Yorkshire Terrier Liver Shunt – Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

Yorkshire Terriers are one of the most popular small dog breeds. They are known for their big personalities, long silky coats, and cute appearance. However, Yorkshire Terriers can suffer from some serious health conditions, including a devastating disorder called a liver shunt. In this article we talk about Yorkshire Terrier Liver Shunt Awareness.

A liver shunt, also known as a portosystemic shunt, is an abnormal blood flow between the liver and the rest of the body. Essentially, blood bypasses the liver rather than going through it to be detoxified. This results in a dangerous buildup of toxins in the bloodstream which can lead to serious health complications. Yorkshire Terriers are among dog breeds that are predisposed to this disorder.

Raising awareness of liver shunts in Yorkies is so important for the health and wellbeing of the breed. As a pet owner, it’s vital to understand the signs, symptoms, causes, and treatment options for this condition. With prompt veterinary care and proper management, many dogs can go on to live happy lives despite having a shunt.

What Causes Liver Shunts in Yorkshire Terriers

Yorkshire Terriers inherit liver shunts as a genetic disorder. Essentially, the abnormal blood vessels that bypass the liver fail to close during fetal development.

Shunts can be categorized as either intrahepatic (inside the liver) or extrahepatic (outside the liver). Extrahepatic shunts are the primary type seen in Yorkies. With this disorder, blood flow completely avoids the liver rather than just a portion of it.

The problem arises because the liver plays such a vital role in nutrient processing, waste removal, toxin filtration, and other metabolic functions. When blood flow is redirected, the liver cannot properly filter out toxins as it should.

Toxins then accumulate to dangerous levels which makes dogs very ill. It also prevents proper development and functioning of organs like the liver.

Symptoms of Liver Shunts in Yorkshire Terriers

Liver shunts in Yorkshire Terriers can cause a wide array of clinical signs. Symptoms may appear at any age, but most commonly develop when a puppy is between 4 months to 2 years old.

Some of the most common symptoms of a shunt Yorkshire Terrier include:

• Stunted growth
• Increased urination and thirst
• Lethargy, weakness
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Ascites (fluid buildup in abdomen)
• Neurological issues like seizures, head pressing, aimless wandering
• Poor muscle development

The severity of symptoms depends on factors like how much blood flow is bypassing the liver. Dogs with complete shunts often show symptoms earlier than those will partial shunts.

Many shunt dogs also have secondary nutritional deficiencies because their liver cannot properly process nutrients from food. Deficiencies in proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals cause an array of other health problems.

Without treatment, liver shunts can be fatal. Ammonia and other neurotoxins accumulate to levels that can cause brain damage. Dogs can also develop problems like hepatic encephalopathy, a life-threatening neurological condition. Prompt diagnosis and treatment is essential for any shunt dog.

Diagnosing Liver Shunts in Yorkshire Terriers

Diagnosing a liver shunt requires a veterinary workup to check liver function and look for clinical signs. Diagnostic tests may include:

• Physical examination, including palpation of the abdomen
• Complete blood count
• Biochemical profile to evaluate liver enzymes
• Urinalysis
• Bile acids test
• Radiographs (x-rays)
• Ultrasound
• CT scan
• Liver biopsy

Of these diagnostic tests, a bile acid test is one of the most reliable for confirming a shunt. Dogs fast for 12 hours, then a blood sample is taken to measure bile acid concentrations before and after eating.

Significantly increased bile acids indicate improper bile flow, which points to a strong likelihood of a shunt being present. An ultrasound of the liver can also visually identify shunt vessels.

Treating Liver Shunts in Yorkshire Terriers

The goal of liver shunt treatment is to restore normal blood flow into the liver. This facilitates improved liver function and helps resolve many clinical signs.

Treatment options include:

Medical Management

Dogs who are poor surgical candidates can be managed medically through special diets and medications. Prescription dog foods are highly digestible with restricted proteins to reduce toxin production.

Lactulose syrup helps promote ammonia excretion. Antibiotics like metronidazole or neomycin may also be used to reduce bacteria production in intestines. Medications can help control complications like urinary issues and neurological problems.

Surgical Repair

Surgically closing the shunt vessel is the most effective treatment. This restores hepatic portal blood flow to the liver. However, surgery can be risky and is not appropriate for some dogs.

Veterinary specialists use imaging guidance to insert a wire coil or other device into the shunt vessel. This blocks abnormal flow and directs blood into liver pathways. Intrahepatic shunts are often more difficult to fully close than extrahepatic shunts.

After surgery, dogs require extensive aftercare including intravenous fluids, urinary catheterization, close monitoring of vital signs, medications, and lab tests. Strict dietary management must continue lifelong post-surgery.

What is the Prognosis for Yorkshire Terriers with Liver Shunts?

The long-term prognosis for shunt Yorkies varies considerably based on factors like:

• Severity of clinical signs
• Type of shunt
• Surgical success
• Owner diligence with aftercare and dietary management

With aggressive medical care or surgery plus a specialized low-protein diet, many dogs have an excellent prognosis. They can manage their condition and live a relatively normal lifespan.

However, severity of symptoms plays a major role. Dogs with advanced neurological impairment or multiple affected organs often have a guarded prognosis even with treatment.

It’s also important to note that liver shunts cannot be cured completely. Even with surgery, abnormal vessels may never fully close. Lifelong dietary management is imperative to limit toxin production. Owners must commit to specialized veterinary care and strict lifestyle adjustments.

Caring for a Yorkshire Terrier with a Liver Shunt

Caring for a Yorkie with this serious disorder is a major commitment. Owners must partner closely with a veterinary healthcare team to provide extensive at-home care for shunt dogs including:

• Administering all medications as directed
• Preparing and strictly feeding the prescribed therapeutic diet
• Monitoring urine output
• Tracking symptoms and staying alert to clinical changes
• Ensuring activity and exercise restrictions are followed
• Attending frequent veterinary follow-up appointments which may include blood tests

With diligent home care and veterinary guidance, many shunt Yorkies can achieve good quality of life and normal longevity. But owners do carry a heavy responsibility to manage this challenging, lifelong condition.

Support Groups for Liver Shunt Dogs

One of the best resources available for owners of dogs with liver shunts are support groups. Connecting with others navigating this disorder provides community, advice, hope and resources.

Two excellent Yahoo Groups exist specifically for owners of dogs with liver shunts:

• LiverShuntDogs
• Liver_Shunt_And_MVD_Support

These active groups have thousands of members and over a decade of archived conversations. Owners frequently join to ask questions, share their dog’s journey, provide encouragement, and learn how other families manage this condition.

Raising Awareness of Liver Shunts in Yorkshire Terriers

Bringing greater awareness to liver shunts in breeds like Yorkshire Terriers is so vital for their health. Sharing accurate information helps other pet owners better understand this disorder.

Watching for early symptoms, getting prompt veterinary guidance, and committing to appropriate treatment gives dogs their best chance. While liver shunts cannot yet be prevented due to their genetic nature, improved understanding of the condition can greatly improve outcomes. I sincerely hope you find this “Yorkshire Terrier Liver Shunt Awareness-Symptoms and Treatment” article helpful.