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Old 11-25-2008, 11:46 AM   #11
Yorkieluv
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: USA
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Dogs with liver shunts are typically extremely picky eaters b/c they relate the sick feeling to the food. When they ingest protein it turns to ammonia and the liver is supposed to filter this, but when there's a liver shunt, it is NOT filtered and the ammonia enters the bloodstream. It's the equivalent of having poison in your bloodstream and it causes the sick feeling, occasional lethargy, very picky eating, and the symptoms can become much more serious.
Meats/poultry produce the most ammonia while vegetarian/dairy proteins produce less ammonia, but you still have to be careful even with veg. protein. Once you are able to show your baby that food isn't ALL evil, she may start eating again, but it's a slow process...I would highly recommend that you ask your vet for a prescription of Royal Canin Hepatic LS 14 which I like better than the l/d. It is much more palatable for them from what I have seen.
Don't try to feed large meals b/c that will make her sick and picky all over again. Try to do at least 4 small meals per day. If you normally feed her 1/4 cup throughout the whole day, divide that 1/4 cup into 4 portions, and only feed her that amount at each feeding. That way, she doesn't overload on protein (even if it's vegetarian) and it doesn't cause her liver to go into overdrive.
You can always add water or mix in some seedless watermelon with the kibble to entice her to eat it.

Hopefully you can get her bloodwork results back soon.
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