Liver shunt in yorkies
 

My yorkie has been having what they look like partial seizures or tremors and I was told it could be she has a liver shunt. I was told this is very common in yorkies. Has anyone had a yorkie with liver shunt? Is there treatment?

Liver shunt is very common with Yorkies. There is treatment for it as well. Our first Yorkie, Bella, has a liver shunt. She had a surgery to help repair it, but still has to eat a specific food that is low in protein to help her liver.
That being said, tremors and or seizures are really not one of the main symptoms of liver shunt. I would recommend taking her to a vet that is knowledgeable with this breed for a thorough once over to track down what might be wrong.

LS is very common in yorkies and surgery is an option. Is there a Vet school near you?

request a fasting bile acid test and if results are high then request a CT Scan as this is the most reliable scan to show any liver shunt. I had a Yorkie who did have seizures at 6 months and did some staggering so we tested sugars first and they were normal so we then did bile acids and CT scan. She did have liver shunt.

Here is a brochure written by Dr. Karen Tobias at the University of TN. Perhaps you will find this information helpful:

https://vetmed.tennessee.edu/vmc2/Do...D-Brochure.pdf

Hello, I have a 11 & 1/2 mon. little female Yorki. We took her in to be spayed at the age of 6 Months. The vet called us aprox. 2 hr. later & told us that she did not want to do the surgery because she felt it was to risky. When Pixie's blood work came back, the vet said that her A.L.T. 's were sitting at 150. Then the vet said she suspects Pixie may have a liver shunt. She went back for another set of blood test 3 mon. later but her A.L.T.'s were still high. Does anyone know what is the normal A.L.T. no. even are cause I'm wondering if this might be low for a liver shunt or really high. The vet put her on a medication called ' Zentonil'. She takes 100 mg. every morning. She goes back in Oct. for another round of blood tests but we are praying her numbers are now lower so surgery is not reccomended because there is no way we have the funds to pay for it. My Husband & I just can't see how she can be sick because she has no other symptoms besides the blood work. I'm just wondering if other people that have had experience with this, could explain what kinds of things they have experienced with their dog & what advice I can get of how to help her. She is on Royal Cabin Media cal dog food that the vet put her on because it is low in protein. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

Has your vet not suggested doing bile acid testing? An elevated ALT could mean so many things. I have seen them be elevated and then go back down in time. Sometimes they don't have symptoms with a liver shunt, so you cannot go by that either.

Bile acid testing is really inexpensive...that is what I would ask about! It is usually around $80 You would have a much better idea then.

Good luck and please keep us posted.

Liver shunt in Yorkies.
 

Yes, I believe Ixie did have the bio- acid test because on her 2nd vet visit, she had to fast the night before & than she kept there all day. They said they took her blood, than let her eat & than took her blood again. I believe that was the test you are talking about cause I remember the vet saying something about her bio-acids. When she goes back in Oct. the vet said she does not have to stay all day, just bring her in, do blood & go home.

Ask them what the numbers were on that test. It is Bile Acid testing.

The only thing we were told was that Pixie's A.L.T' s are 150. I was not aware that there was another number I needed to know but I will ask my vet at Pixie's next app. Thank you ladyJane.

This is a great brochure that you should read. It will explain all of these things to you....

https://vetmed.tennessee.edu/vmc2/Do...D-Brochure.pdf

Thank you so much ladyjane. I will definitely read it because we are so afraid for our little girl. We lost a best friend 1 yr ago on Sept. 9th & than another one this past Mar. 27th, I could not handle losing another one. 😢😢😢

I am so sorry. :( Hopefully this won't be so bad. Keep us posted...

Hey ladyjane, just want to sat thank you again for telling me to read the pamphlet on liver shunts. I did read it but it might as well been written in French because I hardly understood a word of it. Don't know if I'm just dumb or what but I do not understand all the big words they used. I guess I'm just going to have to wait till I see the vet again in Oct. 😢😢😢

It can be overwhelming. Sorry about that. Let us know how things go.