Hi! My name is Annie. I am a 9 month old Great Dane and I was recently diagnosed with an intrahepatic liver shunt. This means that the blood flow to and through my liver is compromised. For the past three and a half weeks, I had been feeling really ill and not acting myself. My mom and dad had been doing everything they could to figure out what was wrong with me. I was referred to the University of Florida Veterinary Medical Center on July 9th and finally got my diagnosis. The specialists recommend a surgery to repair the shunt which will allow me to go back to being my vibrant, goofy self. The surgery will be done through an incision in my neck, so hopefully I will be able to recover quickly and play with my sister and friends. My doctors are confident that despite the serious nature of the surgery, they will be able to help me live a normal, happy life. Without the surgery, my condition will continue to decline. I have so many things to see and do, so many people to meet and make smile, and I really want to be able to spend many, many more years with my mom, dad, sister and friends. Thank you for reading my story!



Any glimpse into the life of an animal quickens our own and makes it so much the larger and better in every way.
                                                                                      John Muir