Help! Liver Shunt food recommendations

Maggmurrie · Mar 9, 2017

Hey, my little guy is four months old and has been having a lot of health problems. He is currently failing to thrive and test results came back today that said it is most likely a liver shunt. The vet says it is not as severe as it could be and would like to try to treat it with a change of diet. I currently feed a grain free diet, and the vet is pushing a low protein version of Science Diet. I feel like many vets push Science Diet, but is it really what's best for him?

Maggmurrie · Mar 9, 2017

I also want to add that he is so sick I am incredibly conflicted on what to do. He is currently on grandma Lucy's and blue Buffalos grain free puppy formula. Because of his condition he has only gained one pound in the past month, and has lost muscle mass too. He looks like skin and bones.

Cbrugs · Mar 9, 2017

Sorry to hear your baby is not doing well. I have no experience or idea what liver shunt is but I do know that Science Diet is crap and your dog definitely will not thrive on it. Have you or would you consider a raw diet?

WeeDex · Mar 9, 2017

Is this some form of liver disease / damage? I'm afraid I haven't heard of it either but would be interested to know. Hopefully someone with experience in this will be along soon.

I guess your food choice with liver issues will be very important..... Dexter had raised liver enzymes at one point, and we were told to add eggs and cottage cheese into his diet. He was already raw fed. It helped return them to normal.

I would certainly avoid the vet food if you can. As cbrugs said above, it's really not good stuff, and if at all possible you don't want your Frenchie to be on it. I completely understand the conflict you face though. I have a dog than can barely eat anything without reacting, and sometimes it feels like it's the only way. I'd speak to a raw feeding expert and see if they can help you out first. Good luck with it.

Alice Kable · Mar 9, 2017

I have no experience with this condition but if lowering the protein % in the food will help him see if you can try Canidae, it has less protein than most.

Maggmurrie · Mar 10, 2017

Hey, yes several of the ingredients in Science Diet make me very uncomfortable with feeding it to him. He has been so sick I'm scared to take chances though. A liver shunt essentially means that all of his blood is not being sent through the liver, so there is a build up of toxins in the body, and he is unable to properly absorb the nutrients from his food. I would consider a raw diet, though I've never tried it, so do not know where to begin.

Maggmurrie · Mar 10, 2017

Thank you guys for all of the input!

Cbrugs · Mar 10, 2017

Maggmurrie said:
Hey, yes several of the ingredients in Science Diet make me very uncomfortable with feeding it to him. He has been so sick I'm scared to take chances though. A liver shunt essentially means that all of his blood is not being sent through the liver, so there is a build up of toxins in the body, and he is unable to properly absorb the nutrients from his food. I would consider a raw diet, though I've never tried it, so do not know where to begin.

A raw diet can be quite simple! I feed Jax raw and I use the brand Vital Essentials. It is already balanced with the appropriate meat/organ/bone ratio so all you have to do is thaw and serve! I'm not sure where you are located but depending on where you live, there are also places online where you can order from. Some can be expensive in shipping but if you are close to one, it would't be as expensive. Raw Feeding Miami, Reelraw and Darwins are a few. Then there is Vital Essentials and other commercial brands that are in some pet stores (but not ones like Petco or Petsmart).

Honeys Owners · Mar 10, 2017

Denamarin supplement contains SAMe and milk thistle and is supposed to be good in liver disease.

turbodave · Mar 10, 2017

Our Bitty is also on Denamarin to keep her going. That and weekly injections of Lactated Ringers. We almost lost her to whatever attacked for liver. But she's doing much better now with the Denamarin and injections. Her liver enzymes are down to only twice normal instead of more than 20 times normal.

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