Julies Page

We would like you to meet Julie. She is a 13 week old female that is very sick. She was diagnosed with a portosystemic shunt (liver shunt). Unfortunately this is very expensive. The initial costs of the surgery alone is estimated between $3000 to $5000 which of course we don't have. Apparently there are 2 different types and we are waiting for an ultrasound to find out which one it is. We would like to try to get her some help but desperately need help in find funds for such a daunting task.

This page was set up so everyone can keep updated on her progress and our fundraising efforts and you can also donate if you can. We are also looking for volunteer opportunities to raise some fast cash. If anyone has any suggestions please feel free to contact us.

UPDATE: Julie was put on meds and we have changed her diet to Hills LD (liver diet) canned food and she is doing well. She also had her ultrasound on Thursday, July 26 with Dr. Brewer. Unfortunately they were unable to detect anything. Stunts can be very hard to detect through ultrasound so we are having to do more testing. She was 7.5 pounds which is 9 oz more then the last visit. Attached is a current picture of her. She has perked up a lot and is acting more like a normal puppy.

UPDATE: July 31 Julie had another bile acids test today. She is up to 8 pounds so the meds and food are agreeing with her. Still waiting on the results and I will update this as soon as I hear something.

UPDATE: Sept. 1 Julie's results for her bile acids test is way off. More medicine and antibiotics for her. Ultrasound showed crystals and fluid in the abdomen. They also detected a slight heart murmur

UPDATE: Sept. 7 We joined a Yahoo group that deals in liver shunts and liver diseases and we are switching her food to a lower protein liver diet. We have also decreased her portions and she is eating every 4 hours around the clock.

UPDATE: Sept. 17 We ordered and received supplements for the liver and will be starting her on that tomorrow. We will have her bloodwork and bile acids test done again in 3 weeks to see if we are controlling it. I do have to say that this little piglet is up to 9 lbs 11 oz. She is running around and acting like a regular puppy. She takes her pills real good but doesn't like to drink her distilled water. She gets mad and dumps the bowl over if she can't drink out of the big dogs bowl.

UPDATE: Oct. 9 Our annual Adopt A Spot picnic was on this day and Julie enjoyed fun in the sun. She was reunited with her brother Harley and they had a great time. Harley is now 30 pounds and Julie doesn't even break 12 yet. They had so much fun and Julie still bossed him around. Below is Julie in her Halloween costume (PJ's) and the other is her brother Harley. Although Julie didn't win the contest she stole the show.

UPDATE: Oct. 28 We have Julie on supplements to help her stabilize and she hasn't had any other episodes. The only problem we have is that she isn't gaining a whole lot of weight. She had a vet appointment on Oct. 19 and she was only 11 pounds 9 ozs. The vet was concerned about the bloodwork because she had several areas that we off. We are going to continue treating with supplements and retest in a few weeks.

UPDATE: Nov. 15 Julie lost her first tooth today. Yippee!!! She had a little episode earlier this month but we were able to get it under control quickly and she is doing MUCH better. She is up to 15 pounds and seems to be happy. We have made a Facebook page for Julie at

UPDATE: We have had an offer from a great rescuer is Michigan to take Julie to her vets and get her surgery done. We would like to try to get her up there at the end of the year. She has got a free ride all the way there but the only problem we have is the money to have it performed. We are about $2000 short and hopefully we can get enough to have her done. If surgery goes good we are going to try to find her perfect furever home

UPDATE: Dec. 13, 2010 Julie is doing fantastic. She is now at 21 pounds and full of energy. She is still hopefully going to Michigan the first of the year for surgery but still have some $$$ to collect. She did go to the vet last week and a grade 2 heart murmur was detected but they feel it is ok for surgery. Fingers crossed and will update again soon

If you would like to donate to Julie's non surgical expenses your donations are still greatly appreciated.

UPDATE: Jan. 3, 2011 Julie has made it up to Michigan and she is getting all the pre surgical testing done. She is 23 pounds of per energy. These pictures were taken at my house the night before she left. She is doing very well and will have her surgery in about 3 weeks. We will try to update you as much as possible but please keep her in your prayers for a fast recovery.

UPDATE: JAN: Jan. 17, 2011 It looks like her heart murmur is a grade 2 which is not bad. Her ultrasound turned up what looks to be an extrahepatic shunt which is good. They saw something there and it look operatable. If you have to have a liver shunt then this is a good one to have. She is also up to 28 pounds. Plans are to have surgery on Wed. Jan.26 if everything remains stable. Fingers crossed

I am happy to report that Julie is now 30 pounds and the vet has decided to do the surgery at 8:30 this morning (Thursday). I have included a picture of her when she was almost 5 months and 13 pounds and now at 30 pounds. We won't know until they get in there if the shunt is fixable so needless to say I am worried and unable to sleep. Anyway please keep her in your prayers and thoughts and I will give an update when I hear something. Thanks again for all of the people that came through for her

UPDATE: Jan. 21, 2011

Sorry for the delay but Julie's surgery didn't go as planned. She did have an extrahepatic shunt but it was too large to remove. It also didn't have a portal valve going to it and if they would have removed it she would have died on the table. The shunt measured 20mm and the largest they had seen was 5mm. The vet said... they have never seen a dog in this shape and will probably never see one again. They did say that they were surprised she was still alive and so healthy. Her liver, spleen, and arteries are in bad shape. She also only had 1 ovary but they did spay her. Liver biopsy will come back in about a week. We are going to see how she pulls through this and support her with the same medical management that we have used in the past with a couple other meds. It will cost about 325.00 to support her a month so we have a lot of thinking to do. The only good thing that happened today is they did a BAER for free and she is a uni. :) I will write more in the morning when I hear of her condition. She is alert and eating now. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

UPDATE: Feb. 4, 2011: Julie is doing well and is now ready to come home. She goes for her last set of bloodwork today and for a check up on Monday. We are anxiously awaiting her arrival. Transport will be Sat. , Feb. 12 and we don't have any contacts in MI, OH or WV so we can sure use some help. Please let us know if you would like to help this little one get home safely.

Here is the latest video on her. Julie's Newest Video

She will be at adoption events trying to find her new home so please check our website for the dates. If you are unable to adopt just come and visit. She is so happy and bouncy and loves to meet everybody.

This has been a very long journey for her and for us and we would like to thank everyone who made this possible. I would especially like to thank the foster family for taking such good care of her and getting her through the rough times. Without them Julie wouldn't be here today. Thank you guys for everything you have done for her.

We are a 501c3 not for profit organization and your donation is 100% deductible.