anyone have any experience with this? You have to try? How difficult was the dog? And what was it? We are in southwestern Ontario, and then very close to the veterinary school in Guelph, which is good, but my little man does not travel well, and our vet told us, without being very specific, it would be very expensive. Any input appreciated.
Ruh-Roh! That’s usually a genetic defect that comes from poor breeding. Did you get this dog from a breeder? If so, you should have a contract that covers inherited defects.
My friend’s friend bought from a backyard breeder and their pup had a liver shunt. Last time we spoke about it, they were $5000 into surgeries and treatments. Don’t know if it worked or not. Sorry!
http://www.canadawestieclub.ca/ is the Westie club of Canada. You might be able to find someone on there to talk to about this further. If he doesn’t travel well, and no one else does surgeries near you (or you can’t afford them), then you can also talk to the folks at the Westie Club about rehoming your dog. When the time is right for another dog, they can also refer you to a good breeder whose dogs don’t carry this defect.
While you can treat your pet, it isn’t very realistic. Basically, the concoction of antibiotics/specific diet/vitamins/minerals/lactulose etc. will help to prevent encephalopathy, but this isn’t a long-term option. I don’t want to speculate on price, but somewhere around $5-7k seems about right for the price at Guelph. Surgery is really the only way to help your pet. I suggest calling around to some local vets and surgeons. They may be less expensive and allow for a shorter trip.
Here is a list of Surgeons in Ontario:
http://www.acvs.org/AnimalOwners/DiplomateDirectory/index.cfm?flShowForm=0
I know Ontario is huge, but I am sure there is at least one near you.