Liver Shunt, and Constipation

Question
Hello,

We have a Pekingese pup who is in the process of being diagnosed with a liver shunt. We have been going through tons of medication, blood work, x-rays and spending loads of money. We are trying to save up enough money right now to get the operation to correct the shunt, but he is extremely uncomfortable. He wont eat or drink any water, and he doubles over in pain and literally screams. He is on lactulose and Metrozinadol right now (They started it today). For the past three days he has been squatting like he has to have a BM, but nothing comes out and after pushing for a long time he screams and sort of falls over. We took him to the vet today and there were no blockages or anything to prevent him from going, and we aren't really sure what to do. We just need some ideas to make him comfortable and maybe be able to have a BM. We have been force feeding him some mushed up watery canned Hills Prescription L/D food because otherwise he doesn't eat and we are really at our wits end trying to save him. The vet today said he has a lot of gas, and that might be what is giving him more discomfort. So Can we give him Maalox or mylanta or anything to soothe the gas? And do you have any other suggestions for his other problems. We really don't know what to do at this point, and it seems like our vet doesn't really care (mind you we are calling them every day because theres always something bad going on with him right now.) . Its getting a little frustrating and very upsetting.

Answer
Hi Rachael,
Poor little guy, it really sounds like he is miserable. How old is this puppy and how long have you had him?
Liver shunts are not fun things to deal with. He sounds like he is not only in pain but toxic also from the liver not filtering out things.

So of course he doesn't want to eat. Not eating is going to make him not have any BMs. There is nothing in there to pass. When you took him to the vet's today did he tell you what to do for the gas? I don't think Mylanta or Maalox are for gas but more for constipation.

I cannot recommend anything because A. I am not a vet and B. I don't want you to give him something that might be more toxic than normal since his liver isn't working properly. All I can tell you is that the products with simethicone are the ones that get rid of gas. When animals have shunts like this there is a decreased blood flow which results in liver atrophy and subsequent dysfunction, decreasing liver metabolism of neurotoxins. So you must be very careful about what you give him.

I hope that this surgery works for you. It will have more success if it is done before the dog is one year of age. Make sure you talk to your doctor thoroughly and write down what he says before you make this very expensive decision.
I am sorry I cannot be of more help.