I can't thank all of you enough for pointing me to Dr. Tobias...
 

I'm so grateful to the people on this board, especially to YorkieLuv, who has given me such good information. My Maggie Moo, after repeated UTI's, bladder surgery last month, and bile acid testing, was tentatively diagnosed with liver shunt.

I listened to what all of you told me, I told my vet about the tests that I wanted to be ran on Maggie, I insisted my vet send Maggie's records to Dr. Tobias, even though she was not familiar with her work, and wanted me to take Mags to another teaching hospital. I knew from all of you that Maggie's best chance was with Dr. Tobias at UT, and I'm SO thankful I took her there.

Maggie had surgery last week, her shunt was up behind her esophagus, Dr. Tobias told me it was in a "funky" place, but she was able to put a constrictor on it. The woman is phenomenal, so caring, so gracious, she actually called me from the operating room to tell me the surgery was successful.

Again, thanks to all of you for your help, now we wait and hope that Maggie is in the 85% of successful surgeries.

I chronicled her surgery on my blogsite, you can read about it there, you will have to scroll down the page a bit, I've made new entries since then.

I'm also going to be adding a liver shunt section to my pages, I've already informed two prospective Yorkie owners to insist on bile acid testing before they bring a dog home. I didn't know about liver shunt when I got Maggie. but if I can help inform others, as you all did for me, then I feel like I am giving back. That's what it's all about, isn't it, helping each other and spreading the word. I get it now, I really get it!!!!

Again, thank you, thank you, my life is good this sunny Monday morning, in large part to all of you.

Jan Cruser
Evansville, IN
all the latest from heavensville...

sooooo glad to hear that your baby girl is going to be ok now! I love hearing the help that people receive here! Especially when good advice is put to use and a baby is helped! :)

I am so glad the surgery was a success:)

I'm glad you learned valuable informaton here...and that you are a pro-active owner...insisting on what you wanted done. Lots of vets simply aren't very knowledgable in regards to liver shunt.

Hugs to Maggie Moo! Wishing her a speedy recovery!

I'm so glad you insisted on testing.:)

Sometimes vets just don't think of liver shunt too quickly and the dog doesn't get the help it needs. I don't think some vets connect liver and bladder problems (they just don't know to), so it is important to ask for a bile acid test if bladder issues keep occurring in Yorkies.

I'm glad she is doing well.:)

SO HAPPY to hear she is doing so well, great news! I have heard such great things about Dr. Tobias. I'm just so glad you were able to connect w/ Yorkieluv and get your baby the help she needed. :) :) :)

[and, love the blog!]

I am so glad that you have a good vet - one who is willing to listen and work with you. I will send prayers of thanksgiving :hands: that your little Maggie Moo had successful surgery and her liver shunt was repaired.

I agree, Dr. Tobais rocks. Many years ago I had some questions about one of my kids, and send her the files and test results. As it turns out we DID NOT have liver shunt, or any type of liver issues for that matter, but Dr. Tobais took time out of her busy day to respond to my email.

WONDERFUL NEWS :thumbup:

Hooray!! :) I'm so glad Maggie is still doing well!! On a side note, I would keep her on vegetarian food even after her bile acids come back normal, but especially if they are even slightly elevated as some of the dogs either acquire shunting or have other issues in the future. Natural Balance Vegetarian, Avoderm Vegetarian, and there are several others that you can pick from if you choose to do this.

:bravo:

I am so glad you took Maggie to Dr. Tobias. Our local vets just aren't that knowledgable about liver disease.

Yes, please do spread the word about how important bile acid testing is. There seems to be a lot of misinformation and even fear about the test here on YT.

A bile acids test can save your puppy's life. Maggie is living proof of that! :D

:thumbup: I'm so glad Maggie is doing well after surgery and hope she continues to do so!

Hi Jan :)
I had no idea one of your babies had been ill. I'm happy to hear though that she's doing well. She will be in prayers that it will be a complete success!

Tammy from Evansville, as well :)

I remember reading your thread and how many people said to see Dr. Tobias - praying your girl totally recovers!

I am so glad to hear everything went well with the liver shunt surgery. I am currently in Tennessee with my little Paisley waiting for her to haver her liver shunt surgery tomorrow at UT! I met with the doctors today and everyone seems so knowledgeable and wonderful.

I am so happy for you and your little one!

I'll keep you and little Paisley in my thoughts and prayers.