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Hi, please help

7K views 59 replies 27 participants last post by  JanaeUlva 
#1 ·
Hi there. It's my first time posting on here. I recently bought a long haired GSD. I called him Boufo. He is only 9 weeks old.

Yesterday while he was on my lap while my friend was driving Boufo started weeing and pooing. I got my friend to pull over and as I lifted him outside he was fully stiff and fell straight over onto his head. I picked him up again and he fell over again. I then laid him down and realize he was having a seizure. He was frothing at the mouth and his heart was racing.

I quickly drove him to the vet when they sedated him and did test. They said he had fluid in his lungs but were not sure why.. After about 24hrs of test and 6 or 7 more seizures they are still unsure of what is wrong. They think it is a shunt near his liver which is not allowing him to process his food properly. This is causing a build up of toxins in his body which they think is causing the seizures.

They are waiting for results from a test which had to be sent away. I hopefully get these results tomorrow morning.

They also can see something in his stomach. They think he may have eaten rocks. He is currently unable to pass these through his body. This is causing more complications in diagnosing exactly what is wrong.

He is currently too unstable to operate on as the medicines will most probably kill him..

Does anyone have any information or experience with shunts and or rocks in a dogs stomach.

Please help if you can.

Thanks,
Nick
 
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#2 ·
no experience with shunts , but rocks in puppies stomache can kill him if they are causing a blockage they need to be removed asap:( But I understand why your vet doesn't wish to operate at his moment since he is unstable.

I would call your breeder and alert them to what's going on and I hope your puppy pulls thru.
 
#3 ·
No shunts experience but unfortunately when my puppy was 3 months old we went to a lake with family and pup was playing in the water and swallowed 16 or more rocks :(I didn't know this until the next day when I found them in her poop, she started being sick she had diarrhea and rocks coming out, she was very weak and not eating but passing rocks and diarrhea as soon as I saw the reason she is sick I immediately drove to the vet I was so scared... The vet said she didn't feel rocks through the stomach and through her behind she had no fever and while at the vet the dog was actually eating dog biscuits so it was definately a good sign. The vet offered a bunch of expenssive tests but was honest to admit that most likely she will pass them and if she feels worse take her back to the vet ASAP i live across the street from my vet...so I went home with all my ER info ready to go in the middle of the night if needed...all I had to do is grab the pup and head to ER if she felt worse. Which was 10 min away from home. Whithin like 5 hours all her rocks came out and she started eating and drinking and playing and being her old self:)the same day!!!! I was terrified for her life and those rocks still freak me out. I think she confused then with ice chips. I never gave her ice again. I very much hope your pup makes it alive.
 
#5 ·
Welcome to the site, sorry under these circumstances. Like Diane said, call your breeder and let them know.

Portal Vascular Abnormalities
Usually occurs when a portal-systemic shunt allows blood to pass from the digestive tract directly into the general circulation without being detoxified by the liver first. Usually a congenital defect restricted to young dogs and puppies, but can be the result of hepatic cirrhosis. Symptoms are never consistent, but many dogs are young, malnourished, chronically sick, poorly tolerant of toxins, drugs, and anesthetics, and tending to eat strange items (pica). Diagnosis is based on physical exam, history, laboratory tests, and specialized X-rays showing blood flow through the liver. Treatment is surgical correction of the circulatory abnormality to force the blood into the liver prior to it entering the general circulation.
From:
Disease Types | Canine Liver Disease Foundation

I am not sure if an ultrasound is a thing that will help get you more info or not.

It might be necessary to see an internal medicine specialist/board certified surgeon.

I am going to try to find some liver shunt puppies that did well...look at this - 2 in one archived thread! http://www.imom.org/community/index.php?showtopic=1497
 
#6 ·
Welcome to the site. Sorry, I have no helpful info but I do hope your pup is okay. For sure call your breeder and let them know what is happening. Will be thinking of you and your pup. Let us know how he does.
 
#12 ·
I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this, your puppy is so young :(

We had a dog with a mild liver shunt, and gave her liver support supplements.
S Adenosyl (SAMe) for Dogs and Cats by Vitality Systems

Milk thistle can also be used, providing your puppy pulls through.
The problem of course, if it's a liver issue, the liver has to detoxify the anesthesia correctly or surgery is often too risky.
 
#13 ·
Wish I could help you ... hope and pray your pup will be okay.

Years ago I read a lot about liver shunts on certain AOL dog breed boards ... can't recall the breeds today so I googled breeds prone to shunts ... Shih Tzus, Yorkies, Tibetian Spaniels, and Minature Schnauzers (spelling may be wrong). Also mentioned were Irish Wolfhounds and Labs for a different type of liver shunt. Why don't you see if you can find more information by checking out these breeds where the problem is more prevalent.

GOOD LUCK!!!
 
#16 ·
Hi there. It's my first time posting on here. I recently bought a long haired GSD. I called him Boufo. He is only 9 weeks old.

Yesterday while he was on my lap while my friend was driving Boufo started weeing and pooing. I got my friend to pull over and as I lifted him outside he was fully stiff and fell straight over onto his head. I picked him up again and he fell over again. I then laid him down and realize he was having a seizure. He was frothing at the mouth and his heart was racing.

I quickly drove him to the vet when they sedated him and did test. They said he had fluid in his lungs but were not sure why.. After about 24hrs of test and 6 or 7 more seizures they are still unsure of what is wrong. They think it is a shunt near his liver which is not allowing him to process his food properly. This is causing a build up of toxins in his body which they think is causing the seizures.

They are waiting for results from a test which had to be sent away. I hopefully get these results tomorrow morning.

They also can see something in his stomach. They think he may have eaten rocks. He is currently unable to pass these through his body. This is causing more complications in diagnosing exactly what is wrong.

He is currently too unstable to operate on as the medicines will most probably kill him..

Does anyone have any information or experience with shunts and or rocks in a dogs stomach.

Please help if you can.

Thanks,
Nick
What tests? Was he x-rayed to determine what is in the gut? You don't have to anesthesize to x-ray, especially with advent of digital...

Could the vet not have induced vomiting while being supervised or giving something to help evacuate thru the other end?

Is it possible that the cause is the rocks or whatever and not a liver shunt. Dogs unlike humans only produce bile and enzymes when they eat. So if rocks are sitting in the gut the stomach is producing acids trying to dissolve to make it ready for transport to the small intestine. From there the pancreas and liver excrete enzymes/bile - the pancreas also regulates insulin...I think there could also be some kind of toxin introduced via the ingestion of something - possibly lead - this could have a direct effect on the neuro system and megaE causing the regurgitation and fluid in the lungs. This constant excretion of enzymes can cause the auto digestion of the internal organs and stomach. You may want to get to another vet.

I think the vet should have forced evacuation of the stomach contents.
 
#17 ·
Any news?

It sounds like the pup is poisoned and that is what is causing the liver numbers to be bad, but I am not a vet. Definite emergency situation, and I hope your dog pulls through, but I am really concerned with the cause of the obstruction and possibly poisoning being still in the stomach.
 
#18 ·
Wow! thank you all so much for the support.. it really helps.. =)

I just picked him up from night time emergency and took him to the day time vet. He didn't have any seizures overnight which is good.. I think he was pretty heavily medicated though.

The test results I'm waiting for is the blood work to determine whether or not he has a shunt.

I spoke to the vet about trying to induce vomiting but they are saying that he is currently too out of it and too unstable to try.

I hopefully get the shunt test results in the next couple hours..

I'll keep you all posted. Thanks again.
Nick
 
#19 ·
They have ruled out a liver shunt and they have spoken to 2 specialists who are now saying check for lead poisoning, neospora, coccidiosis (I think that's what they said) and one other thing.

The problem is that they take 7-10 working days for the results to come back and I am currently paying $600-$900 dollars a day to keep him monitored at the vet. I just can't afford to keep paying that each day. I have spent over $3000 in the last 2 days..

I just don't know what to do. I just want my puppy back.


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#27 · (Edited)
They have ruled out a liver shunt and they have spoken to 2 specialists who are now saying check for lead poisoning, neospora, coccidiosis (I think that's what they said) and one other thing.

The problem is that they take 7-10 working days for the results to come back and I am currently paying $600-$900 dollars a day to keep him monitored at the vet. I just can't afford to keep paying that each day. I have spent over $3000 in the last 2 days..

I just don't know what to do. I just want my puppy back.


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I am getting very suspicious of your vet.

The dog appeared to have some type of poisoning. So bloodwork was indicated. That can run 3-400$. Fluids and hospitalization, so they can monitor your dog should not cost $600 to $900 dollars per day, I think that is way high. You have spent $3k in two days with no surgery, nor does it seem that you are satisfied with the puppy's diagnosis or prognosis.

Am I all wet folks, or does this seem outrageous?

Is there any chance you might be able to get your pup to a different vet for a second opinion sort to fo thing.

If your pup is in the hospital over Thanksgiving, they are going to give you a higher fee for hospitalization over a holiday.
 
#20 · (Edited)
What is the prognosis. Do they feel confident that if they find a problem he will be well?

Was he just vaccinated? What ones, 7 in 1? 5 in 1? anything else - flea/heartworm prevention.
Ask the vet or breeder for the vaccine info - manufacter, lot # ~ this could be a vaccine reaction...they do not always happen within hrs.

Is he still out of it and what are they doing about the stomach contents. Did they x-ray to see if they can induce vimiting or are waiting to see?

Need to look neospora prevelence in your area.

Coccidiosis ~ this shouldn't take 7-10 days
Symptoms in young dogs are universal: at some point around 2–3 months of age, an infected dog develops persistently loose stools. This diarrhea proceeds to stool containing liquid, thick mucus, and light colored fecal matter. As the infection progresses, spots of blood may become apparent in the stool, and sudden bowel movements may surprise both dog and owner alike. Other symptoms may include poor appetite, vomiting, dehydration, and sometimes death.
Treatment is extremely effective and routine, but may be expensive for some dog owners. A veterinarian can easily diagnose the disease through low-powered microscopic examination of an affected dog's feces, which usually will be replete with oocysts. One of many easily administered and inexpensive drugs will be prescribed, and, in the course of just a few days, an infection will be eliminated or perhaps reduced to such a level that the dog's immune system can make its own progress against the infection. Even when an infection has progressed sufficiently that blood is present in feces, permanent damage to the gastrointestinal system is rare, and the dog will most likely make a complete recovery without long-lasting negative effects.
 
#21 ·
I am going to the vet in the next hour and a half to talk about how he will recover if they find something. He has had all vaccinations until 8 weeks. He was due again at 12 weeks I think..

He had been fully wormed but was due at the start of 9 weeks for another dose. The vet gave this to him yesterday.

I will keep you informed.


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#24 ·
I am going to the vet in the next hour and a half to talk about how he will recover if they find something. He has had all vaccinations until 8 weeks. He was due again at 12 weeks I think..

He had been fully wormed but was due at the start of 9 weeks for another dose. The vet gave this to him yesterday.

I will keep you informed.


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Ask the vet "why they would do this" when the dog is in crisis.

Makes no sense, other then to pad the bottom line. Get down to business w/them as to what is acceptable...and find out about the stomach contents
 
#22 ·
Good luck. I hope he's going to get better.

Ask your vets about possible vaccine reaction...did you get him at 8 weeks vax. done, or did you have done. wondering if there may have been a reaction and the breeder didn't tell you...not to say you have a bad breeder, just putting out possibilites
 
#25 ·
I was thinking poisoning also -- would a dosage of activated charcoal have been of any help? (ask the vet)--

want to give you some other ideas to ask about the treatment of your pup , not being morbid .
" He was frothing at the mouth and his heart was racing. ......
They said he had fluid in his lungs but were not sure why.."

so if I could ask , when you bought the pup did he come with a vet inspection either from the breeder or your initiative? Did anyone check for heart problems , check to see if the dog had megasophagus , or cleft palate ?

Is there a possibility that the dog had a heart problem?? got into some misadventure , chewed a cord and shocked himself , aspirated a toy or kibble into the lungs. Instead of looking at the liver (which can regenerate) I am looking at why the lungs would be filled with fluid and what was done about this -- you don't want to have pneumonia to complicate things. Sounds a bit like cardiomyopathy that my boxer owning friends experienced .
 
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