Overnight Vet Stay..

[KateB]

So Monday afternoon I had to rush Charlie to the vet after he suddenly started vomiting like crazy, he got sick 6 times in 30 minutes and by the 7th he was just heaving. They checked him out and found he had a high fever (40.1 C / 104.2 F) and had to put him on an IV, do x-rays, blood tests, the works. I was a total mess all day! He stayed overnight for observation & most of Tuesday. They couldn't find any obvious blockage on the x-ray but some small white dots in his bowels, but his stool was backed up all the way to his stomach. The blood tests all came back normal except he was dehydrated so his RBC was high, and his ALT was high (normal range is 5-60 and his was 89). ALT is an enzyme in the liver, so they said hopefully he just gotten into something he shouldn't have and thats why it would be raised. But we have to go back in 2 months and go another blood test just for his ALT and if its still raised we may have liver disease
I feel so bad for the poor little guy, but he's back to normal today, which is great, and we're watching him like a hawk to make sure he doesn't get into anything.
Also last night I hurt my knee playing soccer and ended up in the hospital myself now I can't walk and he has to entertain himself all day.. Not a good start to the week!

[Auburn9]

I am so sorry for both of you, hope you both get a clean bill of health soon.  Hugs and kisses from Ava from Charlie and a big hug for you. How old is Charlie? 

[mandy15]

That's horrible! I'm so sorry for you. I hope Charlie is going to be alright. And I hope you are too.

[raleysmom]

Awww, wags and kisses to you both!  I hope he continues to feel better and that you do too! 

[Mai Tai]

Glad Charlie is OK.  Mo once had elevated enzymes, but on his next test was fine.  He will probably be ok.  Sorry you got hurt.

[ellietoo]

Does sound like a bad start to the week! Do you know how much Yorkie blood Charlie has? Yorkies have a bad genetic flaw of the liver called liver shunt. With the breed becoming so popular it has become very prevalent. Eating a high protein diet can cause it to flare up. Some have to be on special diets and others need surgery. This problem has also been found in the cross breeds like Shorkies. If he has more problems you might ask your vet to check into it for you. I think there is a blood test and ultra sound can also detect it.

[Mai Tai]

Mo looks almost all yorkie and was so tiny, we suspected liver shunt too, which is why the doctor was testing him, but thank God he was fine.  There are other symptoms to watch for with liver shunt.  They usually get lethargic after a meal, and they tend to push their heads against the floor and walls, and walk in circles. 

[anisenin]

Tiko when neutered had an elevated liver enzyme as well, we are getting retested tomorrow.  So high protein diet may do that, I make his own food, 70% protein, 15 carbs, 15 fruit/veggies, may have to mention this to vet. 

[KateB]

Thanks everyone! Charlie is doing good, he's definitely back to his happy self, and I got some crutches so I can hobble around at least lol
Charlie is 7 months old, he's half yorkie, he's definitely got more of the yorkie build in that he's very scrawny, and his face looks more yorkie like, other than his underbite. We bought some new gastrointestinal food that the vet recommended because of what happened the other day, being so hard on his system, so I'll have to check out what the protein content is on that.
When he gets retested if the results do come back with high ALT levels we considering seeing a nautropathic vet as I've heard some really amazing things about her and I always love taking a more holistic approach to things when possible.
I hope Tiko's test results come back okay too!!

[mandy15]

How's Charlie doing? How did Tikos test results turn out?

[KateB]

So far Charlie has been really good, he's been so restless though as I'm usually the one who walks him as my boyfriend is so busy starting up his own business and I can't take him for walks right now. Yesterday I brought him over to my friend's parents place, they have a 3.5 year old Sheltie named Lexus, and I think Charlie is in love! lol They played and ran around the yard the whole time and when they got tired they would lay on the grass facing each other, paw touching as if they were holding hands and then they would give each other kisses on the nose! It was adorable

[ellietoo]

So far Charlie has been really good, he's been so restless though as I'm usually the one who walks him as my boyfriend is so busy starting up his own business and I can't take him for walks right now. Yesterday I brought him over to my friend's parents place, they have a 3.5 year old Sheltie named Lexus, and I think Charlie is in love! lol They played and ran around the yard the whole time and when they got tired they would lay on the grass facing each other, paw touching as if they were holding hands and then they would give each other kisses on the nose! It was adorable

That sounds so sweet. I know Gracie would love another dog. I am just afraid of not finding the right one for both of us.

[mandy15]

That sounds so sweet. I really do think they play and flirt with each other. I know Angel likes the bigger dogs we have but sometimes yet I wish we had another small one.

[anisenin]

We got the test results on Tiko Friday, and his ahl levels have gone up to 157, 20 points from June 30.  They did a bilastic test yesterday and we should have the results by Thurs.  They are ruling out a Liver Shunt, it could be pancreaitis or hepatitis???  I certainly hope it isn't the liver as surgery really is the only solution as the shunt cannot shut off on its own.  Of course, I feel quilty that I have been making his own food without the knowledge of multi vitamins needed for liver and other organs.  If you believe in doggy prayers, send one up for him.  Thanks

[ellietoo]

Don't feel guilty about what you were feeding. No supplement would effect what a dog was already born with. Liver shunt is a genetic problem. They say a low protein diet is best for these dogs but if you don't know there is nothing you could have done. Sometimes if a dog eats too much fat at one time it can set off the pancreas and make the dog very sick. If it was the pancreas hopefully it can be controlled with diet. I would doubt hepatitis would be the case. It's best to rule out as much as possible so this poor guy does not keep getting sick.
Will say prayers for your little guy.