In early June 2008 we returned home from work one evening to find Leeland acting very strangely. When we called his name he didn't respond at all, just continued staring blankly at the floor. He drooled excessively, something very unusual for a dog who never drools. There was no comfortable position for him to get into. He tried to sit and almost fell over, then tried lay down but popped back up immediately. It was heartbreaking to see him so confused and uncomfortable.
We took him to the emergency animal hospital. They gave him fluids, ran numerous tests. We were told again that there was nothing wrong with him. We were told it was safe to take him home, so we did. When we got back, his behavior worsened. He started walking in circles, completely disoriented. We got right back in the car and admitted him again. We asked that more tests be done, but the doctor said he had examined Leeland and he seemed to be in no physical pain. They didn't even know where to start.
Our regular vet had mentioned a lot of schnauzers with bladder stones recently. I asked that they explore that possibility. The doctor hesitated, saying that if he hadn't had trouble urinating then it seemed unnecessary. I requested it anyway and they took an x-ray of his bladder. They found some very small stones. The stones were tested and turned out to be Ammonium urate calculi stones. This indicated a liver condition.
When the Vet delivered these results to us, he had a grim tone and look on his face. He told us that he now suspected a portosystemic liver shunt. At the time we had no idea what to think. We were glad to have a possible diagnosis but discouraged by what the Vet was saying. A liver shunt may be medically managed, but the only possible cure is a risky surgery.
We took him to the emergency animal hospital. They gave him fluids, ran numerous tests. We were told again that there was nothing wrong with him. We were told it was safe to take him home, so we did. When we got back, his behavior worsened. He started walking in circles, completely disoriented. We got right back in the car and admitted him again. We asked that more tests be done, but the doctor said he had examined Leeland and he seemed to be in no physical pain. They didn't even know where to start.
Our regular vet had mentioned a lot of schnauzers with bladder stones recently. I asked that they explore that possibility. The doctor hesitated, saying that if he hadn't had trouble urinating then it seemed unnecessary. I requested it anyway and they took an x-ray of his bladder. They found some very small stones. The stones were tested and turned out to be Ammonium urate calculi stones. This indicated a liver condition.
When the Vet delivered these results to us, he had a grim tone and look on his face. He told us that he now suspected a portosystemic liver shunt. At the time we had no idea what to think. We were glad to have a possible diagnosis but discouraged by what the Vet was saying. A liver shunt may be medically managed, but the only possible cure is a risky surgery.
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