Portasystemic Liver Shunt - questions & support, please

[Ann]

And in the face of all this, I let my breeder know. Just because we stay in touch and I thought she would like to know. But to my surprise, she reminded me that about her health guarantee and that if Kai'a was sick, that we were within the 360 days and that she would take her back and offer me another pup from an upcoming litter. And I was so taken aback. And angry . .. I mean I got pissed. Because really, doesn't she know that Kai'a is my family now, and that there is no reason in the entire world that I would ever "return" her. She is not a car or a pair or jeans that don't fit ... something’s you just can't exchange.

Leaving in a few to pick her up. I will keep you all posted ... and catch up on all I missed with you and your babies. Thank you, again. <3

I can so relate to this, Jenny. That is exactly what happened when my Pixie began having seizures at four months old. I could not believe it when the only thing her breeder (who shall remain nameless but is not someone on this Forum) had to offer me was how upset SHE was about what this would do to her breeding program, and did I want to return Pixie! We were horrified. Would you give back a child?? Of course she was and is with us for the long haul and we would never give her back, no matter what.

And it was a long haul, but after many vets, and much research, Pixie has been seizure free on a combination of diet and homeopathic meds for over a year now, at age 5. So please don't give up hope. And if it turns out to be epilpsy that your baby has, there are a number of us here who have more experience than we care to with it and can help you with information.

I really hope for you some answers, first of all. You can deal with the devil you know. As Barb said, it's the not knowing that is awful.

 

[tofu pup]

I am so, so sorry to hear about Kai'a... I don't have personal experience with this, so I don't have any advice to give, but I am wishing you and her and your family strength to get through this.

Thank you for letting your breeder know - it's important that she be informed about this kind of thing. I agree, though, that "return the dog" guarantees are pretty empty - who's going to return the dog they love - especially when he or she is ill?

 

[take4roll10]

Jennefer, I'm so sorry Kai'a isn't feeling well. When Bailey was 4 months old, she was tested for a liver shunt. She was having digestive issues and the vet felt she was very small for age. Thankfully, it all came back negative, but waiting for the results was very stressful. I hope Kai'a's tests come back negative and that whatever she is suffering with is easily treatable. Please keep us updated. I will keep you and Kai'a in my thoughts.

 

[Mally's Mom]

Special prayers going out for Kai'a. I will continue to keep her in my thoughts and prayers. Please give her a hug from me. Do continue to keep us posted, thanks.

 

[missjenneygirl]

I agree that no one is willing to return a pup that has become a family member. Our contract states that the pup will live out it's life with the family, if that is their choice, and at any time in the the future, when they are ready, I will give them another puppy. In 21 years this has happened only once, and there will be a puppy for them when they feel the time is right. I wish all breeders would do this, but some won't even leave the door open a crack.

 

[OntarioSheltie]

Greeting Everyone -

I know it's been a long time since I have checked in with all my friends in Sheltieland. Please trust me when I say I have missed you all and think of you, and your furbabies, all the time. I am happy to report that my absence has been a good one - filled with good health, happy family and wonderful times with Kai'a - who is now 9 1/2 months old. We have been busy ... got through all the layoffs at my job (still have it!), gone through training with Kai'a. A few vacations, several birthdays and the start of summer. What they say is true, no news is good news. We have been wonderful ...

Its so nice to hear from you! I've been wondering how you're doing and hoping for the best. Glad to hear that you and your family have been doing well.

They now think she is having seizures. They think it might be a Portasystemic Liver Shunt (???) and that the toxins are building up, over time then causing the seizure activity, which after, causes the fever. They are doing more tests, a Bile Acid test (?) and more blood work. But they said that the prognosis is not good either way. She told me Shelties are prone to this type of problem, but I have never run across it before. Her diet has not changed, no new foods, treats ... hasn't gotten in to anything. It's just out of the blue.

Has anyone else encountered this? Or symptoms like this? I am terrified. She has been the most healthy little girl and the idea that something could be so vitally wrong is gut wrenching. Since they don't have the tests completed, (it takes 2 days for results they say) might there be something else besides this that they can look into? Anything I can do in the mean time? If anyone has any experience with this or something like it ... I would be so grateful for the support and help.

I'm definitely no expert but I've not heard that liver shunts are a common problem in shelties. I DO know that there was one other member of the forum, Taralynn, who had a scare regarding Portasystemic Liver Shunts. Her a sibbling of her two shelties DID have one but both of her dogs ended up being ok. I'm not sure that I'd consider any kind of liver shunts in shelties 'common,' it just seems to be something that happens randomly in some dogs. I know the internet isn't always right, but if it were common I'd think it would say something, somewhere on a breeder's site about liver shunts.

There is no other group of people that I would turn to .... you understand. And I hope that even though I have been MIA for a while, that you will forgive that and chime in with your advice, wisdom and support. Also, 2 new pictures, (I know we love them!!) taken yesterday morning. Devyn and Kai'a ... snuggling on the floor. She is still really small. Only 10 lbs and 9.5 inches. My sick little girl.

I could really use it now. Thanks, from the bottom of my heart ....

Jennefer

Of course no one would judge you for not being around for a while! You're entitled to have a busy life, especially with fur and human kids.

I'm sorry that Kai hasn't been well and that you're so worried about her. From my own experience with a sick sheltie undergoing testing, my only advice would be to try not to jump to conclusions till the tests come back. You don't know for sure yet whats wrong with her (if anything) so its best not to get yourself worked up ahead of time. It may all be for nothing. Easier said than done, I know.

Kai is a cutie and reminds me so much of my little Ginny. Ginny is slightly bigger than Kai though.

http://picasaweb.google.com/OntarioSheltie/Ginny?authkey=Gv1sRgCKbF5Oq0wPGbfw#5486392383465446034

Despite spending the majority of her time in air conditioning, Ginny seems to be really effected by the heat and humidity, more so than Sadie who is twice her size. She acts fine but has had slight diarrhea on and off. Maybe Kai is sensitive to the heat too?

So glad to hear from you!

 

[Phebe*DD]

Jenny, I'm so saddened to hear of all that you and Kai'a have been going through recently. It sounds like your vet it really on top of things and giving the Kai'a the best and most attentive care possible. Just know that you both are in my prayers.

I agree that no one is willing to return a pup that has become a family member. Our contract states that the pup will live out it's life with the family, if that is their choice, and at any time in the the future, when they are ready, I will give them another puppy. In 21 years this has happened only once, and there will be a puppy for them when they feel the time is right. I wish all breeders would do this, but some won't even leave the door open a crack.

Bless you, Connie, for allowing a pup with health challenges to stay with its family and offering a new pup when they are ready. I think that breeders who really care about their pet placements only let their pet quality pups go to families who are willing to take on all the responsibilities of ownership, including unforeseen health problems, in the same way they would assume all the joys and challenges of adopting a child.

 

[Katniss]

I just wanted to give everyone a quick update ...

Kai'a is home. We still have not gotten the results of the Bile Acid tests but they should be in by tomorrow morning.

It's been a rough night/day. Watching her like a hawk. She is not eating much and although I do not believe she has had another seizure, she is not herself. Fatigued, zapped on energy, and mnore troubling, unable to react or respond to basic commands like: sit, come, down. I am not pushing her to focus to much. We are letting some manners go out the window right now.

Thank you all for your support and kindness. I wish I had a little more time to spend here with you all today, but I feel I am needed with my furkid. I will post as soon as I have some more information. Still hoping that it's not shunt ... that there must be another logical reason. A fixable one.

Hope you all had a wonderful day ...

 

[SheltieChe]

aww, so sorry your pup is not feeling well, there is nothing that makes us happier when our family is healthy...
neither liver shunt or seizures are common sheltie problems but
it has been noted that small size shelties generally have more health problems this is one of the reasons why breeding" toy sheltie" is not recommended...
and I do believe we could talk to our pups without words, we just have to think our thoughts loud inside our heads, Kai'a knows.

 

[Katniss]

it has been noted that small size shelties generally have more health problems this is one of the reasons why breeding" toy sheltie" is not recommended....

I couldn't agree more. Kai'a is not a "toy". Both her sire and damm are health, normal sized dogs that together had procuded one litter before hers. All healthy and average size dogs as well. Kai'a was just the runt. They had wanted to show her, but knew that she was not going to meet the breed stradards in size and I didn't mind that ... she is just a furry part of our family. We didn't mind that she was going to be on the smaller size, and I was already aware that sometimes smaller dogs do have some health problems.

I get so upset when people tell me my "toy" sheltie is so cute .... "where can I get one that small?" they ask. I go through the whole thing about how I personally feel that toy breeds are not a good idea (again, no offensive, that is my persoanl opinion) and that it can cause health and grow problems for the animals. I say that she is just a small little girl ... that God just made her that way. But I do get tired of the constant mini or toy comments whenever we go out. Good news ... she is up 1 lb and a 1/4 inch ... now is is all of 11.2 lbs. Bless her furry little heart.