a New Message from LaviniaHyacynth

[LaviniaHyacynth]

Hi Everybody, I decided to keep writing in the hopes that I can, at the very least, help someone else out there that might be struggling with this alone. Liver Shunt is a sad journey....especially if your dog, like Vivi, has an inoperable situation. It seems that every time I think we are heading in a positive direction something else comes along and sets us back. Yesterday I wrote that Vivi had a great day and she did...she seemed so energetic and happy.Today she is crouched in her bed and sleeping fitfully.I have given her pain meds and they make her very drowsy so all she can do is sleep. I have learned so much about how the liver works and part of my helping Vivi has been balancing her diet. This is a shot in the dark. It is a day in and day out struggle to provide her with enough protein to keep her going but not enough to cause neurological symptoms like head pressing and circling. Lactolose helps with this but sometimes things get out of balance. Too little protein and her albumin level will drop and she will develop ascites which is a liquid build up in her body that can cause organ failure if not controlled. Last night due to the fact that she had a great day and was finally hungry I reintroduced protein to her diet....a neccesity to keep the albumin count up. She woke up this morning in a fog and didn't want to eat and has been shaking all day....tremors are another neurological sign that I look out for. So we took 3 steps forward and 2 steps back. It is so frustrating to know that this will not end well....she is not going to get over this. I want to help her with all my heart and soul but I keep hitting a brick wall. To all of you that are experiencing this You know what I mean. Today I returned to feeding her baby food with a syringe and if the tremors continue I will give her a teeny tiny bit of valluim to stop them. Once again a risk due to the pain meds so we always give her far below the dosage to see how much she can tolerate and still help the situation. This is a 24 hour job and one that all of us would gladly take on to save our babies. I have and will continue to care for Vivi until the bad days take over the good ones. I do not want her to suffer. She has been such a fighter and when her will is gone...it will be time to say goodbye. I hope that is a long time off but at this point I just don't know....we are in medical la la land because she has defied all the clinical studies and by definition should not have lived this long. I hope her story will shed some light on this horrible disease.

[Fran42478]

I am sorry I feel awful for you both...PLease know you are in my thoughts and prayers...

Lots of love and hugs

[yorkiemalt]

[psvidesigner]

Just take it day by day. I know it is hard when there is a congenital condition that effects the quality of the life of your cherished pet. It breaks your heart to see what they must endure. Just know that you are not alone in your struggle. We have a little yt rescue. We have had him for about eight to ten weeks now and he is a sick little boy. We are headed down the "road to evaluation" to see what could be wrong with him. Just hold them, pet there little heads and give them love and comfort for as long as they need it. We are put in great charge of such a sweet and loving animal. Please take good care and know that there are others who struggle and are here to support you. You can e mail me when ever you need encouragement or support.

[PANAMA69]

You are such a wonderful person for taking care of your baby so well, prayers are going for you and your little one

[chattiesmom]

It sounds like both you and Vivi are real fighters. I know the pain of living with a Yorkie with a condition for which there is no cure. Sending lots of hugs.

[Isabel]

((((((((((Kathryn))))))))))) I dont even know what to say...

[Yorkieluv]

Hugs to both of you!

[Lexi Rae]

that poor poor baby,,, i just wish she would get better..
hugs to the both of you... prayers still coming

[lisatodd]

i am so sorry. liver shunt seems to be horrible. does anyone know what causes this?

[Yorkieluv]

It's a congenital defect...That's why they say that if your doggie has it, the breeder should be informed because the parents are passing it down. Even though the parents might not have it, they are carrying the gene for it and should not be bred.