seizures/liver shunt

Question
Hi, I own 2 standard poodles (brothers from the same litter).  My sister has 2 from a different litter that are distantly related.  Both of hers have seizures and one had a "liver shunt".  Just this past weekend we had to have the one with the liver shunt put down.  He was 3 years old and my sister did everything she could to keep him as well as she could.  She is now devastated over the loss.  What can I do to help her?  I know that losing one of my boys would be like losing a child!  Also, how common is this type problem in standards?

Thanks!

Answer
Hello Alice,
My condolences over the loss of your sisters dog.  I lost a dog about this time last year and I can say from experience that while it is hard at first, it gets easier.  
You can help your sister by just being there for her.  Let her know that you feel her loss and that you understand her feelings for her "son".
If you think it would help her, get together with some friends and go over her dogs life.  Talk about the good times, funny moments, favorite experiences, show some good photos and maybe even toast to the dog or write little Memorandums about him.  It will let your sister know that you are all thinking about her and are with her in her loss.  

Seizures are fairly common in Miniature and Standard Poodles.  I have a Silver boy who suffers from Seizures about once every 4 months.  I choose not to treat him though because his seizures are so far apart and the treatment can be worse than the seizures themselves.  

I hope that the other 3 dogs (especially the sibling of the dog who had to be put down) are doing ok and are fairing well.  If you have other questions for me, please feel free to ask.

Thanks for using AllExperts.com,
Kim