Teddy Bear's Liver Shunt
 

It's been a whirlwind of a week in my home. Among a few other things, my pup, Teddy Bear vomited one day and did not eat that afternoon. The next morning (Wed.) he turned his nose up to food and then I noticed he was a bit hunched over. I took him to my vet and after labs were drawn and he had an elevated WBC and Lipase and Amylase he started out with a presumptive diagnosis of pancreatitis and was on IV fluids all day. That night he had some rectal bleeding and I took him to the EC. Poor Teddy's bladder was distended and full of bloody urine. They did xrays and and ultrasound and found that he had bladder stones. He was treated with IV fluids and monitored all night and then transferred to my vet early that morning and then she referred him to Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists, the specialists I use in Houston. They found many stones AND urine in his abdominal cavity. The specialist was very concerned and advised me that his prognosis was guarded.

The next day (Friday), I had to go there for one of my fosters, Sunny D, and the specialist who was taking care of Teddy Bear came over to the surgical side to advise me that he felt we needed to do surgery to remove the stones right away. Teddy was catheterized..when they had straight cath'd him during the night, the stones kept going right back to block the urethra. During the night they had done a scan to view the urinary system because of the urine that had been in his abdomen...they had not found any leaks. There was a clot in his bladder, so they thought perhaps there was a small tear. I gave the ok for surgery and went out to have lunch. While out, I received a phone call advising me that when they saw the stones, they felt strongly that Teddy must have a shunt and sure enough they found one and I gave the ok to do that repair. Thankfully, the surgery went very well. Gosh, I am just so unbelievably thankful for the way things turned out. They don't think he had pancreatitis at all ... and honestly if he had not had that rectal bleeding, his bladder probably would have ruptured. It was midnight when I took him in and I imagine I would not have noticed he was not voiding until the next morning. I shudder to think what might have happened.

I went to see Teddy today and he looked so well...I had expected him to be really out of it. I was amazed. He will probably be coming home on Monday. Below are some pics of him that my son took today...you can see that he is still dribbling some bloody urine. That is to be expected because one of the stones was in his urethra, so it is a bit irritated. They expect that to clear up.


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Wow, what a great mom you are! I am so glad you caught this and saved Teddy Bear! It sure pays to act quickly when you have a sick baby!

Wow Teddy, way to keep Mom on her toes - :eek: Linda, that incision looks great! Glad he's doing so well. Heal quickly Teddy!!! :nursing:

I am so thankful little Teddy Bear is going to be all right. You had a great vet and you moved quickly when you saw things were not right. Bless you for taking such good care of little Teddy. He is so adorable and I will pray for a complete recovery for him. Such a precious little dog who will bring you so much love. You will get a great blessing for taking care of such a sweet little dog!

He looks good considering all he has been through! Thank goodness you got him in immediately Linda! Give the little boy hugs from me and the girls!

Interestingly, Teddy Bear was a foster of mine back in 2007 and I ended up adopting him. He is estimated to be 8 years of age. This was a congenital shunt....and he has never had any symptoms at all. No elevations in liver enzymes...he has had 8 lab studies done since 2007. Just so weird. I am so glad it happened the way it did....it fell in place in a way that was amazing.

What an eventful week. I am so glad Teddy Bear is recovering so well. He looks really alert in the photos and happy to be in your arms. The incision does looks great. His guardian angel was certainly watching over him, each step led to a better diagnosis and treatment. This is a good example of observing your pet and knowing normal behavior and when you notice they are off taking them in early to be checked out can prevent issues from escalating. Best wishes for a smooth and successful recovery for Teddy Bear and for a peaceful week for you.

Yeah, I expected a nasty incision.....I was pleasantly surprised.

What a week you have had. So glad Teddy Bear is doing okay. Wishing little Teddy Bear a speedy recovery.
Did your son happened to be the one to bring him to GC Thursday? I was there and a guy came in with a little Yorkie named Teddy Bear.

Thank you, Carolyn. :)

Yes, he did! Big guy, little yorkie. That would be them! :)

Will do...thanks! :)

I don't wait ever....much too risky. These little ones can go down so quickly.

Just saw this...wow, what a week you have had. It's wonderful to read Teddy came through so well. That little fella is a fighter! Hugs to you both:ghug::

Sending prayers for a Teddy & Sammy.

Oh my goodness!!! What a small world. I was the women in a light blue striped shirt with a light brown doggy purse. Teddy Bear was wrapped up I could only see his little face. He looked so sad I felt so bad for him. GC is the best!

Thanks, Tena!

Yeah, it is a small world...and YES, GCVS is awesome! I am so very thankful for them.

I will have to ask my son if he noticed you. :)

Teddy and Sunny D
 

I am so very sorry to read your recent scary posts about poor Teddy and Sunny.
What a terrible time for you and them to bear. You must be completely exhausted and stressed out and living on adrenaline. I join others here in prayers for you and your babies, and wish you all will feel better soon. At least Teddy is on the mend it seems after his ordeals.
Hoping you have a restful night and that tomorrow you will see light at the end of the dark tunnel you are currently traveling through.
I feel for you and can't imagine how you are coping so well with all this trauma.
Again, good wishes and prayers.

Thank you. :) I am sure I will probably collapse after all of it is over. I have to say that, yes, it has been stressful; but it has hit so fast that I honestly have not had a chance to lose it. Not much choice but to keep plodding along. It may sound odd, but the craziness is almost funny. It's like you just cannot believe it is happening...hard to explain.

Poor, poor little Teddy has been through it, sweet little guy. Thankfully he did have that rectal bleeding and maybe prevented that rupture! I'm so glad he's had successful surgery and is getting better now. How scary these last two days have been, Linda but thank God for these vets and their expertise. Really glad it's not pancreatitis which I think can keep flaring up but sorry he had to have surgery and had what sounds like a pretty close call - I know that was miserable for him and frightening for you. I'm so hopeful he makes a full recovery from this. I'll bet Teddy is really going to be happy to finally get to feeling better soon. I'll be praying for that sweet boy.

Thank you....he really looks like he is feeling better already! He ate a little bit for me...and then this evening he ate some more. He did not like the L/D so they asked me to bring pasta and chicken. That at least got him eating. :)

I am so glad Teddy Bear has a great Mom like you. I agree never wait on these little ones when you suspect something is wrong. He looks so good for all he's been through. I bet you can't wait to get him home.

Yay Teddy Bear!! He looks terrific and so thankful all went well. Hope Sunny's healing up too. Blessings to all.

Prayers still going out for Teddy Bear and his full recovery.

It's a wonder your head hasn't fallen off with all that you have going on !!! Just know I'm praying for all.

Oh wonderful that TeddyBear is on the mend..............thanks to his Mommy!

As you know, with all of that extra stuff going on, I am not sure my head has been attached.. :eek:

Thanks, Vicki! :)

Thank you. :)

Awwweee Poor Teddy Bear
 

Oh poor Teddy Bear but I am so glad that he is getting better and you certainly did an excellent job of taking care of him. I will keep you both in my prayers Charlie had the bladder surgery to remove stones and he did pee with blood for about a week.

The big thing is that he didnt have any control of his bladder for several days I just kept a mop and bucket of lysol handy (we have all tile) and I put a lawn type trash bad around the couch cushions and then laid white towels down on top of a pile of blankets where he likes to lay and changed them every hour or so. I used white towels so I could monitor the amount of blood that dribbled out. poor little thing every time he would pee on the floor he looked at us like "Im sooo sorry" I felt so bad for him. he is doing fine now though. So will your Teddy Bear :D

Linda, I am very happy to read that Teddy Bear came through surgery well and is on the mend. Praying for a speedy recovery. I am glad his doctors figured things out quickly. What an experience for both Teddy and you! He is very lucky to have you.

Thanks! :) Yes, he is still dribbling...he is ready to be discharged tomorrow as long as I don't mind that she said. Oh..no...give me my Teddy Bear. haha I told her that is why I have tile floors! ;) We can live with messes.