Does anyone else have a Liver Shunt dog or have any information on them or experience with them? I adopted a chocolate lab puppy when she was surrendered because she had a large liver shunt. She was 4 1/2 months old and a very frail 27 pounds and only expected to live a few months. I took her to a vet specialist who put her on Hill's Liver Care diet, Lactalose and Neomycin. She is now 1 year old and doing very well and weighs 57.7 pounds. Sort of a miracle! She still hasn't come in heat and she seems to be strong but trying to find anyone who knows about Liver Shunts. Thanks.
Hello, and a very warm welcome - and how lovely to hear your rescue pup is doing well. What's her name? Do tell us more about her. I can't help with your question, sorry, I hope others can. I just wanted to say "hi".
Hi, liver shunts (also known as portosystemic shunts) occur when there one or more aberrant blood vessels which essentially bypass the liver, shunting blood from the portal veins to the systemic circulation. Pups born with this condition are usually small and thin, with a variety of signs from poor appetite through vomiting to fits. If the shunt is large and outside the liver itself, surgery is frequently successful - a ring is placed around the aberrant blood vessel which gradually tightens and closes off the shunt, allowing blood to flow through the liver properly. However if the shunt is within the liver itself then surgery is very tricky and these animals are usually managed medically as you describe. Good luck with your pup and hope this helps
Hello and welcome to the forum. I only know what I've just read through googling live shunts and reading Lochan's post. It sounds as if you are doing a great job with your girl. She was very lucky the day you adopted her.
Hi there, it sounds as though you are doing a brilliant job of caring for your dog! Best of luck with her and welcome to the forum
Thank you to all. Her name is Maggie and she will be 1 years old on Monday. (Yes, we have a party planned.) Unfortunately much of what is online is not correct. I learned the hard way. She has a large shunt and it is indeed inside the liver and they cannot operate on her. Also liver shunt dogs have a very, very difficult time coming out of anesthesia - sometimes several days. She eats a very strict diet and absolutely no animal protein (produces too much ammonia) or anything with copper in it. Fortunately she loves her special Hill's liver diet. She gets no treats or anything else. I have to sneak our other chocolate lab treats. She was so frail when we got her - little a little fawn. She had been vomiting and had diarrhea for several days until I got her to the vet. Then was sent to the specialist vet. I just am wondering how common or rare it is in labs. Most of the research is done on Yorkies, which are an entire different dog! LOL
Single intrahepatic shunts are more common in large breed dogs including labs, single extrahepatic shunts are more common in terriers including the Yorkie.
Welcome to the forum! Maggie is lucky that she found you - you have obviously made an incredible difference to her life. I'm sure she gives as much love as she gets too
Hello and welcome. I can't offer any experience, either, but it certainly sounds as if you know what you're doing. We'd love to see some pictures of Maggie
Hi and welcome, I too have no advice or knowledge but your Maggie sure was a lucky girl to have you come into her life. What a transformation you describe. We love photos
Hello! I am new to the forum and I just adopted a puppy from a rescue. He's tiny and I had the feeling something was off, so I had my vet run tests and they came back with very low protein levels. His litter mate has zero liver function so obviously my vet thinks it's liver related and probably a shunt. He has gained 6 lbs in 3 weeks and is a very smart and active little guy. So anyway! I wanted to ask how the original posters dog is doing by now?
I'm afraid that poster hasn't been back on since they posted this a couple of years ago, so unfortunately don't know the outcome. jac
I have a 3 month old black lab that has been told she has a liver shunt. She only weighs 15lbs and has episodes of wandering and standing in corners when toxins build up in her blood. She hasn't been throwing up or diarrhea and she currently on lactalose and amoxicillin. We are going to start her on the Hill's Liver Care diet. We just can't afford to have the surgery but I can't bring myself to put her down. I'm looking for any information out there to help her live a long rich life.
Hi new tonight.My gorgeous girl was diagnosed with a intra hepatic shunt at 4 months old. almost died and went blind but then a miracle .l have lots of experience with looking after my beautiful Saskia. I want to advise anyone I can.She had a special diet of royal canin hepatic food amoxycillan and lactulose.
Hi @diane mooney and welcome to the forum! Sounds like you are doing a great job with your girl, how old is she now?
Hi Diane, welcome to the forum - it's always great to have people on board that can support other members with health issues Look forward to hearing more about Saskia
