liver shunt

[Yorkieluv]

Originally Posted by Henry's mom

There is a Yorkie Liver Shunt foundation that offers financial assistance for afflicted pups. I filled out the application and was going to use them but Henry's liver problems resolved (with the exception of a 40 for the post-bile acid test; pre was normal).

Did your vet suspect a mild MVD since it was higher than normal? What kind of liver problems was your little guy having?

[Yorkieluv]

Diggy4, you asked if higher protein foods affect liver shunt babies, and the answer is yes. If they are given high, animal protein diets, they will eventually show hepatic encephalopathy symptoms(ie. drooling, head pressing, seizures, etc.). It's very, very hard on their livers and bodies...

[diggy4]

Originally Posted by Yorkieluv

Diggy4, you asked if higher protein foods affect liver shunt babies, and the answer is yes. If they are given high, animal protein diets, they will eventually show hepatic encephalopathy symptoms(ie. drooling, head pressing, seizures, etc.). It's very, very hard on their livers and bodies...

I had heard protein makes it worse. My baby had 7 seizures in 7 hours...no head pressing but walked in circles, was disoriented and appeared to have affected vision. The ironic thing was, I had fed him steak as a treat, and some small bites of hamburger the night he had his seizures I about lost my mind!!!!!! I jumped to the breeders vet next day and he said, oh.....he wasnt having seizures it was just vomiting and heaving....well No he is a MoRoN! He urinated and pooed himself while seizing thats not VOMITING so, I jumped on here read about yorkies and asked a million and one questions, searched out a vet that did on site blood test, (didnt wanna wait a week for results) found one...had him there next day!!! Like I said results were 5 pre and 7 post. Vet said on the low side meaning great liver function. WOW I just creid sooo happy it wasnt a shunt. But then (always a but) she said his blood sugar is low and he is hypoglycemic. So switched diet and meal schedule...lots of nutrical and he is fine. No more episodes. I didnt realize I could have stopped the seizures with simple Kayro syrup.... My heart goes out to those yorkie moms who do have babies with shunts....Hence why I am interested in donating. Just the thought that diggy had one makes me wanna help thpse who do. I woould like to help the fund that would give money to owners needing surgery. I also think more breeders should at least educate new yorkie owners about the higher than normal risk of BOTH shunts and hypoglycemia with this tiny breed. Had I known, my diggy would have had 1 seizure and not gone through all he did! Well now I know and I tell EVERYONE I see with a yorkie.

[Yorkieluv]

diggy4, I'm soooo glad that your baby does not have a liver shunt!! And I think it's wonderful that you want to donate to those funds to help other owners pay for the liver shunt surgery. You are completely right, more breeders should be educated on liver shunt...Many times, they deny it, instead of taking responsibility for it. Breeders needs to do bile acid testing on pups before letting them go, in my opinion. That's one thing that Terri Shumsky was very ademant about. She encouraged all yorkie owners to have pups bile acid tested before even purchasing one....It's so important.

[diggy4]

I agree...when I tried to tell the breeder about this condition she got all defensive and said "I've never had a pup with this" Well first of all, how do you know that??? She does not keep in contact with all owners.....In My immediate family we have 4 yorkies from her. She has no idea if they have a shunt or not. I was not trying to put her on the defense. I wanted her to know about it thats all!! It's not the breeders fault if a pup has a shunt it is not proven to be hereditary YET I know they assume this and are working on it & do not reccomend breeding a dog with shunt. It is her fault if they have a shunt and the new owner isn't AWARE of it. Like you said a simple bile-acid test would clear everything all up before a pup goes with new owner. Very frustrating to me. I am just glad I became aware of it and educated myself I now feel a lot more capable/comfortable owning Yorkies. I do not take raising a fur baby lightly as I can tell not many people in here do!! Everyone here seems VERY loving! They are family members and should be treated as such. This should be a manditory education process for all Yorkie owners. After going thru what I went thru..(7 seizures in 7 hours) holding my baby wishing I could do something for him feeling that helpless panic, and the answer was in my kitchen cupboard....(Kayro) I just get VERY angry #1 that I did not educate myself before buying this pup, and #2 that she didnt help educate someone taking on one of her pups...You'd think she would want to be educated about them. So to all even THINKING about adding a Yorkie to your family, GET EDUCATED! ESPECIALLY on SHUNTS and HYPOGLYCEMIA (low blood sugar)