Fawnzy's Liver Shunt Operation PLEASE HELP

<a href="http://s697.photobucket.com/albums/vv334/LadyWanderer/?action=view&current=Fawnzy2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/vv334/LadyWanderer/Fawnzy2.jpg" border="0" alt="Deb Ludiker's Fawnzy"></a>

The chip in wouldn't let me add a photo so here is the link to his photos. Thanks.

<a href="http://s697.photobucket.com/albums/vv334/LadyWanderer/?action=view&current=Fawnzysmile.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/vv334/LadyWanderer/Fawnzysmile.jpg" border="0" alt="Deb Ludiker's Fawnzy"></a>

Our Fawnzy is a 2 1/2 year old Pug needing surgery for a Liver Shunt. I knew our Fawnzy wasn't "normal" when I agreed to take him, but wasn't aware of the shunt. He was doing good until the last year when I knew we were losing the battle.

This doesn't have to be a death sentence for Fawnzy. His is an outside shunt and repairable. It is a vessel that runs past his liver meaning that his liver does not filter out the toxins and they go directly into his bloodstream. Without the surgery his chances are not good.

The vet said he would not be treatable medicinally for long with the high bile acid numbers he has. The meds are making him feel better temperarily. Fawnzy has two antibiotics, Lactulose, and Denamarin. He began a low dose of phenobarb because the vet doing the surgery wants him on it a week before the surgery. Dr. Lawrence (Board Certified) has had some smooshed faced dogs have seizures during recovery. He is hoping to head that off at the pass with the phenobarb.



The Surgery will be approximately $1,700. This kind of surgery usually runs from $2,300 to $3,000 !!!



Fawnz will have a pretty good sized incision from stem to stern. Apparently they do the bile acid test once a month for the first few months too, so they can tell if the constrictor is working and how his liver is taking on the extra work. I'm hoping we can have that and the follow up care done at our regular vet's office in Post Falls.

We live in Idaho and have to go to Spokane to the Veterinary Surgical Specialists. It is 2 to 2 1/2 hours drive. There will be several trips (over 100+ miles each way).

PLUS there will be costs of followup tests they will have to do to make sure his surgery is working, special foods, more meds.

We need help to help Fawnzy. He will have a chance" of a normal life after the surgery.



Deb L.