Liver shunt questions I have a 2 yr old Yorkie, Chip, that I think has a liver shunt. We are waiting on the results of the last test to get a dx. I am pretty sure it is one. I have asked the vet in the past what was wrong with my baby, but we never got any answers. On Wed, he had a really bad episode. The worst one yet. I rushed him to the vet and finally they took it serious. He was in the hospital for two days getting tests. I want to get the surgery, but they haven't talked to me about it yet as we need one more test result. Anyone out there go through with the surgery? Where was it done at? Cost? What happens after the surgery? I guess I am just full of questions. I want to get the best treatment I can afford, but I see where it is really expensive according to some vets and a lot less with other vets. I read an old forum on here where the cost ranged from $1200 to $6000 I think, but it was really old. Any current prices or where does everyone think the leading edge place to get this surgery is at? |
From what I've read on here, Dr. Tobias at University of Tennessee, is the best person and place to see/go. I'm sure there are other doctors trained by her or other specialists in the field who are also excellent. Here is a link to a PDF written by Dr. Tobias. http://www.vet.utk.edu/clinical/sacs...2013-09-26.pdf A thread on YT: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...nt-repair.html Another thread: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...er-schunt.html I wish you many happy, healthy years with your baby. |
TY lisaly, I hope I have many years with my baby too. I love him so much. I have looked at the TN website. My vet said we would sit down and talk about a referral to UT. I kind of thought they were the best and I am about 4.5 hours away. So I could drive it. But I was wondering if anyone had been there or knew what to expect after the surgery. If I had to be there very long would be the issue of going there. So I also did wonder if anyone knew of any other places, like you said, maybe a vet trained by her. I am in Southern Indiana. |
I don't know that UT is necessarily the best. People say that because Dr. Tobias is a leading researcher in liver shunts. The surgery is not exactly rocket science, BUT I would not allow anyone but a board certified surgeon to do the surgery. I do believe, from what I have heard, that UT is one of the most reasonable places to have it done in terms of cost. The last I heard, it was around $1,800 but that was some time ago. I think if you call there they would give you a ball park figure. My Teddy Bear had surgery last year at a specialty hospital in Houston; but honestly I could not tell you how much because he had other issues and the bill was high because he was in the EC for a night, then in ICU for a night and he had bladder stones. In the end it cost me just under $8,000. I believe shunt correction is probably around $3,000. I can certainly ask on Monday if you want to know how much it is around here...not that it would be the same where you are. As for what happens after surgery, my Teddy did fantastic and most that I know about also do well. Certainly there can be complications in any case. Probably best to wait and see for sure what is going on with your pup. Please keep us posted! |
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Thank you ladyjane, I will check out the website. |
Thank you again ladyjane. On the website I found two surgeons at the same practice 12 miles away. They both studied at UT, one was a professor at UT and the other was an instructor and they both had listed as research and surgery interest of Portosystemic Vascular Anomalies. So I feel a bit better. I will talk to my vet about this hospital as the one running the tests, I really didn't like. |
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The test came back and it looks like Chip will need surgery. That is all I know at the moment. |
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