laurieh
Newbie
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| 05/02/2007 12:49 AM |
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I'm new to this, but desperate for help, so please bear with me.
My RT's favorite chew toy is a 10 month old Min Pin/Chi male. Chew toy got into some sugar free gum a few weeks ago and began having seizures. (I found the gum wrappers when we got home from the veterinarian.) The vet is thinking porto-systemic shunt, but says his lab numbers are not "classic" for PSS. I know xylitol can cause seizures and liver damage, but the vet wants more (expensive) tests to rule out PSS. He has no other symptoms of PSS.
I'm trying to find info on xylitol poisoning. I find both extremes - seizures on one end, and liver damage resulting in death on the other - but nothing in the middle. Is there a chance that he has mild liver damage that he could recover from? That's what I'm hoping.......
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Katie'sMom
Newbie
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| 05/02/2007 5:12 AM |
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| Wow! I'm clueless. If you have faith in your vet, I would go with his suggestions -- if you are not sure, get another opinion. Are you near any Veterinary Schools of Medicine? They have the best and latest. We had a Lab we sent to Auburn for radiation therapy for cancer and she survived 4 additional years. I was so impressed. Good luck and please keep us updated. We all love doggies -- of any breed. We will keep "Chew Toy" in our prayers. Please let us know what you find out. |
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Mitzy's Mom
PAWesome
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| 05/02/2007 6:56 AM |
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I knew xylitol was toxic to dogs but that's about it. One reason I always keep my purse out of reach of the dogs - I chew a lot of sugar free gum.
Don't anything about the PSS....maybe a second opinion wouldn't hurt? Hope you get some answers soon. |
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Mary Beth, mom to the Lollipop Kids
Georgia Foster Mom, New Rattitude
Check out our ratties at www.newrattitude.org |
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swatson6
Attention Starved
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| 05/02/2007 7:21 AM |
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| Not sure about Xylitol but Jack was tested for a PSS. AL you need for that is a urine sample for bile acids....ran me $68. If positive then it is 100 percent a liver issue, if not then it does not necessarily rule it out but is good at diagnosing about 85-90 percent of cases. I would assume that if the xylitol caused liver damage that in turn was causeing seizures then you would DEFINATELY see it in the lab values, as the liver would not be functioning properly. Toy breeds are notorious for liver shunts, so I would not discount it just because of the gum.....ALTHOUGH I would expect symptoms to show up sooner, but if a mild PSS then maybe not? Hope this helps at least a little.....check into a urine acid bile test then go from there.....if the tests are too expensive and liver ruled out, you can always try anti-seizure meds. A second opinion never hurt anyone either!! Good Luck. |
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Sarah
Mom to Jack, Jeter and foster mom to Teagan
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Mitzy's Mom
PAWesome
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| 05/02/2007 7:24 AM |
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| Sarah - it's SOOOO nice to have a medical person "on staff" here!!!! Thanks for your explanation. |
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Mary Beth, mom to the Lollipop Kids
Georgia Foster Mom, New Rattitude
Check out our ratties at www.newrattitude.org |
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swatson6
Attention Starved
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| 05/02/2007 7:30 AM |
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  I've just been there done that with Jack!! |
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Sarah
Mom to Jack, Jeter and foster mom to Teagan
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Katie'sMom
Newbie
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| 05/02/2007 7:51 AM |
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| Wow Sarah! I'm impressed. MB is right -- it's great to have your knowledge! |
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laurieh
Newbie
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| 05/02/2007 10:04 AM |
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I'm on the west coast, so I just got online. Thanks for the responses.
We ran a complete blood panel - including serum bile acids - with other tests. Two days in the hospital. It cost $400. Now they want to do an ultrasound and then a scintography (sp?). That'll be another $200-500. THEN maybe surgery. This is on the heels of our big dog needing emergency surgery ($1600 - but she's ok now).
The meds and special diet seemed to be working, and Chew Toy hadn't had a seizure in 12 days. But he had one at 5:30 this morning. A bad one. He can't have valium or phenobarb because of the slight elevation in his liver values. It's just heartbreaking................ |
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JenMax
Firehouse Big Dog
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| 05/02/2007 10:15 AM |
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Welcome to the forum.
Poor baby! I feel bad for your little guy
Were the bile acids normal? What was his ALT? How old is he?
Our Max has an elevated liver enzyme ALT level but he doesn't have many seizures so we have been lucky. He eats fine, etc. He is older (7? perhaps- was a rescue). We did not have any ultrasounds or anything done because he has sep anxiety and needs to be with us all of the time. It would be too hard on him.
Hopefully the diet will help.
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Jenny - Max's sister
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swatson6
Attention Starved
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| 05/02/2007 11:15 AM |
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| Along withh what Jenny said, have you explained to the vet your $ concerns?? Most vets will work with ou understanding people don't have neverending pockets. There are ways to keep the costs down without doing the really expensive tests. If diet is helping then it does go in line with a shunt. Again, if the vet is not really working with you I would look into a second opinion. JMO. Good Luck.....do you have pics?? : ) |
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Sarah
Mom to Jack, Jeter and foster mom to Teagan
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laurieh
Newbie
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| 05/02/2007 12:30 PM |
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I'm definitely considering a second opinion....
Bile acids were a little high, I don't have the other numbers. The vet has been wonderful, finding excuses NOT to charge us for stuff. We thought the diet was working, until this morning's seizure. Now we're not so sure.
I'll get pics of all 3 furbabies up this evening, when I get home. |
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swatson6
Attention Starved
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| 05/02/2007 1:34 PM |
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| Bile acids up, seizures, fairly diet controlled.....really sounds like a shunt to me and from what I understand medical management only goes so far. Surgery really is the only option to fix the shunt. Again as far as the xylitol, only your vet can be sure but the #'s were pretty good so if that is the case the liver is probably functioning properly, Keep us posted!!!!! |
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Sarah
Mom to Jack, Jeter and foster mom to Teagan
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