I think Eevee is blind after spay...

[famous seamus]

This is great advice. Thanks for giving this Barb as I am sure that she is looking for all the help she can get in regards to trying to help her dog and move forward.

Yup Barb, this is great advice, lower protein is the WAY to go with liver issues, a fact that I learned last year with my sick boy. Dr. Dodds supports this also. Thanks for bringing it up in this forum, can never say it enough for people seeking help with liver issues.


Kate

 

[Jinee1]

Confirmed liver shunt

Hello. Just received a call from the vet. Eevee's BAT before is 60 and after is 249. They said its consistent with dogs with liver shunt. They are referring us to a specialist. I just called to ask the pricing at our vet teaching hospital. Complete diagnosis is $900-$1300, extra hepatic shunt is $1800-2400 and intra hepatic shunt is $2800-4500. We just don't have this kind of money to spend on surgery. My husband is telling me to give her up. But I'm wondering if the shunt is not operable, what I can do to make sure Eevee has a good quality of life. Apparently not all shunts are operable... Right now she's on Hills l/d, lactulose and metronidazole and I'm giving her milk thistle as a supplement. Does anyone have experience with liver shunts?

I need to call and let the breeder know that her dogs should be tested for liver shunt. Apparently it can be inherited. Poor Eevee was born with it. My husband says to take Eevee back to her breeder since she sold us a sick dog. I want to keep her and do everything I can do for her. I found a yahoo group for owners with liver disease dogs. They said with supplements dogs with liver shunt can live up to 5 years when vets say the have 10 months at max. They had dogs given 4 weeks to live but with supplements after 3 years they are still healthy. I'm soooo distraught and I can't concentrate on other things...

 

[sheltiemom4]

I'm so so sorry.......healing thoughts are with you

 

[marymrumfelt]

Hello. Just received a call from the vet. Eevee's BAT before is 60 and after is 249. They said its consistent with dogs with liver shunt. They are referring us to a specialist. I just called to ask the pricing at our vet teaching hospital. Complete diagnosis is $900-$1300, extra hepatic shunt is $1800-2400 and intra hepatic shunt is $2800-4500. We just don't have this kind of money to spend on surgery. My husband is telling me to give her up. But I'm wondering if the shunt is not operable, what I can do to make sure Eevee has a good quality of life. Apparently not all shunts are operable... Right now she's on Hills l/d, lactulose and metronidazole and I'm giving her milk thistle as a supplement. Does anyone have experience with liver shunts?

I need to call and let the breeder know that her dogs should be tested for liver shunt. Apparently it can be inherited. Poor Eevee was born with it. My husband says to take Eevee back to her breeder since she sold us a sick dog. I want to keep her and do everything I can do for her. I found a yahoo group for owners with liver disease dogs. They said with supplements dogs with liver shunt can live up to 5 years when vets say the have 10 months at max. They had dogs given 4 weeks to live but with supplements after 3 years they are still healthy. I'm soooo distraught and I can't concentrate on other things...

So sorry you're going though this. A lot of vets when the price is that high will work out a payment plan with you. Not ideal, but better than nothing.

Also, perhaps you should explain to your husband that a pet is like a child and you don't just give them up when they're ill! I have two dogs with neurological issues and it's never even crossed my mind to give them up or whatnot just because they're not "perfect." It makes me sad to see you struggling with this and your partners just saying get rid of her. I'm not sure how you keep your cool as I'd tell my partner to pack their bags! I hope he cuts that out as it's the last thing you and puppy need to deal with. I would be worried if Evee becomes sick down the road, will he want to toss her then?

I would go see a holistic doctor, personally. Their appointments usually aren't more than a regular vet and they will try to treat the problems that cause the liver shunt or the flare ups and teach you how to live with it and supplement her diet and health through natural things vs the pharmaceutical route.

I know how scary is it when something is wrong with your animal and how stressful it is when it's expensive. But just try to breath, remind yourself there's always areas to cut back in life to pay an extra bill should you have to get a tab at the vet or whatnot. The saying where there's a will, there's a way really is true. The kids seem to be on board so perhaps explain they might have to drop an activity or something, you know? Not trying to tell you how to run your life, just trying to give you some hope that this situation isn't all doom.

 

[Toffee's Mom]

oh my goodness, you poor dear
SO sorry to hear about this.:sadsmile:
Whatever you decide, I am sure you will do the best you can with what you have. I would definitely recommend contacting the breeder for sure, see what they say/recommend. I think your husband has a valid, if unpopular point, how much can you guys realistically afford...? I am sure thousands weren't budgeted nor expected to be paid for such a young dog. Then comes your definition of quality of life, it's very personal and only you can make these decisions where your breaking point is.

Maybe think about a payment plan or alternative medicine as well... but all in all it's your decision. You're not a terrible person and nobody here will judge you because whatever decision you have to make... Just make sure you discuss it all through and take your time making it. I really hope you can find a solution you all can live with.
I am so sorry, it's just heartbreaking.

 

[Megansmom]

oh my goodness, you poor dear
SO sorry to hear about this.:sadsmile:
Whatever you decide, I am sure you will do the best you can with what you have. I would definitely recommend contacting the breeder for sure, see what they say/recommend. I think your husband has a valid, if unpopular point, how much can you guys realistically afford...? I am sure thousands weren't budgeted nor expected to be paid for such a young dog. Then comes your definition of quality of life, it's very personal and only you can make these decisions where your breaking point is.

Maybe think about a payment plan or alternative medicine as well... but all in all it's your decision. You're not a terrible person and nobody here will judge you because whatever decision you have to make... Just make sure you discuss it all through and take your time making it. I really hope you can find a solution you all can live with.
I am so sorry, it's just heartbreaking.

I could NOT have said it better myself...well said!

 

[Megansmom]

Eevee's mom~

So very sorry you and your family are going through this. Hang in there and do what's best for Eevee and your family :sadsmile:

 

[danisgoat]

Hello. Just received a call from the vet. Eevee's BAT before is 60 and after is 249. They said its consistent with dogs with liver shunt. They are referring us to a specialist. I just called to ask the pricing at our vet teaching hospital. Complete diagnosis is $900-$1300, extra hepatic shunt is $1800-2400 and intra hepatic shunt is $2800-4500. We just don't have this kind of money to spend on surgery. My husband is telling me to give her up. But I'm wondering if the shunt is not operable, what I can do to make sure Eevee has a good quality of life. Apparently not all shunts are operable... Right now she's on Hills l/d, lactulose and metronidazole and I'm giving her milk thistle as a supplement. Does anyone have experience with liver shunts?

I need to call and let the breeder know that her dogs should be tested for liver shunt. Apparently it can be inherited. Poor Eevee was born with it. My husband says to take Eevee back to her breeder since she sold us a sick dog. I want to keep her and do everything I can do for her. I found a yahoo group for owners with liver disease dogs. They said with supplements dogs with liver shunt can live up to 5 years when vets say the have 10 months at max. They had dogs given 4 weeks to live but with supplements after 3 years they are still healthy. I'm soooo distraught and I can't concentrate on other things...

Gosh....I really wish that I had some uplifting wisdom to share with you, but I don't. Just please know that I feel your pain, and know that unshakable anxiety that this is causing you and your family.

I guess if it was me, I would start with speaking to the breeder and I would also contact Dr. Dodds. Make sure that if you do this, you give her all of your dogs numbers. Dr. Dodds answers e-mails and does not ask for money. She will take donations but does not charge for her information. She is SO knowledgable and could give you some guidance.

Stay strong
Dani

 

[corbinam]

oh my goodness, you poor dear
SO sorry to hear about this.:sadsmile:
Whatever you decide, I am sure you will do the best you can with what you have. I would definitely recommend contacting the breeder for sure, see what they say/recommend. I think your husband has a valid, if unpopular point, how much can you guys realistically afford...? I am sure thousands weren't budgeted nor expected to be paid for such a young dog. Then comes your definition of quality of life, it's very personal and only you can make these decisions where your breaking point is.

Maybe think about a payment plan or alternative medicine as well... but all in all it's your decision. You're not a terrible person and nobody here will judge you because whatever decision you have to make... Just make sure you discuss it all through and take your time making it. I really hope you can find a solution you all can live with.
I am so sorry, it's just heartbreaking.

I'm with Irene. We are all thinking of you.

 

[Tagg]

I hope your breeder is one of integrity. I can tell you that I would, as would most of my breeder associates, feel compelled to pay for the surgery. Did you have a health guarantee on Eevee from her breeder? Liver shunts are not nice to deal with, just ask a Miniature Schnauzer breeder. Some do really well post surgery but some do not. You really need to get some more answers to what Eevee's prognosis is by a specialist before you decide what you are going to do.
Don't be too angry at your husband. It really is a lot of money and he is probably reacting with shock and dismay. My husband and I were faced with very expensive surgery on our old girl Vanna, a beloved girl that has since left us for the rainbow bridge. We had the money to pay for the surgery but it was going to take a huge bite out of our "fur children" expense money and we still had a few other geriatric dogs, client's dogs that we guarantee, kitties and horses to consider. We talked it over for about a week going back and forth about what to do, euthanize or operate. In the end one of our clients said that they would pay for it - embarrassing to be sure but was just what we needed to make the decision to operate. She did well although it wasn't a very pleasant recovery, needed expensive meds daily for the rest of her life but we had her for another two years before transitional cell carcinoma took her on Christmas Eve 2009 at the age of 16. There are conditions that we won't treat -cancer being the big one. We often get asked by our clients what to do about conditions that creep up in their dogs as they age. Usually it is a cancer that the vet is telling them can be treated. I tell them to weigh the costs, both financially and to the animal. I don't believe that we have to go into debt for our four footed friends to be a good animal parents, only that we do what we can to the best of our ability to ensure that every day of their lives with us is one that if the animal could talk it would be to say they were loved and lived without fear. I don't know what your resources are but you and your husband do. Get as much info as you can and then sit down and talk it out. Eevee doesn't need you going head to head right now, she needs you to be her refuge and strength.