My Indy has a liver shunt!!

[River]

I called the breeder today, he's a jerk. I do have a health guarentee but it covers genetic stuff found in the first 30 days, after it's mortality only. So, if he dies on the table or I put him down, I'll get my money back. I'm not sure he really even cared that this is a hereditary thing. He said he's give me another puppy. Right, I'm going to give Indy up to him. I DON'T THINK SO!!

[lovmyyorkie]

Hi River,

I'm so sorry to hear this!

Just today I had lunch with a friend from www.tsfannymaelivershunt.com

Please contact them they will be able to assist you in everything now and after to keep him healthy after his operation. They have a chat group of family's that have yorkies that have had liver shunt and exchange information on diet......

Also they want to know who the breeder is and they will contact him to stop breeding those dogs and get them fix the breeder needs to contact all other liter owners, because even if they do not show it they ALL carry the gene and ALLLL thier liter's carry the gene.

They work with Dr. Tobies who has been doing this operation and is teaching it also, they will get you and your baby there.

I have just started doing volunteer work with them and I'm still learning, so this is all I can say and if you like PM and I'll have them get in contact with you.
Best of Luck!!!

Oh and if anyone would like to know more about volunteering PM, it dosn't matter where you live and you don't even have to leave your home. Thanks

[alaskayorkie]

Originally Posted by River

I called the breeder today, he's a jerk. I do have a health guarentee but it covers genetic stuff found in the first 30 days, after it's mortality only. So, if he dies on the table or I put him down, I'll get my money back. I'm not sure he really even cared that this is a hereditary thing. He said he's give me another puppy. Right, I'm going to give Indy up to him. I DON'T THINK SO!!

You'd think the breeder would give you the thousand plus dollars he could get for the pup he wants to give you so you could put it toward the surgery. Bless you for going ahead with it.

[eyedoc]

I'm so sad about your baby. I can't imagine your worry and pain. It sounds like you've gotten some great information and resources from the people here! What a great group of folks. I will keep you and your baby in my thoughts and prayers. Keep us posted on how he's doing. That breeder needs to be exposed for the potential problem with all his dogs. Make sure you turn his name over. Good luck and hang in there!!

[sgraff]

I agree with YorkieRose. Talk to your breeder. This is a problem that should not be reproduced.

[Kodiesmom]

Originally Posted by River

I called the breeder today, he's a jerk. I do have a health guarentee but it covers genetic stuff found in the first 30 days, after it's mortality only. So, if he dies on the table or I put him down, I'll get my money back. I'm not sure he really even cared that this is a hereditary thing. He said he's give me another puppy. Right, I'm going to give Indy up to him. I DON'T THINK SO!!

I heard the bad news.... I am praying for you and your baby. You live in PA... which is near me.. here in NJ.. I was just wondering if you could PM me your breeders name.. haha.. in case I get my own Yorkie.. I will not go to your breeder.

[Joy]

I just read this and I am heart broken for you!! I have only heard good things about the Fannymae liver shunt foundation. My breeder bought a dog that ended up with LS as well. She fought like heck. She ended up keeping her LS baby and they still had to replace and stop the breeding of the Yorkies with the LS heridity.. I will keep you little one and you in my thoughts and prayers. Please do keep us updated. [Hugs}

[yorkieusa]

Bless your heart. You have a special bond with this little guy and I know how scared you are that you could lose him, but it sounds as though he has a great chance at recovery. Life throws some tough punches sometimes, but there are several people on here that have lots of good info and help for you. I wish the best for you and Indy, but I do hope you can get some financial help, too. Keep us up to date. We are all concerned.

[2WILDNCRZYORKI]

I"m so sorry to hear about your baby. I know to well how expensive vet bills can be. Maybe the vet can set you up with a payment plan. I also, in the past have taken my dogs to a vet school. I live in Sacramento, California and I took my dogs to UC Davis Vet Hospital. They were SO thorough in there exams and procedures. They were the only one's that could diagnose our Rot had menigitus. They allowed us to make payments on several different occasions.

Good luck and my prayers are with you!!

[lovmyyorkie]

Subject: About your puppy, Indy


Hello,
I saw your post on the Yorkie Forum. My name is Ric Ross and I am the Vice President of the Terri Shumsky Fanny Mae Liver Shunt Fund. If I can help you and your Yorkie, Indy, please do get in touch with me.
First of all, if your puppy has been diagnosed with Liver Shunt (portosystemic shunt), it is extremely important that you put him on a very low protein diet such as Hills L/D or K/D IMMEDIATELY. That will help to keep his liver from getting any worse until you can get him his very badly needed Liver Shunt surgery.
If you can get to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, there are fantastic surgeons there at the Veterinary School who are very well versed in the Ameroid Constrictor surgery. This has been proven to be a much more preferred technique and so much better for the puppy. This Vet school only charges around $1200 for the surgery. And they have a 95% success rate.
You should also join our LiverShuntHelpNChat List. That is an all-breed liver shunt support group. You will gain a lot of knowledge about this hideous disease from all the very experienced members of the list who have liver compromised dogs. Some of the dogs have had the surgery and are liver shunt survivors. Others have dogs with MVD and will probably live on a low protein diet for the rest of their lives. You will learn a lot here that will help your dog to live a long life.
If you would like to join the LiverShuntHelpNChat List, you can subscribe by clicking on this link and sending an email to the LiverShuntHelpNChat List owners.
LiverShuntHelpNChat-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

There is no reason to put your puppy to sleep when there is a surgery that will correct the shunt problem.

Hope you can join us soon. Every day is very important for your puppy. Each day you delay joining us and putting your puppy on a low protein diet, will be one more day that your puppy's liver will atrophy even a little more.

Ric Ross



Shop at these online stores to benefit Liver Shunt babies;
http://www.cafepress.com/livershuntbabes
http://www.cafepress.com/livershunt


In Memory of Terri Shumsky
Please bile acid test your puppies for liver shunt
Terri Shumsky Fanny Mae Liver Shunt Fund
http://www.tsfannymaelivershunt.com/

River, the rest is up to you.

Puppy Prayers For Indy

[River]

Well, I do have some good news! My mom wants to pay for the surgery. She's 83yrs old and doesn't have a lot of money, but she wants to do this. She fell in love with Indy this summer when she stayed with me and doesn't want him put to sleep. She tells me that she can't take money with her when she dies so she'd rather see it put to some good use while she's alive. I'll pay her back, but at least I won't have to have a time limit on it. Thank goodness for moms!! I scheduled Indy's surgery for next Friday. I have to drop him off Thurs night because the center is 2 hours away from my house. He said that if all goes well he will be there Fri night and probably all day Sat, but maybe discharge Sat PM or Sun depending on how he's doing. I'm scared to death but I know that this is my only option, so prayers will be good! You guys are the best and I can't tell you how much I appreciate the help and support!! I'll keep you posted.

[yorkieusa]

Well, I'm glad you have some help. Moms are wonderful, aren't they? You have a few days to spend special time with Indy before he goes in and you can spoil him even more when he comes home. He'll have a nice, long and healthy life thanks to you!

[lovmyyorkie]

River,

I'm so glad to hear this, I can see who you got your loving heart from.

Don't forget to keep us posted on Indy!

OXOXOXO

[River]

To lovmyyorkie, Thanks for the post from Ric Ross. I do already have Indy on Science Diet L/D and I have noticed a big difference in him. My vet suggested it when his bile acids were so high even before I had the ultrasound done. I have read the research on line from Karen Tobias, got some of my best information from that! I wish I was closer to the University of Tennessee, but with gas the way it is and the distance, I just can't do that. The surgeon I chose came highly recommended by my vet, I read his credentials and had a lengthy consultation with him. Thanks to Dr. Tobias research I felt I was able to ask intelligent questions and I understood his answers completely. I am comfortable with his expertise and trust he will do a good job. Thanks so much for caring about my Indiana!

[lovmyyorkie]

River,

for all your hard work for your little guy!

I'm happy you found a good doctor for Indy close to you and that you are doing all that you possibly can to help this poor little guy, the rest is up to God.

I will pass on your message to Ric and I'm sure he also will be happy to hear Indy is in good hands.

Puppy kisses to Indy!