My Little Buddy is sick.... He might not make it=(

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

06/30/2006 01:57:44 PM · #1

Well i just found out My new puppy has a Liver Shunt if you don't know hat it is ( i didnt know) look here.(Warning) this may be kinda graphic some images)Liver Shunts

well its going to cost to much money and i think i might have to let him go... i just found out today. he is about 5 months old. the Vet said that if the shunt is on the out side of the liver it can be fixed and might not cost as much. But if it runs threw it then i will probably have to go to a spicaltist wich might be thousands. I know i post some stuff before about my puppy but i just wanted to let you guys know...... I hope it is fixable and not to much i dont want to put him to sleep......

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

06/30/2006 01:59:28 PM · #2

Aweeee, Chris. That's really too bad! He's such a cutie! I sure hope he pulls through. Try calling different vets in your area, some will do the work for a lesser fee if they understand your financial situation.

Riponlady

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

06/30/2006 02:09:34 PM · #3

Isn't there a free vet. organisation in the US that will do this for a donation? We have RSPCA and Blue Cross in the UK which would help of a person honestly can't pay the full amount. It is such a shame for the pup to be put down when there is something that could be done to save it.
:(

ShutterPug

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

06/30/2006 02:12:36 PM · #4

awww - very sad. I would call the area vtes and see if they can help you with the cost, or try a local veterinary school.

Ristyz

Apple iPhone 12 Pro

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

06/30/2006 02:18:07 PM · #5

Sorry to hear of your puppy's med issues. That's a bummer. Hopefully it's on the outside and not to tough to get to so you don't have to make a BIG decision. Med care for pets can be so expensive sometimes and makes it hard. You get so attached and you know they depend on you totally for thier wellness. I've shoveled plenty of my dollars to my vet's "dinner table" but I wouldn't have had it any other way.

Olympus 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital ED

06/30/2006 02:21:25 PM · #6

Yeah i know im oing to try and do what i can, but with a baby on the way i dont know.... but he is like family and i really dont want another one( even though i will get one). the breaders said if it is in the Genes then they will give me a new dog.....

annasense

Olympus E-500 EVOLT

06/30/2006 02:47:53 PM · #7

I know what you're going through, Chris. It was 4 years ago that I had to make that tough decision with my Wire Fox Terrier: RUBY

We bought her from someone who said she came from a reputable breeder, but we're pretty sure she was inbred because she had health problems for the entire 4.5 years that she was with me. My parents and I spent thousands of dollars on surgeries and medication and visits... and eventually, there was nothing more I could do.

There is an option, if you are in a position to open up a line of credit... it's called Care Credit, and it's for financing vet bills. I'm sure your veterinarian could give you more info.

I really really hope Grant pulls through. It's a devastating loss...

anmldoc

Olympus E-300 EVOLT

Olympus 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Zuiko Digital Zoom

06/30/2006 03:05:55 PM · #8

I second the care credit option. It can help alot with making vet bills affordable. Sometimes some vets will work out payment arrangements with clients. Please, however, do not take it personally if you find it difficult to find: a) a veterinarian who will lower their prices simply because you ask them too--there are alot of con artists out there and many vets have been conned too many times to continue this sort of thing or b) a general practice veterinarian who may be willing to lower his prices but may not be willing to perform the surgery.

Liver shunts, whether external or internal, are not generally considered an easy surgery. While, an internal shunt is without a doubt much more difficult, an external shunt is still a blood vessel and there are very real risks associated with performing surgery on a blood vessel. Not many general practice veterinarians are always willing to do something like this.

I do hope you are able to take care of your little buddy. I know it's always difficult to face this kind of decision and circumstance. I would make another general observation though: he is young and liver shunts are very commonly quite successful--to the point that he can live a very happy and healthy life. If you take the price of this surgery and spread it out over his life is he worth it?

If you do end up having the surgery done, consider getting pet insurance after this. For those people who have pets that seem to constantly end up in the hospital or for those owners who have little money for veterinary care, pet insurance can be a huge help.

And lastly, in a young puppy, liver shunts are considered congenital--meaning that he developed this way. There is little data out there to date to prove consistent genetics in every case, but regardless it is unlikely that he didn't have this shunt when you got him (ie he was born with it).

If this doesn't help you can disregard the post.

edit to make sure it's clear that I'm not calling you a con artist in any way, shape or form. and I agree with a later poster that this is in no way your fault and there is nothing you could have done to prevent it.

Message edited by author 2006-06-30 19:22:40.

klstover

Panasonic DMC-FZ8

06/30/2006 03:15:14 PM · #9

Aww, good luck.

Whatever happens, don't let yourself feel guilty. If you have to have him put to sleep, it is not your fault.

JOHNBOY1970

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro for Canon

06/30/2006 03:17:44 PM · #10

I will donate $20, and challenge other members to do the same. If you have paypal post the address. Folks let's make a difference!

Message edited by author 2006-06-30 19:18:02.

robshookphoto

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM

06/30/2006 03:30:57 PM · #11

that's too bad.
But... my parents are vets and have done external shunts, and they send internal ones to a nearby specialist, and most of the animals make it. The vet usually knows after examining it whether or not there will be complications, so...
Good luck

Message edited by author 2006-06-30 19:31:14.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

06/30/2006 05:25:54 PM · #12

Originally posted by anmldoc:

And lastly, in a young puppy, liver shunts are considered congenital--meaning that he developed this way. There is little data out there to date to prove consistent genetics in every case, but regardless it is unlikely that he didn't have this shunt when you got him (ie he was born with it).

Ok i was wondering anout this.... so the breader should of known this right? or are you tring to say this is not a Blood line thing that it can not be passed down?? this is what i want to know..... i just want to be sure if i do put him down then i can have another.... i really like Boxers and i have waited a very long time to get one and this is what happens... but its life i guess....=)

alfresco

Nikon D700

06/30/2006 05:26:44 PM · #13

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

06/30/2006 05:30:25 PM · #14

Originally posted by JOHNBOY1970:

I will donate $20, and challenge other members to do the same. If you have paypal post the address. Folks let's make a difference!

I really thank you for your offer.... this is something i was Not hopping for was money.... but if you feel like it is something you want to do then that is fine.... i am not looking for money. I was just sharing....i feel better when i write things down=) BUT i just want to get across im not asking for any money. Im just not wanting to loose the dog. i thank you for your help and ideas that is as good as $$ to me=)

wavelength

Nikon D300

06/30/2006 05:35:35 PM · #15

Hey Chris. I'll be prayin for him. Sorry to hear the bad news, and I hope it all comes out okay.

anmldoc

Olympus E-300 EVOLT

Olympus 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Zuiko Digital Zoom

06/30/2006 08:05:07 PM · #16

Chris
I think the big thing with regards to genetics is this--no one knows for sure if it is something that is passed down genetically from mom or dad. In some breeds there is some evidence for a possible genetic ability for mom or dad to pass it down, but not in every breed. What it is though is congenital--which means he was born with it. It would be something that he developed while in the uterus due to a developmental defect (like an environmental or nutritional stimulus or something like that). This may or may not have a true and absolute genetic component, but no one knows that part.

Does that make sense? The only other type of liver shunt is one that dog's get when their liver begins to shut down--but he'd have to have end stage liver disease for that...and unless he's an alcoholic or has a major degerative or toxic effect in his liver this shouldn't be going on for him (most dogs with an acquired shunt are generally geriatric).

Let me know if you have more questions.
Eric

07/02/2006 02:59:06 PM · #17

Originally posted by mo5988:

I sent you a PM.

I really thank you guys alot for all the concerns. just an update i take him in tomorrow for some more testing. He went threw a 12 point blood test. the vet said there is now sign of infection, but his blood is a little thin.

I have had some people say ( that have owned boxers) that it could be Coxcitius(major SP error) i dont know how to spell it, and some of the side effect are simmilar to what he is going threw. if this is the case he will just need like one shot and he will be fine and back to Norm the next day.

Well some other news is that he has some bad baby teeth that did not fall out so this is probably causing pain for him not to eat hard food.
well this is my update thanks again. Oh yeah i have some new pictures of him ill post tomorrow =)

Thanks Chris

07/03/2006 07:21:41 AM · #18

Some pictures i took this weekend.....Today he is at the Vet for half the day for some more test.......

My favorit =)