In terms of one Xray giving you any usable views of both liver and AAI - I don't think so. The liver is no where near the neck.

And you will need further diagnostic testing for the AAI - likely an MRI and a spinal tap. I paid $1500 three years ago for an MRI of the L/S area. Lumbo sacral area.

So it seems like a good idea to get that care credit card application in. Review your health guarantee your breeder gave you - both conditions are usually considered genetic, especially given your pup is only 6mths old.

I wish you all the best with your pup.

:(...

Checking in for an update... praying everything went well today....

im new to the forum, but just wanted to wish you the best. seems like you got a bunch of good info here. hopefully you will get some better news.
as far as the puppy mill thing? who knows, but I see two red flags. all that does not matter now, just getting your baby well. best wishes...

Just checking in for an update... hope all went well.

Liver Shunt
 

So sorry you are going thru all of this. I recommend you research Liver Shunt on the net. There is a lot of good information and also some good support groups that can help with medicine and diet. It is important you limit the amount of animal protein your puppy gets. Dog treats can have high levels be careful with them also. The better educated you are the better your judgements will be for your puppy. My yorkie has Liver Shunt and we opted to get the surgery, but medical management with medication and diet will help...even while you figure out what is best for your dog. The best support group I have found for Liver Shunt is on yahoo. They can help you tremendously. I would get the Bile Acid test done if at all possible. Good Luck!

Hi. Has there been any change in his symptoms since he's been on the Lactulose? If no change, then I would inside on getting him xrayed, at least.

I just looked at your album.... is that a flea collar he has on in the 3rd pic?

I'm so sorry you and your little one are going through this. I'm attaching a link for you. If you go down the page a little, then you will see the info.

Alex's Yorkie Care Frequently Asked Questions. Page 3.

I'm so sorry your baby is going through this. Sending well wishes to your little one.

Zhoie is 4 wks post AAI surgery and so far doing well. It's 12 weeks of confined recouperation and I pray she is much better after all my girl has went through.

I do know with Zhoie, if you suddenly moved your hand over her like you were going to touch around her neck, she would tense and lower down. I too, thought she was just timid and would shake from being scared or she was just a mellow girl...not the case at all. But, I know know it was for self-perservation, she was protecting her neck.

I pray your baby does not have AAI. If you have any questions, I would be happy to answer anything I can, as we are going through it now, just PM me anytime.

Hi there. I'm new to this site and would like to respond to your situation. I have a 10 year old yorkie that was diagnosed with a liver shunt at 2 yrs old. His is the internal shunt which unfortunatly is not operable. They call it Micor Vascular Dysplacia. I'm sorry to say that the only way to know what kind of shunt your pup has is to get the proper testing. We are very fortunate that when they tested him with an ultasound that they discovered he had one liver lobe of normal size and one that was shrivled. We were told to be cautionly opptimistic and they prescribed Pottasium Bromide, Vitamine E and Hills Prescrition Diet Ld forumla. He is still with us a very happy and energetic dog which unfortunaly just was diagnoised with Addisons Disease. We have spent thousands to keep him healthy and its not an easy thing to do. Fortunately my husband can support us so my job pays for my animals. Did you get a written health guareentee for your pup. Most reputable breeders will support you emotionally and financially. Try and see what your breeder can do for you. See if your vet will take payments. Unfortunately the only soultion is testing and probably surgery. Your only putting a band-aid on the problem and your pup is suffering.

I would find a vet who is familiar with the conditions of yorkies as the symptoms you have described can be any number of things. Some are AAI, Chiari & Liver shunt. Also 1 thing that concerns me is the ear scratching is a symptom of Chiari. Did your vet check your pups ears for infection or foreign object such as mites or plant material ? if yes & nothing was found then I would lean more towards AAI or Chiari.