Something is wrong with Teddi!

[addicted]

Originally Posted by RONLYNN

I talked to the doctors and they said that people think that the parents should be tested and that it has something to do with that but they said that has never been proven. They said it is something that just happens and they have never been able to trace it back to anything, including the parents. He said that it is a myth that if the parents are tested and are clean that the puppies will not have it....he said a lot of people believe that but that is not the case.

Oh, I see... I just hope little Teddi is doing well pre op and post op. Keep your head up Ronda. All of us are here for you!!!

[Belindtch]

Oh, we are so sorry to hear about Teddi. Glad that the doctors figured out what the problem is and that she can have an operation. Hopefully, all will go well and she will be back to 100% in no time. We will keep you and Teddi in our thoughts and prayers. I have been reading your posts and threads about Teddi but had no idea that you were our SB this time. We are all wishing her a speedy recovery and the best in the future. Do you know yet when her surgery will be? Keep us posted on what is going on with her. Sending our thoughts and prayers to you from Georgia.


Yorkie hugs and kisses to Teddi.

Belinda and Emily Kate (Emmy)

[mistyinca]

Originally Posted by RONLYNN

I talked to the doctors and they said that people think that the parents should be tested and that it has something to do with that but they said that has never been proven. They said it is something that just happens and they have never been able to trace it back to anything, including the parents. He said that it is a myth that if the parents are tested and are clean that the puppies will not have it....he said a lot of people believe that but that is not the case.

That is correct. When Chloe's bile acids tested high (they were still rather low even though they were higher than what is normal), I learned a lot about it. The parents can be carriers and not have the problems themselves. Also, there is a lot of debate over whether it has a lot to do with diet and environment. Who is to say for sure.

We had Chloe tested because she wasn't eating well at all, and that is one of the symtoms. But since she started eating better, and has never shown any other signs, we decided to hold off on any further tests. I will be getting her tested again soon to see if there is a change in her BAT numbers.

[laurenr]

Originally Posted by RONLYNN

I talked to the doctors and they said that people think that the parents should be tested and that it has something to do with that but they said that has never been proven. They said it is something that just happens and they have never been able to trace it back to anything, including the parents. He said that it is a myth that if the parents are tested and are clean that the puppies will not have it....he said a lot of people believe that but that is not the case.

Ronda,
I believe that information was in the brochure we looked at on wednesday - that the condition is not necessarily hereditary, although that is the common belief. I met a lady yesterday with a little Yorkie - 4th generation in HER household, in other words, she had this baby's Great Grandfather also in her home. She had never had this problem with any other litters, and suddenly this one single pup was diagnosed with liver shunt. I told her to join YT because she could get so much support here.
Let us know the date set for surgery. Like Corinne said, we are all here for you.
Lauren

[addicted]

Originally Posted by mistyinca

That is correct. When Chloe's bile acids tested high (they were still rather low even though they were higher than what is normal), I learned a lot about it. The parents can be carriers and not have the problems themselves. Also, there is a lot of debate over whether it has a lot to do with diet and environment. Who is to say for sure.

We had Chloe tested because she wasn't eating well at all, and that is one of the symtoms. But since she started eating better, and has never shown any other signs, we decided to hold off on any further tests. I will be getting her tested again soon to see if there is a change in her BAT numbers.

How much does it usually cost to get the acid bile test? This must be costing Ronda a fortune with the tests, surgery and all. I wish I could help her, but I have to reserve some money for the new pair of yorkies I am adopting and it's the holidays. =( *sigh*


I'm glad that your Chloe is doing well. I hope that there's nothing wrong with her when you get her tested again.

[RONLYNN]

Just wanted to update everyone on Teddi. We had the consultation today with the surgeon. She explained everything to me and drew a picture of the insides and explained that normally only about 15% of the blood is not filtered through the liver and in Teddi's case she has 85% that is not filtering. She is scheduled to have her surgery on Monday (12/3/07). I have to bring her to the hospital on Sunday night. She will have to stay in the hospital for about 2-3 days. The doctor told me that if I didn't have the surgery she would only live another year. I did contact the breeder I got her from to ask if they have other puppies with this condition and got this back:

Thank you for your email.
I am sorry to hear about Teddi and hope she will feel better soon.
Both of his parents are 100% and we never had this problem in the past so i am puzzled for how she got it.
Please forward all the medical record to us so we can look into it and keep us updated on how Teddi is doing.

I guess it was just a fluke that she got the liver shunt but she is in really good spirits. She was running all over the house last nite and this morning. She was attacking her toys and Cassie.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers and please keep them coming for us!!!

xoxo, Ronda

[Gypsy & Me]

Originally Posted by RONLYNN

Just wanted to update everyone on Teddi. We had the consultation today with the surgeon. She explained everything to me and drew a picture of the insides and explained that normally only about 15% of the blood is not filtered through the liver and in Teddi's case she has 85% that is not filtering. She is scheduled to have her surgery on Monday (12/3/07). I have to bring her to the hospital on Sunday night. She will have to stay in the hospital for about 2-3 days. The doctor told me that if I didn't have the surgery she would only live another year. I did contact the breeder I got her from to ask if they have other puppies with this condition and got this back:

Thank you for your email.
I am sorry to hear about Teddi and hope she will feel better soon.
Both of his parents are 100% and we never had this problem in the past so i am puzzled for how she got it.
Please forward all the medical record to us so we can look into it and keep us updated on how Teddi is doing.

I guess it was just a fluke that she got the liver shunt but she is in really good spirits. She was running all over the house last nite and this morning. She was attacking her toys and Cassie.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers and please keep them coming for us!!!

xoxo, Ronda

Keeping you both in our prayers Ronda and Teddi.

Glad to hear that the op can happen that quickly and that she won't have to stay in hospital for very long. I'm glad this gone found now and not later on or worse still never at all.

Hugs and kisses to both you and Teddi.

[Baby Blessing]

Originally Posted by RONLYNN

Just wanted to update everyone on Teddi. We had the consultation today with the surgeon. She explained everything to me and drew a picture of the insides and explained that normally only about 15% of the blood is not filtered through the liver and in Teddi's case she has 85% that is not filtering. She is scheduled to have her surgery on Monday (12/3/07). I have to bring her to the hospital on Sunday night. She will have to stay in the hospital for about 2-3 days. The doctor told me that if I didn't have the surgery she would only live another year. I did contact the breeder I got her from to ask if they have other puppies with this condition and got this back:

Thank you for your email.
I am sorry to hear about Teddi and hope she will feel better soon.
Both of his parents are 100% and we never had this problem in the past so i am puzzled for how she got it.
Please forward all the medical record to us so we can look into it and keep us updated on how Teddi is doing.

I guess it was just a fluke that she got the liver shunt but she is in really good spirits. She was running all over the house last nite and this morning. She was attacking her toys and Cassie.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers and please keep them coming for us!!!

xoxo, Ronda

Dear Ronda, Praying all goes well for Teddi in having the surgery. We also are keeping you in our prayers as we know how difficult this is for you.

By the way we love your Cassie and the video with Cassie and Teddi is so precious.

Ronda do you happen to have insurance? Do you know the approximate cost of the surgery on Teddi?

We never have taken out insurance on our girls, I guess it is a good idea for us to do that, but not sure on which plan would be best. I don't know if all vets accept insurance??????

Jack and I will be watching for updates from you. Teddi we are praying for you to be all well real soon.

Hugs, Patti and Jack

[Yorkieluv]

Originally Posted by RONLYNN

I talked to the doctors and they said that people think that the parents should be tested and that it has something to do with that but they said that has never been proven. They said it is something that just happens and they have never been able to trace it back to anything, including the parents. He said that it is a myth that if the parents are tested and are clean that the puppies will not have it....he said a lot of people believe that but that is not the case.

I'm so sorry to hear that she has a liver shunt, but I'm glad that it is extrahepatic and operable!! Have you joined the liver shunt and mvd group on yahoo groups yet? They have a wealth of information there.

It sounds like the vet was not very clear about this, so I'll try to explain what I know.

It is recommended that all breeders test their breeding pairs for liver shunt and have them bile acid tested so that in case they do have liver shunt or mvd, they are not bred, so that they don't pass this gene on to their offspring.

Let's suppose that the parents have liver shunt or mvd...If they have puppies, it is POSSIBLE that none of the dogs will be affected. The parents should not be bred if they do have liver shunt or mvd because it means they carry the gene for it and even if their pups don't have, the pups' pups will carry the gene and can pass it on too.

Let's suppose that the parents test negative for liver shunt/mvd...This does NOT mean that the puppies will not have liver shunt or mvd...Dogs can carry the gene for many generations without any of their pups, grandpups, etc. being affected...BUT I think all breeding dogs should be tested even if there's no 100% guarantee.

Mostly, extrahepatic liver shunts are congenital, meaning that the pups are born with this...Acquired shunts exist, but these are usually secondary to something. Sometimes dogs who have had liver shunt surgery could acquire another shunt as well.

Are they going to be using an ameroid constrictor? This is usually the method of choice because it closes slowly and is usually safer.

I'll be praying for your little baby!!!!

[RONLYNN]

"Are they going to be using an ameroid constrictor? This is usually the method of choice because it closes slowly and is usually safer"

Yes, this is the kind she said she would be using. She explained that it is better because it gives the liver more time to get used to working since it hasn't been working for so long.

[RONLYNN]

I joined the liver shunt support group on Yahoo and they are telling me that the best place to get the surgery is at the University of Tennessee and that they have a proved track record and it is half the cost of doing it here. I am going to contact them tomorrow. I just might be going to Tennessee.

[Sharonandtink]

Originally Posted by Yorkieluv

I'm so sorry to hear that she has a liver shunt, but I'm glad that it is extrahepatic and operable!! Have you joined the liver shunt and mvd group on yahoo groups yet? They have a wealth of information there.

It sounds like the vet was not very clear about this, so I'll try to explain what I know.

It is recommended that all breeders test their breeding pairs for liver shunt and have them bile acid tested so that in case they do have liver shunt or mvd, they are not bred, so that they don't pass this gene on to their offspring.

Let's suppose that the parents have liver shunt or mvd...If they have puppies, it is POSSIBLE that none of the dogs will be affected. The parents should not be bred if they do have liver shunt or mvd because it means they carry the gene for it and even if their pups don't have, the pups' pups will carry the gene and can pass it on too.

Let's suppose that the parents test negative for liver shunt/mvd...This does NOT mean that the puppies will not have liver shunt or mvd...Dogs can carry the gene for many generations without any of their pups, grandpups, etc. being affected...BUT I think all breeding dogs should be tested even if there's no 100% guarantee.

Mostly, extrahepatic liver shunts are congenital, meaning that the pups are born with this...Acquired shunts exist, but these are usually secondary to something. Sometimes dogs who have had liver shunt surgery could acquire another shunt as well.

Are they going to be using an ameroid constrictor? This is usually the method of choice because it closes slowly and is usually safer.

I'll be praying for your little baby!!!!

I have been researching since my litter had one with a liver shunt this last time. It is common belief that it is passed down through the parents, but it has not been proven. I have talked to a number of vets about this. My female is in wonderful condition and the male is healthy and has never had any litters with liver shunts. Both have very healthy family lines too. They said that it has to do with the genetic makeup lining up correctly. I asked them if it would be okay to breed again and he said that both of the dogs are fine and that we could breed again just we can breed these two together. Their genetic makeup just doesn't line up.


I am so happy that Teddi is doing better and that it can be fixed. Such a beautiful furbaby. Good luck with traveling if you have to go to Tennessee. You are doing the right thing with this wonderful baby. Sending a ton of hugs for you and your little one.

[Rosey07]

Baby and I are praying too! How old is Teddi?

[laurenr]

Ronda! You sure got moving girl! I am so pleased that you joined the Yahoo Liver Shunt support group. When we spoke, it sounded like you got a wealth of information there from some many knowledgeable people there. It also sounds like YorkieLuv knows details of which so many of us are so ignorant.
What I am just so happy with for right now, is how well the medication has stabilized her condition, and brought her activity level to normal "Teddi" standards.
Please PM the name of that food you mentioned because if you cannot find it up by you, I will try and buy it at the local feed store down here and UPS it to you.
Hugs to my little friend,
Lauren

[laurenr]

Ronda,
If it is the Royal Canin, this is what I found:

HEPATIC LS 14™- Hepatic Failure
Indications:
- Portosystemic Shunts
- Disorders of Copper Metabolism Restricted levels of high-quality vegetable protein.
Features:
- Restricted levels of high-quality vegetable protein.
- Restricted copper content.
- Supplemental zinc.
- Optimal levels and ratio of soluble and insoluble fiber.


Perhaps YorkieLuv would know if this food is better than the one Teddi is currently on.

Here is the link:http://www.royalcanin.us/vetdiet/vetdietcanineprod.html
Lauren