Help! Yogi is lethargic! - Page 3 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

GeorgiesMomma · 04-21-2013, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MandiesMom

I hate to say it, but when I read the first part of the first post, my thought was liver shunt. Just was a gut thing.

Don't go for diet and meds. Get the surgery. I did some research on liver shunts recently and everything I came up with was that surgery is risky but has a very good success rate. Diet and meds seem to just prolong life but the pup is always fighting it - hard life.

That is from my research online and here. Now, I know others here have actually gone thru this and they will give you MUCH more knowledgeable advice. I will just say that if it were me, I'd do the surgery - no question.

Praying for Yogi! You are such a GREAT Yorkie Mommy!!!!!

You should be commended on your quick action and not giving up when you knew your baby was not himself. Hugs! Hang in there!

Here are a couple of helpful links:
Portosystemic shunts - liver shunts

Portosystemic Shunts | AKC Canine Health Foundation

Great information Terri

I agree what a GREAT Yorkie Mommy you are. You and Yogi are lucky to have each other. I know how scared you feel. I am keeping you both in my prayers.

ladyjane · 04-21-2013, 04:40 PM

I am sorry you are dealing with this. If it is a shunt, it is fixable! Try to think positive. I know it is scary, but hopefully he can just have the surgery and be fine. One of my pups just had LS surgery this past Feb. and he is doing well....here is Teddy Bear's thread:

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...ver-shunt.html

I like this link about liver shunts:

ACVS - Portosystemic Shunts (PSS)

I also highly recommend that you seek out a board certified surgeon for this surgery...I think you did mention a specialist.

I will keep you and your Yogi in my thoughts and prayers. I hope if you read Teddy Bear's thread it might give you some comfort. He did amazingly well after the surgery. It really was not as bad as I had thought it would be for him.

Yogi yorkie · 04-21-2013, 05:53 PM

Thanks all, I am calmer now, just spoke to vet, yogi seems to be responding to IV fluids and meds and is sleeping now. I will see him in the am. I read all links, very helpful, especially seeing Teddy Bears success story! I would definitely opt for the surgery so my sweet 11 month old could have a happy normal life. Just hoping this is what the vet says as well. Sounds like we have more diagnostic tests to do to see the liver and shunts to know what we're up against. He is the sweetest dog ever and should not have to go through this. Thanks again for all the advice, and yes a board cert surgeon, I am researching only those who specialize in shunt/liver issues.

GeorgiesMomma · 04-21-2013, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yogi yorkie

Thanks all, I am calmer now, just spoke to vet, yogi seems to be responding to IV fluids and meds and is sleeping now. I will see him in the am. I read all links, very helpful, especially seeing Teddy Bears success story! I would definitely opt for the surgery so my sweet 11 month old could have a happy normal life. Just hoping this is what the vet says as well. Sounds like we have more diagnostic tests to do to see the liver and shunts to know what we're up against. He is the sweetest dog ever and should not have to go through this. Thanks again for all the advice, and yes a board cert surgeon, I am researching only those who specialize in shunt/liver issues.

You are doing everything right. Yogi is a lucky little Yorkie boy to have you

MandiesMom · 04-21-2013, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yogi yorkie

Thanks all, I am calmer now, just spoke to vet, yogi seems to be responding to IV fluids and meds and is sleeping now. I will see him in the am. I read all links, very helpful, especially seeing Teddy Bears success story! I would definitely opt for the surgery so my sweet 11 month old could have a happy normal life. Just hoping this is what the vet says as well. Sounds like we have more diagnostic tests to do to see the liver and shunts to know what we're up against. He is the sweetest dog ever and should not have to go through this. Thanks again for all the advice, and yes a board cert surgeon, I am researching only those who specialize in shunt/liver issues.

I'm so happy you are calming down some. I think it really helps to talk and hear from those who have had littles face this.

From what I read, it would be bile acid tests (and even those could be skewed) and an ultrasound, which is best for seeing a shunt.

I will keep praying and check back for updates

Yogi yorkie · 04-21-2013, 06:08 PM

I actually found a potential surgeon, dr berent at NY Animal medical center in manhattan, she has done over 125 shunt surgeries and more important, in her picture on the website, she is holding a yorkie!, she must be good! But I will keep researching this with the help of my vet. It feels good to be doing something!

ladyjane · 04-21-2013, 06:46 PM

You can find a board certified surgeon in your area at this website:

ACVS - Diplomate Directory

You can also look them up by name.

107barney · 04-21-2013, 08:17 PM

Wow I'm just reading about Yogi. I'm so sorry that you and he are going through this. I haven't been there personally, but I know that AMC is a fine facility. You also have Cornell if that isn't too far. Best wishes.

107barney · 04-21-2013, 08:19 PM

Oh I see Dr Berent is Cornell trained but she's an internal medicine specialist. Perhaps someone else does the actual shunt surgery?

Yogi yorkie · 04-22-2013, 04:42 AM

Yes a Dr chick weisse may be the one. I was hold Yogi ate well but is not standing, just laying, I will go see him soon and today we will bring him to wherever we decide is his next step, probably manhattan from what I am researching, but still looking...thanks

ladyjane · 04-22-2013, 05:01 AM

I will be thinking of you and Yogi today....he is lucky to have such an attentive mom!

GeorgiesMomma · 04-22-2013, 06:48 AM

I am thinking about you and Yogi today as well. Sending prayers and positive thoughts your way.

Nancy1999 · 04-22-2013, 08:46 AM

Sending prayers for you and Yogi.

MauiGirl · 04-22-2013, 09:14 AM

Good thoughts and prayers are going out to Yogi and you.

I am happy to see you have some good facilities nearby where he can be treated if it does turn out to be a liver shunt.

lexi43 · 04-22-2013, 09:35 AM

Keeping our fingers and paws crossed for Yogi. I see you live in New York. I live in Deer Park Long Island and if you need a great animal hospital with the greatest doctors I can give you one. My Oliver was just operated on two weeks ago for Juvenile cataracts and he's almost perfect now. They have every kind of doctor you can think of.

04-21-2013, 04:40 PM	#32
ladyjane Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 27,490	I am sorry you are dealing with this. If it is a shunt, it is fixable! Try to think positive. I know it is scary, but hopefully he can just have the surgery and be fine. One of my pups just had LS surgery this past Feb. and he is doing well....here is Teddy Bear's thread: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...ver-shunt.html I like this link about liver shunts: ACVS - Portosystemic Shunts (PSS) I also highly recommend that you seek out a board certified surgeon for this surgery...I think you did mention a specialist. I will keep you and your Yogi in my thoughts and prayers. I hope if you read Teddy Bear's thread it might give you some comfort. He did amazingly well after the surgery. It really was not as bad as I had thought it would be for him. __________________ CLOUD NINE BEDS--YORKIE HAVEN RESCUE MY ETSY SHOP

04-21-2013, 05:53 PM	#33
Yogi yorkie Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: New City NY USA Posts: 96	Many thanks Thanks all, I am calmer now, just spoke to vet, yogi seems to be responding to IV fluids and meds and is sleeping now. I will see him in the am. I read all links, very helpful, especially seeing Teddy Bears success story! I would definitely opt for the surgery so my sweet 11 month old could have a happy normal life. Just hoping this is what the vet says as well. Sounds like we have more diagnostic tests to do to see the liver and shunts to know what we're up against. He is the sweetest dog ever and should not have to go through this. Thanks again for all the advice, and yes a board cert surgeon, I am researching only those who specialize in shunt/liver issues.

04-21-2013, 06:46 PM	#37
ladyjane Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 27,490	You can find a board certified surgeon in your area at this website: ACVS - Diplomate Directory You can also look them up by name. __________________ CLOUD NINE BEDS--YORKIE HAVEN RESCUE MY ETSY SHOP

04-21-2013, 08:17 PM	#38
107barney T. Bumpkins & Co. Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New England Posts: 9,816	Wow I'm just reading about Yogi. I'm so sorry that you and he are going through this. I haven't been there personally, but I know that AMC is a fine facility. You also have Cornell if that isn't too far. Best wishes. __________________ T. Bumpkins & Co. Washable Doggie Pee Pads (Save 10% Enter YTSAVE10 at checkout) Cathy, Teddy, Winston and Baby Clyde...RIP angels Barney and Daisy

04-21-2013, 08:19 PM	#39
107barney T. Bumpkins & Co. Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New England Posts: 9,816	Oh I see Dr Berent is Cornell trained but she's an internal medicine specialist. Perhaps someone else does the actual shunt surgery? __________________ T. Bumpkins & Co. Washable Doggie Pee Pads (Save 10% Enter YTSAVE10 at checkout) Cathy, Teddy, Winston and Baby Clyde...RIP angels Barney and Daisy

04-21-2013, 06:08 PM	#36
Yogi yorkie Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: New City NY USA Posts: 96	I actually found a potential surgeon, dr berent at NY Animal medical center in manhattan, she has done over 125 shunt surgeries and more important, in her picture on the website, she is holding a yorkie!, she must be good! But I will keep researching this with the help of my vet. It feels good to be doing something!

04-22-2013, 04:42 AM	#40
Yogi yorkie Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: New City NY USA Posts: 96	Yes a Dr chick weisse may be the one. I was hold Yogi ate well but is not standing, just laying, I will go see him soon and today we will bring him to wherever we decide is his next step, probably manhattan from what I am researching, but still looking...thanks

04-22-2013, 05:01 AM	#41
ladyjane Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 27,490	I will be thinking of you and Yogi today....he is lucky to have such an attentive mom! __________________ CLOUD NINE BEDS--YORKIE HAVEN RESCUE MY ETSY SHOP

04-22-2013, 06:48 AM	#42
GeorgiesMomma I love TBCG! Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MD Posts: 7,227	I am thinking about you and Yogi today as well. Sending prayers and positive thoughts your way. __________________ Morgan Mommy toGeorgie boy & Isaiah RIP sweet Coco 10/12/99-8/1/12 Read About Georgie's Experience with Atlantoaxial Instability (AAI) Here!

04-22-2013, 08:46 AM	#43
Nancy1999 I ♥ Joey & Ralphie! Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 25,396 Blog Entries: 2	Sending prayers for you and Yogi. __________________ NancyJoey Proud members of the CrAzYcLuB and YAP! ** Just Say No to Puppymills – Join YAP! Yorkshire Terrier Club of America – Breeder Referrals

04-22-2013, 09:14 AM	#44
MauiGirl Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Maui, Hawaii Posts: 7,740	Good thoughts and prayers are going out to Yogi and you. I am happy to see you have some good facilities nearby where he can be treated if it does turn out to be a liver shunt. __________________ SANDY, MOM TO TIKI , KAYLA , KARLEE , R.I.P. MEIKA

04-22-2013, 09:35 AM	#45
lexi43 YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Deer Park New York Posts: 1,586	Keeping our fingers and paws crossed for Yogi. I see you live in New York. I live in Deer Park Long Island and if you need a great animal hospital with the greatest doctors I can give you one. My Oliver was just operated on two weeks ago for Juvenile cataracts and he's almost perfect now. They have every kind of doctor you can think of.