Dooley still challenged

[DChap]

Thank you for the explanation. At least you know what you're dealing with and it seems he's doing ok with the meds? I will keep praying for him and for your strength in all this. Interested to know how you will adapt his diet to get him enough protein safely. Maybe add some supplements to help his liver? I know it's emotionally difficult when our pets have issues. We all want to be the perfect fur baby parents and hate to see them suffer thinking we should have done differently. But you're doing your best and Dooley will get through this and continue savandalizing I pray.

 

[John Popp]

Thanks Della!

While the symptoms parallel liver disease, the liver isn't the issue. The shunt is actually the blood bypassing the liver. Not all the blood, but a portion of it and with surgery they restrict the flow of blood through the shunt diverting it back to the liver.

Here's a diagram that does a better job of explaining things than I can.

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For dogs this isn't a real complicated surgery with a good prognosis. Cats on the other hand don't fair as well which is why they want the seizure medicine in their system for several weeks.

Still hoping we can treat this medically and for the time being Dooley is doing pretty well with his current program.

 

[DChap]

Great diagram! I'm so glad he's responding well to treatment

 

[admin]

Glad Dooley is doing better on meds and at your sisters... Actually with the newer surgery for liver shunts, cats do pretty well...hoping Dooley will stay status quo on meds until he needs surgery


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[Rafiki]

Thanks for the explanation of the liver shunt. I hope that Dooley is on the mend and that he has no further acute episodes.

 

[John Popp]

Actually with the newer surgery for liver shunts, cats do pretty well.

Thanks Paige! Can you point me in a direction where I can learn about the newer surgery ahead of Dooley's follow up appointment? I've read a ton of stuff thus far but only one article which suggested something newer, a piece that restricts the blood flow more over time but it was from 2006.

Let me know!

Thanks!

 

[Patti]

I'm glad that you are finally getting to the bottom of Dooley's issues, but wish it was something easier to deal with! Good to hear that he is doing well though, fingers crossed that he continues to do so!

 

[John Popp]

Dooley continues to do OK on his meds. He's had some power sessions on his cat wheel and is starting to be a little less grumpy with his meds and food. On his cat wheel, I've noticed that he actually will wrap his paws around the outside the first couple strides to really get it going before running on the pads. Crazy!

Fortunately my sister is back home so I can get a break and catch up on some sleep. I am really beat down and will be heading overseas for business on Sunday. Just glad there's a program in place and he's stable.

Also still trying to learn about the surgery and what it entails. Found an old article with a "new" procedure but not sure if it's actually in play. Also checked out the Cornell website, and not much there either.

In all, I guess lots of this will be determined when the follow up occurs and we have a plan. As there are limits as to how much the shunt can be constrained it seems there are a number of cases where the surgery needs performed twice as to not place to much strain on the primary artery with the increase blood flow.

Again, anyone that can provide extra data, I'd love to study up so I have an understanding when I visit the vet a few weeks from now.

 

[Patti]

Sounds like Dooley is a speed freak and really likes to get that wheel spinning!

As for the surgery, I think your best bet would be to ask the vet specialist/surgeon for resources and more information - they should have the most up-to-date info on the newest techniques, etc.

 

[John Popp]

Thanks Patti! Just want to have as much information as I can before our next visit. I'm not a medical professional so without at least a basis in things it makes it a lot harder to keep up. I'm also going to want a second opinion on things, and while I am confident with the care Dooley is under, he has not yet been referred to a surgeon. There are 5 surgeons there, as well as 2 residents so not sure how things gets assigned as I'm sure they all have their areas of specialty.