|
Welcome to the YorkieTalk.com Forums Community - the community for Yorkshire Terriers. You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. You will be able to chat with over 35,000 YorkieTalk members, read over 2,000,000 posted discussions, and view more than 15,000 Yorkie photos in the YorkieTalk Photo Gallery after you register. We would love to have you as a member! Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today! If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please click here to contact us. |
|
| LinkBack | Thread Tools |
04-06-2012, 06:05 PM | #1 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: La Plata, MD
Posts: 7
| Need advice on a decision My 9 year old, Cami, has been having liver problems on and off since I've adopted her almost 6 yrs. ago. Unfortunately, the problems are getting worse and happening more frequently. Recently, I have taken her to a specialist and a surgeon who recommends exploratory surgery. Her bile acids test is extremely high suggesting she may have a portal shunt. However, there is no guarantee that is the problem. She may have microvascular dysplasia. If there is a shunt and they put on a constrictor, again, there is no guarantee. Especially if the liver has a lot of scar tissue (won't know until biopsy results), it will cause the liver enzymes to increase and it will kill her. The protocol for now is Denamarin 90 mg. 1 x a day; Amoxitabs 50 mg. 2 x a day; Lactulose 2 mls. 2 x day; Pepcid AC 10 mg. 1/4 tab 1 x day. Her diet is Hill's L/D canned. She still has bouts of vomiting, diarrhea, and not wanting to eat. I have to force feed her when she gets like that. However I should mention, too, she is a very picky eater and always has been. If she doesn't eat, the stomach pains (gurgling sounds), vomiting and sometimes diarrhea starts. Then we end up at the vets getting fluids. I don't know whether to go through with the surgery or not. My heart tells me no because she will be in pain and without me for 3 - 4 days. If she was 3 or 4 years old, I wouldn't have a problem with this, but she is 9 years old! She was a rescue and since I've had her, I have babied her. She gets separation anxiety if I'm not with her for more than 1 day. I can visit her in the hospital at 15 minute intervals. Also, there is no guarantee and she may die sooner than later. Logic tells me if she gets the surgery, we will know what is wrong with her liver. Today I consulted her regular vet and he, too, thought it would be best if she gets the surgery. I just don't know. I feel like I'm damned, if I do and damned, if I don't! What would you do?
__________________ NatalieChloe |
Welcome Guest! | |
04-07-2012, 05:46 AM | #2 |
Donating YT Addict Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Ft. Wayne, IN, USA
Posts: 522
| Natalie - I don't have any experience with what you are going through but I am sure some more experienced members will pop in and give you great advice. I just wanted to say that I am sorry poor Cami is going through all this and in the end whatever decision you make will be the best. Sending best wishes for you both.
__________________ Brutus is mommas boy! |
04-07-2012, 06:01 AM | #3 |
♥ Maximo and Teddy Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 25,041
| Natalie, I don't have any experience in this area or advice to offer, but I want express my support for you and Cami. Sending prayers for both of you.
__________________ Kristin, Max and Teddy |
04-07-2012, 08:21 AM | #4 |
YT Addict Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: waco, texas
Posts: 312
| I think your vet should support whichever decision you make in this instance. You are obviously a very good, loving and responsible owner. You do what you think best. Thats all you can do anyway. |
04-07-2012, 09:12 AM | #5 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: USA
Posts: 954
| go with your heart. there are circumstances here that make it less than easy to decide. sometimes less invasiveness to an issue is really the best way to go. |
04-07-2012, 09:31 AM | #6 |
Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: VA
Posts: 8,040
| I don't have any advice either, but wanted let you know I will pray for your baby. I can understand what a difficult decision you are faced with, I'm so sorry. Know we are all here for you.
__________________ Tena & Zhoie Sweet Little Miracle |
04-07-2012, 10:25 AM | #7 | |
YT 2000 Club Donating Member | Quote:
I don't want to make assumptions, but I thought a scintography is the tool to use to clearly understand if you are dealing with a portal shunt, or something else wrong with the liver. You are facing a multi-faceted decision area. There are no right answers or easy as pie kind of decisions. For me, if I was to break this down into a decision tree I would: a) find out "for sure" if there is a liver shunt ... and by the best specialists around. b) consult with these experts as to the success rate of liver shunt surgery with a girl of her age and health record. c) Consult with self same experts to see if no surgery; what can be done to manage the condition and her quality of life? c) then decide if the risks of surgery, the anticipated benefits(ie quality of life issues), the costs, and other factors personal to you point you in the direction of which way to go. My heart goes out to you and Cami. You will both be in my prayers and positive thoughts.
__________________ Razzle and Dara. Our clan. RIP Karma Dec 24th 2004-July 14 2013 RIP Zoey Jun9 th 2008-May 12 2012. RIP Magic,Mar 26 2006July 1st 2018 | |
04-07-2012, 10:51 AM | #8 | |
Rosehill Yorkies Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Houston Texas
Posts: 9,462
| Quote:
| |
04-09-2012, 05:39 AM | #9 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: La Plata, MD
Posts: 7
| Thank you all for the your advice.: I have made a decision. I don't know if it is the right one, but I am going with my gut instinct and NOT go with the surgery. Considering her age and what "gemy" said about "what can be done to manage the condition and her quality of life", made me think about what all doctors said. Surgery or not, she would still continue with a low protein diet (Hill's L/D), lactulose, denamarin and antibotics. I liked what "impish" said "sometimes less invasiveness to an issue is really the best way to go". Right now, Cami, seems to be doing very well. When she gets serious bouts with vomiting and/or diarrhea, we will go to the vet. When the time comes where her quality of life is gone and nature hasn't take of it, then I'll decide to put her down (with her in my arms and telling her goodbye and I love her).
__________________ NatalieChloe |
Bookmarks |
|
|
Thread Tools | |
| |
|
|
SHOP NOW: Amazon :: eBay :: Buy.com :: Newegg :: PetStore :: Petco :: PetSmart