steal if I had to, to get myself to Dr Tobias to do this surgery. I do know of another Torontonian who did go do for the surgery, and was very very happy with the quality of care and expertise there. |
Well, considering her age, the LS surgery is more successful with younger dogs. I don't know the exact figures but I do know there is a high success rate. Have you been to a specialist? Check out this thread: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...ease-help.html Also are there any vet schools in your area? Sometimes they have more reasonable prices. ($2500.-$3000.) |
I would advise you to contact Dr.Tobias' team at University of Tenn. They are the benchmark for Liver Shunt surgery. I believe THEIR success rate in this surgery is like 90%. But is depends on YOUR baby's specific case, how successful surgery would be. But I can tell you this....if these people are doing your baby, and something happens to her, or there are complications and it does not turn out well, you had the very best doing the surgery and it would have not turned out any differently for anyone else attempting to do the procedure. As far as spending the money and it possibly being a waste, that is an issue you have to resolve within your own heart. I know if I am ever in that position, I will sell anything I have, to pay for the procedure, at UT with Dr.Tobias and her team....that way I KNOW, I can look at that baby and rest assured everything was done that could possibly be done, by the very best, most experienced people, doing that surgery. Beyond that, it was in Gods hands......but my conscience is clear, no regrets, no "what if's", "buts", or "maybe's"..... |
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Ziggy's successful Liver Shunt Surgery in 2006 1 Attachment(s) Hi there, I am sorry to hear you got the Liver Shunt diagnosis. I've been there. We were faced with having the surgery or putting Ziggy down. He was on medicine for a few weeks but the vet said he would not make it long. So we put it on a credit card. Hubby didn't want to pay at first but when I pointed out that we would fix a car if it were broken, he relented. And we have never regretted it. Ziggy was so sick but tried so hard to live, we felt he deserved a chance. When he was examined and has the MRI, the docs at the specialty vet surgery place told us he would be like a brand new dog. And he was! He is sturdy and healthy and so loving. I have a picture of his stitches after the surgery in an album. I'm not sure how to post it here but I'll try. I hope you find a way for your baby. I can tell you the surgery is successful. We have no costs associated with Ziggy's liver shunt except we have to feed him prescription low protein food, but it's no more costly than good brands anyway. I will say a prayer for you in coping with this, both financially and emotionally. :tinyheart |
There are also more and more vets around the country who have trained under Dr Tobias that I would also trust. Maybe find one in your area, if not your vet.... |
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Nothing like sharing successful first hand experience!!!! Thanks for posting this for her....it can be so overwhelming.... |
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/alb...?albumid=14265 Not sure if the link will work. It's to Ziggy's album. You can see his stitches and what a sweet wonderful boy he is after liver shunt surgery. If this doesn't work, if you go to my profile, then albums, you can see him in the "Ziggy" album. Please let us know what happens with your baby. I will keep you in my prayers. Stay strong! |
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Very sorry to hear your baby needs LS surgery. But to answer your questions is it worth it? Well your baby will die if you don't, so then Yes it is worth it. Another question, have you talked to your breeder about this? She needs to know about it. Or if your breeder is one of the types that takes your money and then never takes your calls again, you should look to see if your state has puppy lemon laws to protect people against unscrupulous breeders. Good luck. |
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