update: 3 yo male having seizures - YorkieTalk.com Forums

sallen15 · 07-20-2007, 10:28 AM

I posted earlier this week about my sisters 3-year-old male yorkie Bogey who had his fourth seizure this year over the weekend.

Well today she took him to the vet and they did some bloodwork, she'll hear back on the results by the end of the day. But, the vet told her it could be one of two things:

1. Liver shunt, I'm assuming this is what my sister meant when she said "slow blood flow to the liver, thus, making him having neurological problems.

OR:

2. epilepsy

Next week he is having the acid bile test performed and a ultrasound to identify whether or not it is his liver that is causing his problems. She said that both of the diseases are treatable, the epilepsy by medication to help him gain weight, that would be taken twice a day for an extended period of time.

I feel so bad for Bogey and for my sister, she loves him so much and I just hope that everything will turn out alright. I've read so many sad stories about liver shunts that have killed the dogs.

Does anyone know what common treatments for both of these diseases are as well as estimated costs to treat?

Yorkieluv · 07-20-2007, 10:33 AM

After they do the bile acid test, make sure that they do at least a doppler ultrasound, not a regular ultrasound...Regular ultrasounds are generally inconclusive in pointing out liver shunts...Generally a scintigraphy or portography are the tests that they do to check for liver shunt.
Also, if Bogey does not have a liver shunt, he could have HMD/MVD which is managed through special diet, lactulose, and supplements...
If it is an extrahepatic liver shunt, it requires surgery...They do this surgery at the University of Tennessee for around $1600 which includes pre-op testing(ie.scintigraphy and bloodwork), the actual surgery, and post-op care...The vets there are some of the best liver shunt vets in the nation.
I am praying for your sister's yorkie, and please continue to keep us updated!!

Yorkieluv · 07-20-2007, 10:42 AM

If it's HMD/MVD, then the cost of treatment is about $10 for lactulose...$40.00 for a bag of dog food that will last a 4 months...$30 in supplements per month... But this is all relative...It totally depends on the dog.
As far as epilepsy, I'm not too familiar with the treatments, so hopefully someone on here who has dealt with it or knows about it can post that info for you.

sallen15 · 07-20-2007, 10:47 AM

Thank You! I really appreciate your knowledge, I will pass it on to my sister. Wow I didn't realize what a great Vet program The University of Tennessee has, I just finished my undergradute degree this may from UT in Journalism & Electronic Media and Poli Sci.

diggy4 · 07-20-2007, 12:52 PM

Did they consider hypoglycemia? My baby had seizures between 9-13 weeks from Hypo. I did Bile Acid and blood tests also, which I would follow through with VERY important and MUCH peace of mind. Did the vet ever mention this as a possibility?

diggy4 · 07-20-2007, 12:53 PM

I read that wrong....I thought it said 3 month old....ignore my post....if he is 3 probably not hypo So sorry.

07-20-2007, 10:28 AM	#1
sallen15 YT Addict Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: West Chester, OH Posts: 410	update: 3 yo male having seizures I posted earlier this week about my sisters 3-year-old male yorkie Bogey who had his fourth seizure this year over the weekend. Well today she took him to the vet and they did some bloodwork, she'll hear back on the results by the end of the day. But, the vet told her it could be one of two things: 1. Liver shunt, I'm assuming this is what my sister meant when she said "slow blood flow to the liver, thus, making him having neurological problems. OR: 2. epilepsy Next week he is having the acid bile test performed and a ultrasound to identify whether or not it is his liver that is causing his problems. She said that both of the diseases are treatable, the epilepsy by medication to help him gain weight, that would be taken twice a day for an extended period of time. I feel so bad for Bogey and for my sister, she loves him so much and I just hope that everything will turn out alright. I've read so many sad stories about liver shunts that have killed the dogs. Does anyone know what common treatments for both of these diseases are as well as estimated costs to treat?

07-20-2007, 10:33 AM	#2
Yorkieluv Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: USA Posts: 7,178	After they do the bile acid test, make sure that they do at least a doppler ultrasound, not a regular ultrasound...Regular ultrasounds are generally inconclusive in pointing out liver shunts...Generally a scintigraphy or portography are the tests that they do to check for liver shunt. Also, if Bogey does not have a liver shunt, he could have HMD/MVD which is managed through special diet, lactulose, and supplements... If it is an extrahepatic liver shunt, it requires surgery...They do this surgery at the University of Tennessee for around $1600 which includes pre-op testing(ie.scintigraphy and bloodwork), the actual surgery, and post-op care...The vets there are some of the best liver shunt vets in the nation. I am praying for your sister's yorkie, and please continue to keep us updated!! __________________ Miko 's his Mommy

07-20-2007, 10:42 AM	#3
Yorkieluv Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: USA Posts: 7,178	If it's HMD/MVD, then the cost of treatment is about $10 for lactulose...$40.00 for a bag of dog food that will last a 4 months...$30 in supplements per month... But this is all relative...It totally depends on the dog. As far as epilepsy, I'm not too familiar with the treatments, so hopefully someone on here who has dealt with it or knows about it can post that info for you. __________________ Miko 's his Mommy Last edited by Yorkieluv; 07-20-2007 at 10:43 AM.

07-20-2007, 12:52 PM	#5
diggy4 Bella Boo & Diggy Too! Donating GS Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Detroit Posts: 6,156 Blog Entries: 5	Did they consider hypoglycemia? My baby had seizures between 9-13 weeks from Hypo. I did Bile Acid and blood tests also, which I would follow through with VERY important and MUCH peace of mind. Did the vet ever mention this as a possibility? __________________ ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN

07-20-2007, 12:53 PM	#6
diggy4 Bella Boo & Diggy Too! Donating GS Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Detroit Posts: 6,156 Blog Entries: 5	I read that wrong....I thought it said 3 month old....ignore my post....if he is 3 probably not hypo So sorry. __________________ ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN

07-20-2007, 10:47 AM	#4
sallen15 YT Addict Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: West Chester, OH Posts: 410	Thank You! I really appreciate your knowledge, I will pass it on to my sister. Wow I didn't realize what a great Vet program The University of Tennessee has, I just finished my undergradute degree this may from UT in Journalism & Electronic Media and Poli Sci.