Keegan

Keegan is our 10 month old saluki puppy.  He is funny, independent, adorable, naughty, loving, and snuggly. He is our sweet, sweet baby boy.  We are totally in love with him!  Keegan brought light and joy back into our home as well as the heartbreak of a congenital defect that could kill him. He was diagnosed as having a liver shunt one month after he became ours.  We can't face losing him and his liver is already failing.   We are raising money to pay for the surgery that will save his life.    


What Is A Liver Shunt?

A liver shunt is a blood vessel that bypasses the liver.  It carries blood either around or through it.   The blood is therefore not detoxified by the liver, continues through the circulatory system and crosses the blood brain barrier.   The toxins in the blood cause hepatic encephalitis manifesting as perplexing and heartbreaking behaviors to the observer/owner.

Keegan suffers from the following symptoms as a result of his liver shunt:

* Stumbling
* Head pressing
* Hepatic encephalitis
* Diarrhea
* Transient blindness
* Very frequent urination
* Inability to concentrate his urine
* Extreme thirst
* Sudden aggression
* Inability to echolocate
* Poor behavioral control
* Constant yeast infections
* Pica


Why Is This Life-threatening?

Because the shunt is carrying  blood around or through the liver, it is simultaneously denying the liver the blood supply it needs to grow and do it's vital work.  As Keegan grows, the liver can't keep up with the demands of his body and starts to fail.  This typically begins at 10 months.  The results of Keegan's last two blood panels show that his liver has begun it's expected decline.  Without your help, Keegan will die from liver failure as a very young dog.


Surgery Is Our Only Hope 

Despite our efforts at feeding the right foods, administering the correct medications and providing regular health care,  we can't change Keegan's condition.   He must have surgery.

Large breed dogs like Keegan tend to have shunts that pass through their livers making surgical interventions more complex and therefore, more expensive.   We've spoken to several health care providers and have gotten estimates that have ranged from  $7,000.00 to $13,000.00.  If we get the opportunity, we'd choose the University that quoted us the $7,000.00 fee.   This delicate surgery is one of their specialties.  Keegan's veterinarian has encouraged us to pursue this course.  We need your help to pay for Keegan's surgery, his one chance at life.


Please Help!

Please help us save our puppy.  We've done everything that has been asked of us by his doctors.  We are out of options and funds.  Keegan's time is literally running out...

Thank you,
~Keegan's Mom,
AKA Debbie Giumarra

Below:  A young Keegan with "big brother" Bancs...


Liver Shunts in Dogs | Canine Portosystemic Shunts (PSS) http://www.petwave.com/Dogs/Health/Portosystemic-Shunts.aspx