Oh, and don't worry too much. The biopsy results on Teddy Bear were relatively good considering....you have to expect some damage when they have a shunt; but Teddy Bear is 8 years old and I would have expected him to be much worse. Hopefully Tibbe will be just fine! You also should not feel guilty...how in the heck would you have knonw??? You have gone to the vet and done all you can!

Toki is on the grain-free Ideal Balance with also some canned senior foods. I guess I considered Hill's IB low protein but compared to Rx foods, it makes sense that it's more moderate. No issues so far.

I'm curious as to what they'll recommend for Tibbe. Hope he's feeling better and getting some rest.

Liver and itching
 

The reason I mentioned this in an earlier post is because I saw this on a search. May be totally useless info and apologies if it is irrelevant.

'Liver Problems and Other Internal Conditions
Itching from liver problems, according to the Mayo Clinic, is all over the body, increases at night, and is not relieved by moisturising, antihistamines or home remedies for dry skin. This type of whole-body itching could also indicate other internal conditions like coeliac disease, iron deficiency anaemia, thyroid problems and certain cancers, including leukaemia and lymphoma.
Why Liver Problems Make Skin Itch
The uncontrollable itching that comes with liver problems happens when the liver can no longer perform its job of filtering toxins out of the body, according to the University of Illinois Medical Center. As the bile and wastes build up in your blood, they make the skin incredibly itchy, especially at night.'

My grandfather had this problem. The hospital put mittens on him at night so he would not scratch too much. Jeanie I wonder if you could get socks for Tibbe so he would not scratch himself raw?

I am praying for Tibbe. That poor little dog is going through so much and so are you! Know that we all are hoping for good news.

Thank you! I did know from working in medicine so long that liver disease can cause whole-body or isolated itching and that was always a consideration but Tibbe's only seems to be associated with certain foods - so far. He's always occas. rubbed his face when I'm getting up to take him outside or he goes to the restroom with me - I say always - he does it sporadically and not every day but only at those times when he does do it. But since his food change, both with the RC GI and the Hill's I/D Low Fat, he started rubbing his body/face/head and scratching within a short certain period of time after eating them and rubs/scratches nonstop on everything he can find. Is extremely restless and moves from one place to another, whines - asking me to help him stop this feeling. And after those two foods, the rubbing/scratching is just continual and unremitting and obviously terribly stressful and exhausting. If his itching didn't always seem tied to food, I would think it was from just the liver itself but it very well still could be the foods he can't tolerate irritate his liver in some extra way and/or he's just allergic to something in them. And the vet did mention his itching could be from just his liver but it didn't seem to be so far.

Dottiesyrky, I thank you so much for posting this great information because it is something that everyone should know about the liver and itching! It is posts like yours that keep YorkieTalk the mine of information that it is and teaching me and others every single day. On Tibbe's other sick thread about this, I've picked up so much information I didn't know about shunts and diagnostics and treatment - it would have taken me days to have found all of that online just searching! Days.

So many threads about sick dogs on YT are loaded with this kind of information from all of ya'll. I purposefully don't go into the Sick/Injured section much because I can't be much help there and it is so upsetting. But this information post by dottiesyrky and so many of you on those Sick/Injured threads is making me rethink that. I need to read more of this kind of information just for general knowledge as a dog owner and on those threads, I see a lot of this kind of post. I need to know way, way more so I'm going to start reading more in that section.

If it weren't for YT, I highly doubt Tibbe's advance toward getting a diagnosis would be anywhere near as close as it is tonight. Bless the day I joined YT!

The vet let him come home for the night and he's got his new meds, directions to go back to Hill's I/D GI until his imaging test and the internist consult and she'l tell me what to do then. He said expect him to be sleepy tonight and thank God, he is. He's asleep! So far since we got home, no itching! Vet said his N&V shouldn't recur tonight from his meds given there this afternoon though and just call the imaging center - Animal Imaging in Irving, Texas tomorrow and set up the test and then he'll call with the results and who to see next, likely the internist. He said they might give him a bit of anesthesia for the test to keep him still but we need the test - so be it. He's got a little dressing on his left foreleg from the IV.

So far tonight, so good. Please keep your prayers and good thoughts coming. I could hug each one of you as I read your consoling and hopeful, helpful words.

I'm still praying for your baby and hated to see that his results came back abnormal. Virtual hugs to both of you. Hoping you can get a bit of rest tonight so you can determine the next best step for your baby.

Prayers for Tibbe and for you, Jeanie. I hope you have a restful night.

Sending prayers. Get some rest

Definitely get some rest, lady! If Tibbe is resting tonight, you should too. As much as you can get; you don't need to let yourself get worn down!

He got up just now and stretched and yawned, got water and went right back to bed. For some reason, he's electing to sleep in his airline carrier with his CedricNLola blanket filling the bottom on top of the little fuzzy pad in it. I just sat it down right by the couch when we got back from the vet tonight and he drank water, went outside and back into it. He came with me to the bathroom while I showered and changed into my gown and then he spent some time with me on the couch and then right back down into his carrier. I think he feels comfy there and it is right by the couch so I can see his face by leaning down some.

Still no itching, restlessness, vomiting, diarrhea or anything like last night! I'm so happy that he's resting tonight, so grateful for vets and dog-smart people. I think I might even be able to sleep some tonight in spite of the sneezing. My trips to the restroom are better today, too.

Glad you're feeling better... and Tibbe too!:D

Tibbe
 

Thank you for your kind words on my itching info and for taking my comment in the spirit in which it was posted. I did not know the history of Tibbe and his reactions to food, but now from what you stated, it does seem he does have sensitivity to food. That is a pain especially if his diet may be limited to foods that may not suit him. I am so happy his trip to the vet today has left him more peaceful and comfortable. What a difference from yesterday and last night. You must be so relieved to see him resting and behaving in a mainly normal fashion tonight. He feels very calm and secure in his little carrier, knowing you are near him and watching over him. I am sorry you are not feeling well yourself, but you have been through hell and back these past days and nights, and it has taken its toll on your health. Hope a peaceful and uneventful sleep tonight will leave you feeling so much better tomorrow. You sure need a rest!
You are right about the great support of YT members, it is so comforting and helpful to hear the experiences of and help from others who have been through similar trials with their babies. I know I have been so grateful for YT when my babies have had health and other issues that concerned me.
Hoping the remaining tests allow a definitive diagnosis and successful treatment soon. Prayers and warm wishes for Tibbe and you. Sweet dreams!

I am so happy to hear that he has no itching, restlessness, vomiting or diarrhea. I hope the drs will have answers for you this morning. I wish i had some wisdom to give you. it breaks my heart that he is sick. Good thoughts and blessings to you both.

More prayers for Tibbe and for you Jeanie. Trust the wisdom of the vets. Tibbe is in good hands, those vets are sharp and are doing all they can for little sweetheart Tibbe. Good thing taking care of yourself so you can be there for him. Just eat little small meals but keep up your strength. I wish I was in Texas so I could be there with you and help out. My prayers surrounding you and Tibbe.

Just popping in for an update, and to see how your night went. Still praying, still trusting, still believing. Hugs and love.

I'm glad you have the BAT results even if they weren't good. At least you can move fwd with treatment. You and sweet Tibbe are in my thoughts and prayers!

:( I always avoid this section because I can not handle reading about the sick pups, now I feel bad that I missed this before!! Sending tons of thoughts and prayers to Tibbe!!

We slept in this morning and I only woke once in the night. Checked on Tibbe and he was sleeping, respirations about 75, ears/belly not hot, he aroused when I touched him but lay back down and seemed to go back to sleep. I eyeballed his gums and they looked okay, pink but not like when he's active and are brighter so I lay back down and slept.

He's very remote and detached this morning, just lying about. His vitals ok, tummy feel pliant and soft. He's pee'd twice, I hand-fed him 1 1/2 T. softened Hill's I/D GI(which he's been on since last June/July until that brief change to the Low Fat version) at 8:45 am and about 10:00 am, had another 1/4 t. of the mixture licked from my finger. If I say "the garbage truck is coming!" he will get up and actually jump to back of couch and into window sill it backs into and bark once or twice and then lie right back down. He's drunk at least 1/4 cup water since I brought him home from the vet last night despite IV fluids. He apparently never drinks or pees at the vet as when he comes home, he's so thirsty and pees for 30 seconds at a time! I think the medication also dries him out and maybe his liver disease, too.

The vet had called in Metronidazole yesterday to a compounding pharmacy that was to call me for payment details but they didn't. Since they didn't call, I figured he'd changed his mind about giving that drug so the pharmacy was closed when I picked Tibbe up at the vet last night! I should have called during the day but my brain wasn't functioning at all and I just didn't think beyond thinking the vet decided against that. Anyway, it is ready this morning and I'm going to go get it as soon as I'm sure Tibbe's not going to get nauseated or have diarrhea from his food. Vet also sent Metoclopramide Syrup for N&V home with us last night but so far, Tibbe hasn't seemed to need any.

Every time he got up last night I was scared he would start in rubbing/scratching/wallowing nonstop but he never did but once and that seemed a normal belly scratch for a couple of seconds. Hopefully, that awful itching has gone.

I have to call and schedule his test today when I get back from the pharmacy and give Tibbs his first dose and then we're just going to hang together and hopefully things will go well. I'm afraid to even look at the size effects of Metronidazole but will later just in case. I need a YorkieTalk Library refresher course on canine CPR and other things like that today so I'll do that, too.

I just sneezed again and Tibbe looked right at me, ears perked up, like he always does. That's a good sign.

Thank you all again for all these strong and comforting words.

Keeping you and Tibbe in my prayers.

Sending out a lot of Good thoughts and Blessings to you both

Tibbe
 

Hello.
Thanks so much for the update. Glad you all got a good night's sleep at last and that Tibbe is doing so well. Sorry he has to take horrible drugs, but if he needs it, it has to be. Don't read too much side effect data, that can be scary! Many dogs here have the M drug and seem fine with it. Good luck with the upcoming tests. Hope you are feeling stronger and more positive today. All will be fine, he is being well treated by the vets and you are on the path to successful healing.
WTG Tibbe, we are praying for you.

Okay. Just boohoo'd. Guess I'm not that stable right now but reading your words got right to me! Good tears, though. :)

Sorry I wasn't able to make it online yesterday. Just now reading all of this. I think you are on the right path so am happy to read that and the recent updates.

Just know that Tibbe and YOU are in my prayers. Hugs!

Jeanie.....I have been following your other thread - only just now seen all of this :(

I'm completely rubbish about medical things - but just want you to know that I'm thinking of you, and prayers are winging their way across the ocean.

A huge great big hug to you and sweet Tibbe from Aunty Sally + Prince Harry :) xx

Keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers. I know how hard it is to have a sick baby. Thank God he has you for a mom cus' you'll do everything possible to make him comfortable. Hope it's minor and can be controlled by a simple diet! Hugs to you both.
Jackie

Jeannie Im sorry I know you are just beside yourself. Im hoping if this is a shunt it is a mild one and can be easily controlled. I hope you get to the bottom of Tibbes itching also. Im keeping him in my good thoughts and prayers

Jeanie honestly Tibbe has the best guardian and nurse ever. I marvel at how aware and contentious you are about the slightest changes in Tibbe. How helpful for the Vets that are treating him. I hope the stress eases for both you and Tibbe. You both are in our prayers.

Thank you for your sweet words! They help so much.

Got Tibbe to eat again a few soft kibbles, waited 45 mins and went to the pharmacy. Gave him the Metronidazole 20 mg. per 1 ml. liquid - 1 ml. by mouth and very shortly after let him eat another 12 soft pieces of kibble so that drug won't hit his tummy so hard. He would have eaten more but too scared of nausea. Watched several CPR videos and read our YT CPR instructions too about small dog CPR and read about it some other sites. I reviewed all the pulse points and where the heart is and all that. Got my rates down. Now, if he just won't get sick or have any bad reactions or anything, we should be okay until the next dose.

One of his tricks he does in training is "Make a Happy Tail" and he will cock his tail way way up high for praise/treat. He's carrying it out straight today but he did get it up pretty far when I asked him to make a happy tail. Normally his tail is always pretty well-cocked up but I did teach him to do that when it's down and he's acting fearful. It always seems to help him work through his fear of the moment to get that tail up. Now today when he's sick, he even did it for me a little bit. Sweet boy.

This is where it gets too real - have to now call and schedule his test. Whew! Here goes.