This page was originally made to share awareness of Livershunt in cats. To introduce you all to PINGU, a very very rare and brave cat indeed. PINGU was born with his LIVERSHUNT and subsequesntly contracted Iatrogenic Cushings Disease, as a side effect from the corticosteroids he had to have, as PART of his medical management, which kept him going for 12 3/4 years of age. We dont know of anopther cat that has ver lived to be this gae with BOTH defects, and it makes him so much of a rarity.. he was very brave, he was known around the world as THE SHUNTY WARRIOR and indeed an ambassador for LIVERSHUNT CATS. Pingu died on 1st May 2013, NOT from his Livershunt, but from a blood clot to the brain which left him paralysed and there was NOTHING we could do. Please never f orget PINGU and all he stood for, all he went thru..... he was such a happy little cat, who lived in his own world which we called PINGULAND...... he didnt suffer he was special needs he was different. A Livershunt means that the blood does NOT flow thru the portal vein, the Liver, and therefore does not get detoxified, but it is in fact shunted AROUND the Liver and therefore because the blood is not detoxified , there is a build up of toxins and it goes directly to the brain.... and then Hepatic Encephalopathy incurrs. HE for short....which is characterised by abnormal mental status and impaired neurologic function. Symptoms of a LIVERSHUNT are.... Excessive drooling, copper coloured irises, lethargy, seizures, feline neuropathy ,excessive thirst, trembling, intermitent blindness, head pressing,pacing,stunted growth,Neuroligic impairment,central nervous system disorders hallucinations, and coma.. tio mention but a few....... if you notcie any of these symptoms, you MUST get a proper diagnosis as many other diseases can show themselves in many of these symptoms too. Treatment of LIVERSHUNT in cats are... Medical management Surgery Protein restricted diet Lactoluse is always prescribed as is helps to absorb and lesson the production of ammonia (toxins) in the gut. Diagnosis of a LIVERSHUNT include... Complete blood count Bio chemical profile, Urinalysis, Liver function testes Bile acid Ultra sound x rays Portography. A LIVERSHUNT is not a death sentence, .... get a diagnosis, join a support group, leanr ask and give your cat a chance.. althought LIVERSHUNT is very rare in cats..... there is help out there .. and we are here to help in any way we can. Let PINGUS story inspire you....
Posted on: Wed, 10 Sep 2014 14:14:49 +0000
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