If anyone has insight on this could you please let me know?
My in-laws purchased a Shih about a year ago. When I groomed her for the first time I noticed her lower ribcage felt like it had some deformity. The ribcage feels as though it is missing a few bones, is shortened, and the bones do not extend down and around underneath her chest like they should. The vet mentioned something about incomplete closure and I have no idea how/if this could affect the liver. Liver shunt crossed my mind but I have no experience with this.
They have been having issues with very elevated liver enzymes and have been changing her diet, giving her meds and worrying themselves to death. They have been obsessing over her diet, cooking for her and trying different diets to help bring down the liver levels. This dog is like their child.
The dog was purchased form a BYB after I tried to lead them to a reputable breeder. I even told them I personally knew a reputable breeder of chocolate Shihs, and there was another show breeder near them with quality dogs that their good friend bought a very nice dog from. They were convinced that this was a good breeder because "she selected the parents for their chocolate noses." It was clearly a case of impulsive buying and immediate gratification since they found the dog in an online classified and went right away to purchase it. In the meantime, they have spent thousands on this young dog and refuse to notify the breeder because they feel bad. Aaaaarg. THIS is why so many of us feel like we are banging our heads against a wall when we try to educate people!
I do not understand why the vets cannot find out what is causing the elevated enzymes and would appreciate any experience of info anyone could give me here to help them. Years ago I remember hearing something about a congenital liver issue in this breed, but i could not find anything through Google.
I am trying to get them to switch to a natural diet and see a holistic vet, we shall see...
My in-laws purchased a Shih about a year ago. When I groomed her for the first time I noticed her lower ribcage felt like it had some deformity. The ribcage feels as though it is missing a few bones, is shortened, and the bones do not extend down and around underneath her chest like they should. The vet mentioned something about incomplete closure and I have no idea how/if this could affect the liver. Liver shunt crossed my mind but I have no experience with this.
They have been having issues with very elevated liver enzymes and have been changing her diet, giving her meds and worrying themselves to death. They have been obsessing over her diet, cooking for her and trying different diets to help bring down the liver levels. This dog is like their child.
The dog was purchased form a BYB after I tried to lead them to a reputable breeder. I even told them I personally knew a reputable breeder of chocolate Shihs, and there was another show breeder near them with quality dogs that their good friend bought a very nice dog from. They were convinced that this was a good breeder because "she selected the parents for their chocolate noses." It was clearly a case of impulsive buying and immediate gratification since they found the dog in an online classified and went right away to purchase it. In the meantime, they have spent thousands on this young dog and refuse to notify the breeder because they feel bad. Aaaaarg. THIS is why so many of us feel like we are banging our heads against a wall when we try to educate people!
I do not understand why the vets cannot find out what is causing the elevated enzymes and would appreciate any experience of info anyone could give me here to help them. Years ago I remember hearing something about a congenital liver issue in this breed, but i could not find anything through Google.
I am trying to get them to switch to a natural diet and see a holistic vet, we shall see...
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