Possible liver shunt - YorkieTalk.com Forums

monrod74 · 12-28-2006, 09:53 PM

Hi, I am a new member with a 12 week old female yorkie named Abby. She has has her share of health problems in the short time ( one month ) that we have had her. She has had an ear infection, coccidia, bouts of hypoglycemia, and the latest issue is a possible liver shunt. I say possible because it has not been diagnosed although the vet mentioned it the possibility at two previous visits. Her symptoms for what I believe a liver shunt started Saturday and when we took her in the vet said it was most likely hypoglycemia. She was sent home with Nutri-cal. She kept on getting progressively worse but it was intermittent as she did have happy periods. Well, long story short, she is much worse today and the emergency vet hospital said definitive diagnosis would require a bile acid test which they do not perform

What is the point of taking her in if they won't be able to diagnose. At this point I do not think its her sugar since she has had 5 cc of sugar water, nutri-cal and pancake syrup and no change after 30 minutes of being given these. Any suggestions? We are really upset and love her to death.

MGrether · 12-28-2006, 10:01 PM

I understand completely what you are going through. As for foods to try, the only food our puppy would eat was spaghetti & chicken... worth a shot. Also, ask about possible neurological issues (that is what ours ended up being).

I wish you the best...

Patti · 12-29-2006, 06:57 AM

I would get her to a vet who can provide comprehensive care and getthe Bile Acid test done. Cali had many of the same problems at that age and the Bile Acid test when she was 7 months old, had to be done while she was inpatient because they have to fast them for 12 hours and CAli had had 3 episodes of hypoglycemia so they kept her on an IV during the test. She did end up having a mild internal liver shunt but no treatment was necessary. She seemed to outgrow all of her health issues so hopefully you can get your baby thru this crisis and she will get better and better. Good luck and keep us posted.

monrod74 · 12-30-2006, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patti

I would get her to a vet who can provide comprehensive care and getthe Bile Acid test done. Cali had many of the same problems at that age and the Bile Acid test when she was 7 months old, had to be done while she was inpatient because they have to fast them for 12 hours and CAli had had 3 episodes of hypoglycemia so they kept her on an IV during the test. She did end up having a mild internal liver shunt but no treatment was necessary. She seemed to outgrow all of her health issues so hopefully you can get your baby thru this crisis and she will get better and better. Good luck and keep us posted.

Hi again,
Thank you so very much for the uplifting report. It really gave me some hope. I took Abby to her regular vet yesterday and after bloodwork he diagnosed her with the liver shunt. He put her on meds and said this would not cure her but treat some symptoms. Only cure would be surgery. Well, after 1st dose yesterday she was a new puppy. Very happy, perky and eating a lot. Did your yorkie get meds when she was Abby's age (12 weeks)? She is on lactulose to remove ammonia from her system and an antibiotic also. I hope I am not getting my hopes up but I really think she can make it thru like your Cali and outgrow all this. Please let me know how it started with Cali. I know that if she made it my Abby has a chance. I am really down but try to keep my faith that she will get better. Talk to you soon

YorkieRose · 12-30-2006, 08:42 AM

I am so sorry to hear about your puppy. It is very important to contact the breeder and make them aware of the problem...you are due a refund and compensation under Florida animal laws..and the parents should not be rebred...and as a long time breeder I would go over all my pedigrees and spay/neuter any full siblings.
Liver shunt will not be stopped until the bloodlines are rid of the carriers...most long time breeders are aware of the common Liver shunt carriers.

red98vett · 12-30-2006, 09:42 AM

you got some good help - I just wanted to say how sorry I am that you're going thru this and really hope you find out what's happening so she can be treated and LIVE....poor baby ...that's so sad and we're seeing way to much of this lately.

My heart goes out to you. GOOD luck and I hope you can find a vet that will take the necessary steps to getting this little girl better....

having a puppy should be a happy time.

livingdustmops · 12-30-2006, 11:40 AM

Here is an excellent website which might help answer some of your questions sponsored by Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue.

http://www.livershunt.com/

Make sure you review the doctors/research section along with the updates from Dr. Tobias.

Patti · 12-30-2006, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monrod74

Hi again,
Thank you so very much for the uplifting report. It really gave me some hope. I took Abby to her regular vet yesterday and after bloodwork he diagnosed her with the liver shunt. He put her on meds and said this would not cure her but treat some symptoms. Only cure would be surgery. Well, after 1st dose yesterday she was a new puppy. Very happy, perky and eating a lot. Did your yorkie get meds when she was Abby's age (12 weeks)? She is on lactulose to remove ammonia from her system and an antibiotic also. I hope I am not getting my hopes up but I really think she can make it thru like your Cali and outgrow all this. Please let me know how it started with Cali. I know that if she made it my Abby has a chance. I am really down but try to keep my faith that she will get better. Talk to you soon

Cali was diagnosed through a liver biopsy and elevated Bile acids with an inoperable internal liver shunt. Her's is cery mild according to the vet so she doesn't need medicine I just keep her on a low protein diet. With the external shunt they can do surgery which is pretty successful. In the mean time medicine and diet can help her live normally. Cali was just unhealthy right from the start, coccidia, kennel cough, ear infections hypoglycemia and she was constantly at the vets but when she turned 9 months she just got so much better. I did notify the breeder and she said she would not breed her parents again but who really knows. I will keep Abby in my prayers for a return to health.

Chrissy0277 · 12-30-2006, 06:08 PM

I would suggest you join this yahoo group for dogs with Livershunt and MVD
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/L...d_MVD_Support/

There are alot of people there who are loaded with LS info and can point you in the right direction. There is an excellent vet in Tenn who specializes in LS and does the surgery. From what I read she also has the best prices on the surgery.

monrod74 · 12-30-2006, 07:58 PM

Thank you, I will certainly go to the group web site because I do need all info I can get regarding her condition. I will do anything to help her get better and not suffer as much. Thank you for your concern.

monrod74 · 12-30-2006, 08:12 PM

[QUOTE=Patti]Cali was diagnosed through a liver biopsy and elevated Bile acids with an inoperable internal liver shunt. Her's is cery mild according to the vet so she doesn't need medicine I just keep her on a low protein diet. With the external shunt they can do surgery which is pretty successful. In the mean time medicine and diet can help her live normally. Cali was just unhealthy right from the start, coccidia, kennel cough, ear infections hypoglycemia and she was constantly at the vets but when she turned 9 months she just got so much better. I did notify the breeder and she said she would not breed her parents again but who really knows. I will keep Abby in my prayers for a return to health.[/QUOTE

Sounds like Abby all over again. Diagnosed w/ ear infection 2 days after we got her, coccidia 1 week after that, and now the liver shunt. She has not had kennel cough thankfully but does have hypoglycemia. Thank you so much for sharing your story. It really has given me hope that all this will be over soon and with God's help.

monrod74 · 12-30-2006, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YorkieRose

I am so sorry to hear about your puppy. It is very important to contact the breeder and make them aware of the problem...you are due a refund and compensation under Florida animal laws..and the parents should not be rebred...and as a long time breeder I would go over all my pedigrees and spay/neuter any full siblings.
Liver shunt will not be stopped until the bloodlines are rid of the carriers...most long time breeders are aware of the common Liver shunt carriers.

At this point I do not think the breeder cares. When we contacted her regarding Abby's condition she was somewhat sympathetic because we were face to face and she saw how sick Abby was. Well, she changed her tune a few hours after and even questioned why I had taken her to ER vet when she was sick w/ coccidia

. I think we made a mistake by not doing our research with this lady but we fell in love with Abby immediately and wanted a puppy for so long. What's done is done and I know my Abby is not a mistake. There is a reason she was put in my care and I will do my best to take good care of her. What is really scary is that the breeder offered to "replace" Abby with a puppy from a new litter she had. I said absolutely not since Abby's dad is also the father of the new litter AND Abby's mom and the litters mom are SISTERS

. I think breeder is in it for money

I wish she knew how much agony she has caused a poor little puppy and her family.

joana · 01-03-2007, 08:31 PM

oh im so sorry to hear that, my Gucci had a liver shunt surgery when he was only 6 months old, he is now 2.5 yrs and doing just fine. I live in chicago but we took him to the University of Tennesse, and all i can say is that they are the best

also we paid about 1/3 of what we would have paid in Chicago, and they will offer the best care for your pet. The doctors name is Dr. Tobias, but my Yorkie had a surgery with one of her interns who had lots of experience. Now my Yorkies bile acids are still slightly elevated but its just a little since he has MVD microvascular dysplasia, and he also does something called fly biting from time to time, he is on L/D and Marin. I would recommend a second opinion, if it is repairable, or if they missed (they did x-ray, ultrasound, and scintography on my puppy, and didnt discover a shunt, besides the fact that his bile acids pre and post meal were very high) So stay positive and ill be praying for your puppy.

12-28-2006, 09:53 PM	#1
monrod74 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: miami Posts: 9	Possible liver shunt Hi, I am a new member with a 12 week old female yorkie named Abby. She has has her share of health problems in the short time ( one month ) that we have had her. She has had an ear infection, coccidia, bouts of hypoglycemia, and the latest issue is a possible liver shunt. I say possible because it has not been diagnosed although the vet mentioned it the possibility at two previous visits. Her symptoms for what I believe a liver shunt started Saturday and when we took her in the vet said it was most likely hypoglycemia. She was sent home with Nutri-cal. She kept on getting progressively worse but it was intermittent as she did have happy periods. Well, long story short, she is much worse today and the emergency vet hospital said definitive diagnosis would require a bile acid test which they do not perform What is the point of taking her in if they won't be able to diagnose. At this point I do not think its her sugar since she has had 5 cc of sugar water, nutri-cal and pancake syrup and no change after 30 minutes of being given these. Any suggestions? We are really upset and love her to death.

12-29-2006, 06:57 AM	#3
Patti Donating YT 30K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 35,509 Blog Entries: 6	I would get her to a vet who can provide comprehensive care and getthe Bile Acid test done. Cali had many of the same problems at that age and the Bile Acid test when she was 7 months old, had to be done while she was inpatient because they have to fast them for 12 hours and CAli had had 3 episodes of hypoglycemia so they kept her on an IV during the test. She did end up having a mild internal liver shunt but no treatment was necessary. She seemed to outgrow all of her health issues so hopefully you can get your baby thru this crisis and she will get better and better. Good luck and keep us posted. __________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html

12-30-2006, 08:42 AM	#5
YorkieRose No Longer a Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 8,577	Liver Shunt I am so sorry to hear about your puppy. It is very important to contact the breeder and make them aware of the problem...you are due a refund and compensation under Florida animal laws..and the parents should not be rebred...and as a long time breeder I would go over all my pedigrees and spay/neuter any full siblings. Liver shunt will not be stopped until the bloodlines are rid of the carriers...most long time breeders are aware of the common Liver shunt carriers.

12-30-2006, 09:42 AM	#6
red98vett Yorkie Kisses are the Best! Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Houston TX Posts: 33,590 Blog Entries: 1	you got some good help - I just wanted to say how sorry I am that you're going thru this and really hope you find out what's happening so she can be treated and LIVE....poor baby ...that's so sad and we're seeing way to much of this lately. My heart goes out to you. GOOD luck and I hope you can find a vet that will take the necessary steps to getting this little girl better.... having a puppy should be a happy time. __________________ Villette, Chanel & Cheri www.DesignsByVillette.net Custom Address Labels and Note Cards using YOUR Photos! Just Click HERE!

12-30-2006, 11:40 AM	#7
livingdustmops Princess Poop A Lot Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 6,728	Here is an excellent website which might help answer some of your questions sponsored by Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue. http://www.livershunt.com/ Make sure you review the doctors/research section along with the updates from Dr. Tobias. __________________ Cindy & The Rescued Gang Puppies Are Not Products!

12-28-2006, 10:01 PM	#2
MGrether Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 28	I understand completely what you are going through. As for foods to try, the only food our puppy would eat was spaghetti & chicken... worth a shot. Also, ask about possible neurological issues (that is what ours ended up being). I wish you the best...

12-30-2006, 06:08 PM	#9
Chrissy0277 Its all about the yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: South Jersey Posts: 1,451	I would suggest you join this yahoo group for dogs with Livershunt and MVD http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/L...d_MVD_Support/ There are alot of people there who are loaded with LS info and can point you in the right direction. There is an excellent vet in Tenn who specializes in LS and does the surgery. From what I read she also has the best prices on the surgery. __________________ CHRISSY Nikki Precious Lizzy Mimi , Lena Taboo

12-30-2006, 07:58 PM	#10
monrod74 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: miami Posts: 9	Thank you, I will certainly go to the group web site because I do need all info I can get regarding her condition. I will do anything to help her get better and not suffer as much. Thank you for your concern.

12-30-2006, 08:12 PM	#11
monrod74 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: miami Posts: 9	Just like Abby [QUOTE=Patti]Cali was diagnosed through a liver biopsy and elevated Bile acids with an inoperable internal liver shunt. Her's is cery mild according to the vet so she doesn't need medicine I just keep her on a low protein diet. With the external shunt they can do surgery which is pretty successful. In the mean time medicine and diet can help her live normally. Cali was just unhealthy right from the start, coccidia, kennel cough, ear infections hypoglycemia and she was constantly at the vets but when she turned 9 months she just got so much better. I did notify the breeder and she said she would not breed her parents again but who really knows. I will keep Abby in my prayers for a return to health.[/QUOTE Sounds like Abby all over again. Diagnosed w/ ear infection 2 days after we got her, coccidia 1 week after that, and now the liver shunt. She has not had kennel cough thankfully but does have hypoglycemia. Thank you so much for sharing your story. It really has given me hope that all this will be over soon and with God's help.

01-03-2007, 08:31 PM	#13
joana BANNED! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: IL Posts: 9	my puppy had liver shunt surgery oh im so sorry to hear that, my Gucci had a liver shunt surgery when he was only 6 months old, he is now 2.5 yrs and doing just fine. I live in chicago but we took him to the University of Tennesse, and all i can say is that they are the best also we paid about 1/3 of what we would have paid in Chicago, and they will offer the best care for your pet. The doctors name is Dr. Tobias, but my Yorkie had a surgery with one of her interns who had lots of experience. Now my Yorkies bile acids are still slightly elevated but its just a little since he has MVD microvascular dysplasia, and he also does something called fly biting from time to time, he is on L/D and Marin. I would recommend a second opinion, if it is repairable, or if they missed (they did x-ray, ultrasound, and scintography on my puppy, and didnt discover a shunt, besides the fact that his bile acids pre and post meal were very high) So stay positive and ill be praying for your puppy.