Teddy Bear's Liver Shunt - YorkieTalk.com Forums

ladyjane · 02-09-2013, 03:55 PM

It's been a whirlwind of a week in my home. Among a few other things, my pup, Teddy Bear vomited one day and did not eat that afternoon. The next morning (Wed.) he turned his nose up to food and then I noticed he was a bit hunched over. I took him to my vet and after labs were drawn and he had an elevated WBC and Lipase and Amylase he started out with a presumptive diagnosis of pancreatitis and was on IV fluids all day. That night he had some rectal bleeding and I took him to the EC. Poor Teddy's bladder was distended and full of bloody urine. They did xrays and and ultrasound and found that he had bladder stones. He was treated with IV fluids and monitored all night and then transferred to my vet early that morning and then she referred him to Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists, the specialists I use in Houston. They found many stones AND urine in his abdominal cavity. The specialist was very concerned and advised me that his prognosis was guarded.

The next day (Friday), I had to go there for one of my fosters, Sunny D, and the specialist who was taking care of Teddy Bear came over to the surgical side to advise me that he felt we needed to do surgery to remove the stones right away. Teddy was catheterized..when they had straight cath'd him during the night, the stones kept going right back to block the urethra. During the night they had done a scan to view the urinary system because of the urine that had been in his abdomen...they had not found any leaks. There was a clot in his bladder, so they thought perhaps there was a small tear. I gave the ok for surgery and went out to have lunch. While out, I received a phone call advising me that when they saw the stones, they felt strongly that Teddy must have a shunt and sure enough they found one and I gave the ok to do that repair. Thankfully, the surgery went very well. Gosh, I am just so unbelievably thankful for the way things turned out. They don't think he had pancreatitis at all ... and honestly if he had not had that rectal bleeding, his bladder probably would have ruptured. It was midnight when I took him in and I imagine I would not have noticed he was not voiding until the next morning. I shudder to think what might have happened.

I went to see Teddy today and he looked so well...I had expected him to be really out of it. I was amazed. He will probably be coming home on Monday. Below are some pics of him that my son took today...you can see that he is still dribbling some bloody urine. That is to be expected because one of the stones was in his urethra, so it is a bit irritated. They expect that to clear up.

teddy1.jpg

teddy2.jpg

teddy3.jpg

jacquelinebabco · 02-09-2013, 04:17 PM

Wow, what a great mom you are! I am so glad you caught this and saved Teddy Bear! It sure pays to act quickly when you have a sick baby!

kamax60 · 02-09-2013, 04:17 PM

Wow Teddy, way to keep Mom on her toes -

Linda, that incision looks great! Glad he's doing so well. Heal quickly Teddy!!!

sandy simpson · 02-09-2013, 04:26 PM

I am so thankful little Teddy Bear is going to be all right. You had a great vet and you moved quickly when you saw things were not right. Bless you for taking such good care of little Teddy. He is so adorable and I will pray for a complete recovery for him. Such a precious little dog who will bring you so much love. You will get a great blessing for taking care of such a sweet little dog!

BabyGirl Rosie · 02-09-2013, 04:31 PM

He looks good considering all he has been through! Thank goodness you got him in immediately Linda! Give the little boy hugs from me and the girls!

ladyjane · 02-09-2013, 04:32 PM

Interestingly, Teddy Bear was a foster of mine back in 2007 and I ended up adopting him. He is estimated to be 8 years of age. This was a congenital shunt....and he has never had any symptoms at all. No elevations in liver enzymes...he has had 8 lab studies done since 2007. Just so weird. I am so glad it happened the way it did....it fell in place in a way that was amazing.

Buster Brown · 02-09-2013, 04:42 PM

What an eventful week. I am so glad Teddy Bear is recovering so well. He looks really alert in the photos and happy to be in your arms. The incision does looks great. His guardian angel was certainly watching over him, each step led to a better diagnosis and treatment. This is a good example of observing your pet and knowing normal behavior and when you notice they are off taking them in early to be checked out can prevent issues from escalating. Best wishes for a smooth and successful recovery for Teddy Bear and for a peaceful week for you.

ladyjane · 02-09-2013, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamax60

Wow Teddy, way to keep Mom on her toes -

Linda, that incision looks great! Glad he's doing so well. Heal quickly Teddy!!!

Yeah, I expected a nasty incision.....I was pleasantly surprised.

yorkiecrazy · 02-09-2013, 05:01 PM

What a week you have had. So glad Teddy Bear is doing okay. Wishing little Teddy Bear a speedy recovery.
Did your son happened to be the one to bring him to GC Thursday? I was there and a guy came in with a little Yorkie named Teddy Bear.

ladyjane · 02-09-2013, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buster Brown

What an eventful week. I am so glad Teddy Bear is recovering so well. He looks really alert in the photos and happy to be in your arms. The incision does looks great. His guardian angel was certainly watching over him, each step led to a better diagnosis and treatment. This is a good example of observing your pet and knowing normal behavior and when you notice they are off taking them in early to be checked out can prevent issues from escalating. Best wishes for a smooth and successful recovery for Teddy Bear and for a peaceful week for you.

Thank you, Carolyn.

ladyjane · 02-09-2013, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yorkiecrazy

What a week you have had. So glad Teddy Bear is doing okay. Wishing little Teddy Bear a speedy recovery.
Did your son happened to be the one to bring him to GC Thursday? I was there and a guy came in with a little Yorkie named Teddy Bear.

Yes, he did! Big guy, little yorkie. That would be them!

ladyjane · 02-09-2013, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BabyGirl Rosie

He looks good considering all he has been through! Thank goodness you got him in immediately Linda! Give the little boy hugs from me and the girls!

Will do...thanks!

ladyjane · 02-09-2013, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacquelinebabco

Wow, what a great mom you are! I am so glad you caught this and saved Teddy Bear! It sure pays to act quickly when you have a sick baby!

I don't wait ever....much too risky. These little ones can go down so quickly.

Perrella · 02-09-2013, 05:29 PM

Just saw this...wow, what a week you have had. It's wonderful to read Teddy came through so well. That little fella is a fighter! Hugs to you both

:

Sending prayers for a Teddy & Sammy.

yorkiecrazy · 02-09-2013, 05:33 PM

Oh my goodness!!! What a small world. I was the women in a light blue striped shirt with a light brown doggy purse. Teddy Bear was wrapped up I could only see his little face. He looked so sad I felt so bad for him. GC is the best!

02-09-2013, 03:55 PM	#1
ladyjane Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 27,467	Teddy Bear's Liver Shunt It's been a whirlwind of a week in my home. Among a few other things, my pup, Teddy Bear vomited one day and did not eat that afternoon. The next morning (Wed.) he turned his nose up to food and then I noticed he was a bit hunched over. I took him to my vet and after labs were drawn and he had an elevated WBC and Lipase and Amylase he started out with a presumptive diagnosis of pancreatitis and was on IV fluids all day. That night he had some rectal bleeding and I took him to the EC. Poor Teddy's bladder was distended and full of bloody urine. They did xrays and and ultrasound and found that he had bladder stones. He was treated with IV fluids and monitored all night and then transferred to my vet early that morning and then she referred him to Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists, the specialists I use in Houston. They found many stones AND urine in his abdominal cavity. The specialist was very concerned and advised me that his prognosis was guarded. The next day (Friday), I had to go there for one of my fosters, Sunny D, and the specialist who was taking care of Teddy Bear came over to the surgical side to advise me that he felt we needed to do surgery to remove the stones right away. Teddy was catheterized..when they had straight cath'd him during the night, the stones kept going right back to block the urethra. During the night they had done a scan to view the urinary system because of the urine that had been in his abdomen...they had not found any leaks. There was a clot in his bladder, so they thought perhaps there was a small tear. I gave the ok for surgery and went out to have lunch. While out, I received a phone call advising me that when they saw the stones, they felt strongly that Teddy must have a shunt and sure enough they found one and I gave the ok to do that repair. Thankfully, the surgery went very well. Gosh, I am just so unbelievably thankful for the way things turned out. They don't think he had pancreatitis at all ... and honestly if he had not had that rectal bleeding, his bladder probably would have ruptured. It was midnight when I took him in and I imagine I would not have noticed he was not voiding until the next morning. I shudder to think what might have happened. I went to see Teddy today and he looked so well...I had expected him to be really out of it. I was amazed. He will probably be coming home on Monday. Below are some pics of him that my son took today...you can see that he is still dribbling some bloody urine. That is to be expected because one of the stones was in his urethra, so it is a bit irritated. They expect that to clear up. teddy1.jpg teddy2.jpg teddy3.jpg __________________ CLOUD NINE BEDS--YORKIE HAVEN RESCUE MY ETSY SHOP

02-09-2013, 04:17 PM	#3
kamax60 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Arkansas Posts: 543	Wow Teddy, way to keep Mom on her toes - Linda, that incision looks great! Glad he's doing so well. Heal quickly Teddy!!! __________________ Kandy and Mr. Beasley

02-09-2013, 04:31 PM	#5
BabyGirl Rosie I ♥ my girls! Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: With My Yorkies Posts: 18,980	He looks good considering all he has been through! Thank goodness you got him in immediately Linda! Give the little boy hugs from me and the girls! __________________ Momma to three sweet Yorkie girls Rosie Marie, Mikki Leigh , and Lily Mae Grace!

02-09-2013, 04:32 PM	#6
ladyjane Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 27,467	Interestingly, Teddy Bear was a foster of mine back in 2007 and I ended up adopting him. He is estimated to be 8 years of age. This was a congenital shunt....and he has never had any symptoms at all. No elevations in liver enzymes...he has had 8 lab studies done since 2007. Just so weird. I am so glad it happened the way it did....it fell in place in a way that was amazing. __________________ CLOUD NINE BEDS--YORKIE HAVEN RESCUE MY ETSY SHOP

02-09-2013, 04:42 PM	#7
Buster Brown Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Toluca Lake, CA Posts: 5,491	What an eventful week. I am so glad Teddy Bear is recovering so well. He looks really alert in the photos and happy to be in your arms. The incision does looks great. His guardian angel was certainly watching over him, each step led to a better diagnosis and treatment. This is a good example of observing your pet and knowing normal behavior and when you notice they are off taking them in early to be checked out can prevent issues from escalating. Best wishes for a smooth and successful recovery for Teddy Bear and for a peaceful week for you. __________________ CarolynBuster Brown "The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything."

02-09-2013, 04:17 PM	#2
jacquelinebabco Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: hannacroix,ny Posts: 1,364	Wow, what a great mom you are! I am so glad you caught this and saved Teddy Bear! It sure pays to act quickly when you have a sick baby!

02-09-2013, 04:26 PM	#4
sandy simpson YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: santee, california Posts: 2,123 Blog Entries: 1	I am so thankful little Teddy Bear is going to be all right. You had a great vet and you moved quickly when you saw things were not right. Bless you for taking such good care of little Teddy. He is so adorable and I will pray for a complete recovery for him. Such a precious little dog who will bring you so much love. You will get a great blessing for taking care of such a sweet little dog!

02-09-2013, 05:01 PM	#9
yorkiecrazy Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Houston area Posts: 2,672	What a week you have had. So glad Teddy Bear is doing okay. Wishing little Teddy Bear a speedy recovery. Did your son happened to be the one to bring him to GC Thursday? I was there and a guy came in with a little Yorkie named Teddy Bear. __________________ Jamie - Gracie's Katie's and Chloe's mom : Gracie 11-12-99 11-1-2012

02-09-2013, 05:29 PM	#14
Perrella Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: VA Posts: 8,040	Just saw this...wow, what a week you have had. It's wonderful to read Teddy came through so well. That little fella is a fighter! Hugs to you both: Sending prayers for a Teddy & Sammy. __________________ Tena & Zhoie Sweet Little Miracle Last edited by Perrella; 02-09-2013 at 05:31 PM.

02-09-2013, 05:33 PM	#15
yorkiecrazy Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Houston area Posts: 2,672	Oh my goodness!!! What a small world. I was the women in a light blue striped shirt with a light brown doggy purse. Teddy Bear was wrapped up I could only see his little face. He looked so sad I felt so bad for him. GC is the best! __________________ Jamie - Gracie's Katie's and Chloe's mom : Gracie 11-12-99 11-1-2012