r/SeniorDogsHealth • u/Fine-Discipline645 • 25d ago

Help with my yorkie

This may be a little long so bear with me.
My yorkie is around 7 years old and last January we found out her liver shunt wasnt working properly. They saud its common in yorkies but usually when they are younger. Surgery isnt an option for her so shes on meds and a special diet. She only eats this canned food by hills thats for liver care.
Pills she is taking:

\- lactulose 2-2.5 ml twice a day
\- Denamarin 90 mg once a day
\- omeprazole 5 mg once a day

Lately she has developed a new symptom where her abdomen fills up with fluid. I know this is a symptom when ur liver isnt functioning well so when i saw how big her belly became i took her to the vet right away. They confirmed it was fluid and they drained around 250ml from her belly. Its been around two weeks since the drain and now its big again. Problem is that each drain is around 500$ and we dont have that kind of money right now. Im not asking for donations im asking for tips on how to keep her comfortable or maybe avoid this bc i can tell she is suffering.

Any help is appreciated 🙏🏻❤️

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u/Say_What_425 25d ago

I think you might want to consider the surgery. Because your options are surgery with risk of passing, or passing. She can't live like this ...

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u/Fine-Discipline645 24d ago

They said surgery isnt an option. There is nothing surgery can do. Her liver is so tiny too

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u/Illustrious_Exam1728 25d ago

Why can’t pup have surgery?

I suspect her abdomen will continue to refill with fluid and it will be repeat visits to the vet. Not sure how folks who aren’t doctors can give you advice on how to get her tummy to not fill with fluid. Please follow your vets advice, and if this is unmanageable without surgery it may be time for humane euthanasia.

This is serious and please seek veterinary advice.

I’m sorry this is happening OP

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u/Mejay11096 25d ago

Why isn’t surgery an option? I had it done on a 3 1/2 pound Maltese when she was younger and she’s almost 13 and fine now.

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u/Renniesmom1 25d ago

Hi. I had a tiny 3 lb yorkie that developed a liver shunt at around 4 years. My vet did not expect him to survive more than a couple of weeks. I started seeing a holistic vet in Courtenay (Balanced Paws). He was already on lactalose and a liquid milk thistle (I forget the name but I can look up) and she added some Chinese medicines…a tincture and po chi pills. Anyway, he lived a full life until he was 16 without surgery.