Help!! Yorkie acting weird - YorkieTalk.com Forums

anniesmom68 · 03-22-2007, 06:56 AM

Hi everyone..
Last week my 5 year Male Yorkie started acting weird..Walking the base boards..Running into things Drinking alot of water and acting blind..
We took him to the Vet and they think he has a Liver problem he gave us some Meds to flush out his liver and gave us some low protein food.
He did blood work and didnt find much..He had another episode yesterday..The Vet recommended a Ultra sound..We did that and they found nothing and he suggested a Cat Scan.. which he said it could tell us something.1200.00-1500.00 for the Cat Scan
We have had spend 700.00 and dont know anything more when we first took him to the Vet. We wouldnt mind paying the money if we were getting answers.
Has anyone had a Yorkie with this problem and could suggest what test we need to get done..
Thanks for any information..

lisatodd · 03-22-2007, 06:57 AM

i am so very sorry. i have no idea but i hope someone comes on and can help you out.

JeanieK · 03-22-2007, 07:21 AM

I'm very sorry that you're baby is not well. Hope they find out what it is and can treat it.

psvidesigner · 03-22-2007, 07:30 AM

It is so tough to see symptons and not know the diagnosis. I know that first hand. We think Icky has some liver problems due to the bile acid test we had but the numbers were not high enough to indicate shunt. I would suggest that you go to yahoo and join the group for liver shunt and mvd dogs. You will find a lot of support and wealth of knowledge there. If you do not already have him on a liver supplement you may want to start there. You can use Marvin or something with milk thistle. That will help to restore liver cells. Did your vet say anything about antibiotic or lactulose or even a low protein diet? If not then you should ask or look for another vet who knows more about liver issues. Also, if he starts to seizure call them right away. I am no expert but have done a lot of research on the topic. Feel free to pm me if I can be of any further help. Good luck and I hope your baby is soon feeling better.

LoveMyGirlz · 03-22-2007, 07:37 AM

My advice is to see a neurologist next. They are not much more for a visit than going to a "regular" vet. When we took Lexxi, after every other test in the world showed NOTHING, that neuro took one look at her and "knew" what she had wrong. However, we still opted for the MRI ($1200) because that was the best way to be 100% sure of her condition and get her on proper meds. Which I might add, turned out to be Hydrocephalus.

Pipersmommy · 03-22-2007, 07:41 AM

If the Vet did an ultra sound & didn't see anything, It could be an internal shunt. My vet told me the only way they can find this out is by a biopsy. We'll find out more next month, when we take Piper in for another bile acid test. If her enzymes are high still after going on a low protein diet for 6 months, I'll start her on meds. She has no symptoms except high enzymes.
Did your vet do a bile acid test? or just blood work?
A bile acid test is where they fast over night, the vet draws blood, then feeds them & draws blood again. If the enzymes are high, the next step is an ultra sound to look for an external shunt. If they don't see one, it could be a internal shunt which is controled by diet & medication. My vet never mentioned doing a cat scan.

anniesmom68 · 03-22-2007, 07:41 AM

The Vet said something about the Bile Acid test it sounds like we may not get answers with that test also..
He is taking a Med to flush out his Liver and the Vet gave us some dog food with low protein.He seemed to be getting better. The day he had a episode we gave him his last dose the day before. The Vet gave us some yesterday.
Thank you for sharing your information..
THANK YOU,,,THANK YOU..

Pipersmommy · 03-22-2007, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anniesmom68

The Vet said something about the Bile Acid test it sounds like we may not get answers with that test also..
He is taking a Med to flush out his Liver and the Vet gave us some dog food with low protein.He seemed to be getting better. The day he had a episode we gave him his last dose the day before. The Vet gave us some yesterday.
Thank you for sharing your information..
THANK YOU,,,THANK YOU..

The only answers I got with the bile acid test was her enzymes were way too high. So diet has worked so far.

Susan123 · 03-22-2007, 09:52 AM

If the bile acid test hasn't been done yet, it can be very telling. The Bile Acid is significant for liver enzymes, and well it sounds like a liver shunt. Especially how the low-protein food is helping. I had a LS pet. She'd get worse after a regular, High protein meal. She had trouble walking and balancing herself, standing. He may have already done the bile acid test but you may want to make sure. (I could have misread, you may have stated that he had it done).

Also, like a previous poster said, it could be neurological.

anniesmom68 · 03-25-2007, 06:11 PM

I havent had a Bile Acid test yet. The Vet they couldnt see a Liver Shunt and that is Liver was very small. That makes me think with his Liver being so small it probably is a Liver problem. Is neurological problems the same symptoms as a Liver Shunt?

PANAMA69 · 03-25-2007, 06:56 PM

Poor baby hope thing turn out well for him, prayers are going your way

Catrina · 03-25-2007, 06:59 PM

Oh no, hope hes doing well

Patti · 03-25-2007, 07:00 PM

I would insist on a Bile Acid test first. Cali had elevated Bile Acid test and then the ultrasound which showed nothing. Then she had a liver biopsy whuch showed a mild internal liver shunt. Good luck

mizzwanned · 03-25-2007, 11:28 PM

What kind of food do you feed him? Could it be because of the food recall?

2cute4me · 03-26-2007, 03:33 AM

My first yorkie Daisy had the same symptoms. She was only a few months old. She ran around the floorboards around the edge of the room and she couldn't see. I took her to the emergency vet clinic and they told me they thought she had a liver shunt. They called it temporary dementia (spelling?). They kept her overnight and "flushed her out". They recommended that we take her to a local specialist where they confirmed a liver shunt. We were able to regulate her with special food and she was fine without surgery. The vet said that many yorkies have liver shunts but not severe enough to show symptoms and some will develop symptoms at a few years old. I'm happy to say that it can be successfully treated. Good luck with your furbaby!

03-22-2007, 06:56 AM	#1
anniesmom68 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Hammond Indiana Posts: 88	Help!! Yorkie acting weird Hi everyone.. Last week my 5 year Male Yorkie started acting weird..Walking the base boards..Running into things Drinking alot of water and acting blind.. We took him to the Vet and they think he has a Liver problem he gave us some Meds to flush out his liver and gave us some low protein food. He did blood work and didnt find much..He had another episode yesterday..The Vet recommended a Ultra sound..We did that and they found nothing and he suggested a Cat Scan.. which he said it could tell us something.1200.00-1500.00 for the Cat Scan We have had spend 700.00 and dont know anything more when we first took him to the Vet. We wouldnt mind paying the money if we were getting answers. Has anyone had a Yorkie with this problem and could suggest what test we need to get done.. Thanks for any information..

03-22-2007, 06:57 AM	#2
lisatodd Little Boogers Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: virginia beach, va Posts: 4,460	i am so very sorry. i have no idea but i hope someone comes on and can help you out. __________________ lisa lisa and the cult jam yorkies

03-22-2007, 07:37 AM	#5
LoveMyGirlz Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 1,908	My advice is to see a neurologist next. They are not much more for a visit than going to a "regular" vet. When we took Lexxi, after every other test in the world showed NOTHING, that neuro took one look at her and "knew" what she had wrong. However, we still opted for the MRI ($1200) because that was the best way to be 100% sure of her condition and get her on proper meds. Which I might add, turned out to be Hydrocephalus. __________________ God Bless our troops R.I.P. Sweet Lexxi Girl - you were taken too soon, we love you always Vixxen ,Truffles , Gemma Lexxi and their mommy Trina- Girls Rule!

03-22-2007, 07:41 AM	#6
Pipersmommy Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: SW Fl Posts: 1,808	If the Vet did an ultra sound & didn't see anything, It could be an internal shunt. My vet told me the only way they can find this out is by a biopsy. We'll find out more next month, when we take Piper in for another bile acid test. If her enzymes are high still after going on a low protein diet for 6 months, I'll start her on meds. She has no symptoms except high enzymes. Did your vet do a bile acid test? or just blood work? A bile acid test is where they fast over night, the vet draws blood, then feeds them & draws blood again. If the enzymes are high, the next step is an ultra sound to look for an external shunt. If they don't see one, it could be a internal shunt which is controled by diet & medication. My vet never mentioned doing a cat scan. __________________ Debbie (mommy to) Misha, Piper & Maximillion

03-25-2007, 07:00 PM	#13
Patti Donating YT 30K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 35,509 Blog Entries: 6	I would insist on a Bile Acid test first. Cali had elevated Bile Acid test and then the ultrasound which showed nothing. Then she had a liver biopsy whuch showed a mild internal liver shunt. Good luck __________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html

03-22-2007, 07:21 AM	#3
JeanieK Donating YT 12K Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Council Bluffs Iowa Posts: 12,552	I'm very sorry that you're baby is not well. Hope they find out what it is and can treat it.

03-22-2007, 07:30 AM	#4
psvidesigner YT Addict Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 288	It is so tough to see symptons and not know the diagnosis. I know that first hand. We think Icky has some liver problems due to the bile acid test we had but the numbers were not high enough to indicate shunt. I would suggest that you go to yahoo and join the group for liver shunt and mvd dogs. You will find a lot of support and wealth of knowledge there. If you do not already have him on a liver supplement you may want to start there. You can use Marvin or something with milk thistle. That will help to restore liver cells. Did your vet say anything about antibiotic or lactulose or even a low protein diet? If not then you should ask or look for another vet who knows more about liver issues. Also, if he starts to seizure call them right away. I am no expert but have done a lot of research on the topic. Feel free to pm me if I can be of any further help. Good luck and I hope your baby is soon feeling better.

03-22-2007, 09:52 AM	#9
Susan123 YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 1,455	If the bile acid test hasn't been done yet, it can be very telling. The Bile Acid is significant for liver enzymes, and well it sounds like a liver shunt. Especially how the low-protein food is helping. I had a LS pet. She'd get worse after a regular, High protein meal. She had trouble walking and balancing herself, standing. He may have already done the bile acid test but you may want to make sure. (I could have misread, you may have stated that he had it done). Also, like a previous poster said, it could be neurological.

03-25-2007, 06:11 PM	#10
anniesmom68 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Hammond Indiana Posts: 88	I havent had a Bile Acid test yet. The Vet they couldnt see a Liver Shunt and that is Liver was very small. That makes me think with his Liver being so small it probably is a Liver problem. Is neurological problems the same symptoms as a Liver Shunt?

03-25-2007, 06:56 PM	#11
PANAMA69 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: ~~YorkieWorld~~ Posts: 8,428	Poor baby hope thing turn out well for him, prayers are going your way

03-25-2007, 06:59 PM	#12
Catrina I love my lil wolf! ;) Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Washington Posts: 2,434	Oh no, hope hes doing well

03-25-2007, 11:28 PM	#14
mizzwanned Donating YT 11K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: new york Posts: 14,007 Blog Entries: 2	What kind of food do you feed him? Could it be because of the food recall?

03-26-2007, 03:33 AM	#15
2cute4me Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: No. Virginia Posts: 96	My first yorkie Daisy had the same symptoms. She was only a few months old. She ran around the floorboards around the edge of the room and she couldn't see. I took her to the emergency vet clinic and they told me they thought she had a liver shunt. They called it temporary dementia (spelling?). They kept her overnight and "flushed her out". They recommended that we take her to a local specialist where they confirmed a liver shunt. We were able to regulate her with special food and she was fine without surgery. The vet said that many yorkies have liver shunts but not severe enough to show symptoms and some will develop symptoms at a few years old. I'm happy to say that it can be successfully treated. Good luck with your furbaby! __________________ Yorkies Rock!! Darcy, Rocky, & Daisy