Should I test for a liver shunt?
 

So, I was on my vetinarians website, which they updated. I decided to read about Yorkie's, and they had a list of common ailments/disease Yorkie's can get...oh boy, I don't think I should've read that list...or maybe it's good I did? I read that Yorkies get liver shunts 32x more than any other breed. YIKES! She's about 5yrs old, so I'm wondering should I get her tested for liver shunts? She did have blood tests done back in December to check her kidneys after her bout with lymes disease, but do they check their liver too? I'm kind of worried now, but maybe I'm over thinking things, but I was reading the clinical symtoms, and some include face pawing/head pressing...which Zoey does sometimes, but I never thought much of it. I thought she was just itching herself. Sometimes I think she may have vision problems, because sometimes she'll run into things. There was one time where she was drooling A LOT, but we were at the vet so I thought it was from stress, since she was in a new place (we changed vets) Oh jeez, now I'm paranoid about a liver shunt. Should I have her tested just to be on the safe side? What if she happens to have one, is it too late? What is the cost/treatment for it? Sorry if I'm coming off a bit extra paranoid, but I had no idea what a livershunt was or that they did such harm. :(

Here is the definitive website for liver shunt diagnosis and treatment:

Portosystemic Shunts FAQ

Some of the symptoms sound like mild or early signs of liver shunt problems. I would definitely start out with at least the basic diagnostic blood tests--read the section on how a shunt is diagnosed--and proceed from there with your vet. The blood work is not expensive. Above all, remain calm. IF your dog has a liver shunt, there is nothing you could have done to prevent it--it is something they are born with. Depending on the severity of the shunt, there are various treatment options, ranging from a simple change in diet to surgery. I am praying that your dog is fine.

It is possible for a Yorkie to have a liver shunt that goes undetected for years and causes no outward symptoms. One of LadyJane's Yorkies went through this: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...ver-shunt.html

Head pressing, running into things, and pawing at the face are concerning. Have you discussed this with your vet? I would do a thorough physical, checking eyes and teeth, along with blood tests to cover the liver.

No, I haven't mentioned it to the vet. I just set up for her to get pre op blood work next week before her spaying. So, hopefully if they see anything concerning they'll find it then.

Definitely discuss it with your vet and ask which blood tests are going to be done before her spay. Best wishes to your little girl. Keep us updated.

I should emphasize that sometimes liver shunts are difficult to confirm without surgery. As Linda's Teddy demonstrated, sometimes basic liver function blood tests can be normal. Then there are Bile Acid Tests, blood tests done before and after eating. These are not always definitive. Ultrasound and scintography are also used.

I called the vet, and she's going to do blood work on the day of her surgery. She said they'll do it before her surgery, and if they find anything concerning she will not be sedated and I'll receive a call. I'm doing the basic blood tests which checks for liver function, kidney function, heart, anethesia(?) not sure what that's about, and a few other things, all for $70. The spaying itself cost $177, which includes medication, cone, and her overnight stay. She has to stay overnight. The more advanced blood test which checked for smaller things like electrolytes cost $105, but with money being very tight, I opted for the cheaper one. I also changed her rabies shot to this coming Wednesday (june 26th) instead of on the same day as surgery. I'm hoping everything comes back normal.

Basic blood work does not always show a liver shunt. My vet and I were both stunned that Teddy Bear had a shunt....he had blood work done yearly for 7 years at her office and there was NEVER any alteration in the studies at all!

Bile Acid Testing is around $80 That is a relatively inexpensive test to rule this out and I strongly encourage you to speak with your vet about it.

General vets often don't see that many liver shunts....the specialist told me that it is VERY common for them to have pups come to them with liver shunts the way that Teddy Bear did...with bladder stones and no previous history of symptoms or alterations in blood work. Maybe you can ask her if she knows a specialist she can confer with? I know my vet does that with any questions she has....she either calls the specialist she knows in the area or she calls Texas A&M Your vet could place a call to Penn to their small animal clinic .. there is no cost to her to do that. They could advise her on your pup.

I have found Dr. Tobias at the University of Tennessee to be a good resource for liver shunt. Her program has a support line available to the public. Once you contact them they have someone take your information and create a file on your dog. I have called and have several friends that used the service. My first call was about 45 minutes. They answered every question I had. I was very pleased. They also perform liver shunt surgery but will support you if you decide to have it done locally. This is just my limited knowledge and experience.

Portosystemic Shunts FAQ


The good news is that liver shunt can be treated.

Well, I will talk to the vet on wednesday when Zoey gets her rabies vaccine. Say, if anything did come up could they never spay her?

No, they could...but they would want to repair the shunt first if it is there. My Teddy Bear had liver shunt surgery in Feb this year and just had a dental two weeks ago.

Definitely talk with your vet about this!

It is also important to find out if your dog has a liver issue before the spay because certain anesthesia drugs are not suitable for dogs w/ impaired livers. For example, a dog with microvascular dyspasia (MVD) which is microscopic shunting in the liver should not be given valium or its derivatives. It is common for vets to use valium as a pre-med before knocking the dog out with gas. If the dog has a liver issue, another drug can be used (propofol). So if I had any suspicious that my dog had a liver problem, I would bile acids test the dog first before I did surgery. I did not bile acids test my dogs prior to their spay or neuter. Also some people think their dog is "head pressing" when the dog is rubbing their face. All of my yorkies rub their faces after eating. They also do it after they have bows in their hair. It doesn't mean they have liver shunts, it just means they like to rub their faces and press their heads into beds and blankets.

Good luck.

Zoey only rubs her face/head on the bed whenever she's about to burry under the pillows. I think it's a ritual for her lol. Now, if I only when I put bows in her hair she would leave them alone. She is far from a girly dog hehe. Zoey goes to the vet this wednesday, so I'll remember to mention the Bile Acid test, even if that means postponing her spay. I want to make sure everything is okay with her. She has been throwing up white stuff (bile?) at least once a week, sometimes once every 2 weeks for a while now. I always assumed it was acid reflux, because she burps often too. I'll make sure to bring that up. Thanks!