Liver Shunt

[sophiesmominva]

Wow a tiny pup! That is great news about her weight gain! The surgeon told me 2 to 4 weeks for the shunt to close, he indicated that they do not know for sure but that is the theory. Do you mind sharing your dog's bile acid tests results before surgery and after you had her tested post-op?

[ladyjane]

Just seeing this. Hope that Sadie is doing well.

[sophiesmominva]

I think it is so sad to see so many Yorkies having liver shunts. My best advice when getting a Yorkie (regardless of the breeder or source), is to get insurance immediately! I was also told that a puppy has to be 6 months or older before they can even diagnose a shunt. So even if you have a clean bill of health from the vet as a puppy, they can still have a shunt (this happened to me). GET INSURANCE, please.

[ladyjane]

That's very true...they often don't show up for years. My Teddy Bear was diagnosed as an (approx) 8 year old. I had adopted him in 2007 and he was diagnosed in 2013. Prior to that he was seen by my vet on a regular basis and dentals done...had blood work done 8 times over that time span and there were never any irregularities.

Here is the thread about his diagnosis and treatment. He is a happy boy now and doing fantastic!

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

[Sadie2012]

I posted about two weeks ago under Liver Shunt. My vet thought my Sadie had a liver shunt after a seizure, elevated ATL and bile acid tests. What we've been through since.
Took her to an internist who did an ultra sound, no shunt found.
Took her to a surgeon did a CT, no shunt...she has no shunt.
Did biopsies waiting for results. Doctor found no cirrhosis, no tumors. Her liver was discolored and "soft" whatever that means. I cannot find any information and the waiting is killing me. I am so worried. Anyone have any idea?

[Russpilot]

Originally Posted by sophiesmominva

Wow a tiny pup! That is great news about her weight gain! The surgeon told me 2 to 4 weeks for the shunt to close, he indicated that they do not know for sure but that is the theory. Do you mind sharing your dog's bile acid tests results before surgery and after you had her tested post-op?

At one month post op, her Pre # was 105.8 and her post was not noted because she was still high.
Prior to surgery, her first numbers were 96.4 Pre and 136.8 post.


We are hoping for some improvement when we go back for her 3 month post op and 6 month retest.

[sophiesmominva]

Sophie had her blood work and bile acid done on Friday -- about 8 weeks post liver shunt surgery. Waiting on results of bile test but her pre surgery ALT results were 225 and now her ALT is 102 (only 2 points outside normal range) and that is good news. Hopeful her bile acids are down too. as pre-surgery they were 350.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by sophiesmominva

Sophie had her blood work and bile acid done on Friday -- about 8 weeks post liver shunt surgery. Waiting on results of bile test but her pre surgery ALT results were 225 and now her ALT is 102 (only 2 points outside normal range) and that is good news. Hopeful her bile acids are down too. as pre-surgery they were 350.

Thanks for the update! Glad all is well!

[Russpilot]

Great news!! We go back for the three months recheck in Sept and are hoping for similar numbers.

[Sadie2012]

UPDATE:

We have been from one specialist to another....After ultra sounds, CT scans and biopsies Sadie has been diagnosed with Microvascular Dysplasia of her liver, not a shunt. She will have dietary changes and meds. she has had a second seizure but not as bad as the first and from all reports she should live a relatively normal life with a normal life expectancy.

[Missy T]

Hi there,

I pray that your little bundles of joy are doing well. My little guy Braxton is slated to have a bile test tomorrow to determine if he has liver shunts. Please let me know if any of your babies experienced itching? He had a neurological episode (which I believe was low surgar) and he itches constantly. He has not experienced the common symptoms. Thanks for your input!

[Russpilot]

Come to think of it, Bella was a lot more itchy before she had the surgery, but I didn't think of it until I read your post. That being said, it wasn't an all the time itching, but she did seem to itch more pre surgery than she does these days.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Russpilot

Come to think of it, Bella was a lot more itchy before she had the surgery, but I didn't think of it until I read your post. That being said, it wasn't an all the time itching, but she did seem to itch more pre surgery than she does these days.

You know, people with liver issues have itchy skin when they are jaundiced....I wonder if it is the same with dogs.

I need to check that out...curious now...

[Missy T]

Thanks for the responses. Brax's bile duct test came back inconclusive. The test was elevated, but not enough to diagnose a shunt. Now, he's on a rx diet to see if this helps with his itching. The vet wants to do another bile duct test to be sure in a few weeks. I may just watch him before we decide to more testing.

Anyone have any experience with royal canine hydrolyzed protein food?

[ladyjane]

I have two pups on Hill's Ultra Z/D which is a hydrolized protein food and they are doing well on it. One has gastro issues and the other had a liver shunt repair and has MVD.
I imagine the RC is about the same. RC and Hill's both have similar RX foods and they usually work out well for the pups. I hope it helps Braxton's itching.