Chanel's Special Story

1/8/2012

This is Chanel, she is a six month old little yorkie that has a Liver Shunt. Today, January 5, 2012, she will have her scintigraphy so that they can locate where the shunt is and then tomorrow she will have the ameroid constrictor put in and it will slowly close over the course of the next few months and Chanel's liver will start flowing blood the way it is supposed to and she will have a happy normal life again and will be ready for placement in her forever home. This surgery ranges from $1800 - $2000 and requires an additional Bile Acids test three months after surgery. Our liver shunt fund is at an all time low and we would appreciate your support and a donation large or small to help us to continue to save some of these adorable little yorkies.

A liver shunt, or a portosystemic shunt, is a normal fetal blood vessel that in the womb bypasses liver tissue, allowing the mother’s system to filter out toxins for the developing baby. In some animals, however, the shunt remains open after the animal is born, compromising its liver function, slowing growth, and eventually resulting in death of many affected animals. Congenital portosystemic shunts may be repaired with traditional surgical approaches, but a technique developed at the University of Tennessee several years ago implants an ameroid constrictor, a tiny C-shaped piece of metal ring. The constrictor fits around the shunt, causing it to slowly shut down over several weeks. Dogs receiving this method of surgical repair generally have a shorter surgery and fewer postoperative complications than traditional methods.

You may donate money here to help replenish funds for future Surgeries:

or mail a check to:

Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue, Inc.
Livershunt Fund
c/o Mary Elizabeth Dugmore
1065 Lewis Road
Chapmansboro, TN 37035

We appreciate any help you can offer so that we can continue helping these little dogs!

Thank you so much for your donations!

Carlyn Clement Mary Elizabeth Dugmore