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Worrying behaviour

1K views 6 replies 6 participants last post by  nwhavmom 
#1 ·
Hello, new to this forum and hoping for advice from you lovely people!

I have a lovely 1 yr old girl
Since we had her, at 11weeks old, she has seemed nervous and v barky. Tried to socialise her well but she used to shake and ask to be picked up. As she has got older she has become aggressive at times, particularly if someone comes to our house (or even walks past our house). She often just doesn’t seem happy, if that makes sense.
She came from a KC approved breeder, and as far as we know has not experienced any trauma.

In desperation, I got a behaviourist involved who suspects there may be a medical problem as her behaviours are quite extreme. Recent blood tests show an issue with her liver, so have booked an ultrasound as a liver shunt is suspected

I wanted to ask if anyone has experience of a Havanese with a liver shunt, and if this could explain her nervous and aggressive behaviour?
I’m first time dog owner so it’s a very steep learning curve for me!!
Many thanks x
 
#2 ·
Welcome to the forum! I am sorry to hear about the possible liver problems your girl is facing. We have had several members here who have had dogs with liver shunts. I don’t know if they are still active on the forum. You might try doing a search for liver shunt here on the forum and see what comes up. Good luck.
 
#3 ·
Sorry to hear what you are going through. I've known a couple of Havanese with liver shunts and a couple with anxiety issues, though neither is "common", and neither goes with the other. I think you were just unlucky to get both in one package. Have you talked with your breeder at all?

Sometimes medications can help with severe anxiety, but I suspect that the liver shunt could be a complicating factor with that, so you would need to do that under the care of a vet who was knowledgeable in both areas.
 
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#4 ·
Hello, new to this forum and hoping for advice from you lovely people!

I have a lovely 1 yr old girl
Since we had her, at 11weeks old, she has seemed nervous and v barky. Tried to socialise her well but she used to shake and ask to be picked up. As she has got older she has become aggressive at times, particularly if someone comes to our house (or even walks past our house). She often just doesn't seem happy, if that makes sense.
She came from a KC approved breeder, and as far as we know has not experienced any trauma.

In desperation, I got a behaviourist involved who suspects there may be a medical problem as her behaviours are quite extreme. Recent blood tests show an issue with her liver, so have booked an ultrasound as a liver shunt is suspected

I wanted to ask if anyone has experience of a Havanese with a liver shunt, and if this could explain her nervous and aggressive behaviour?
I'm first time dog owner so it's a very steep learning curve for me!!
Many thanks x
Sorry to hear about your fur baby. I was wondering if they did a full thyroid panel on her. Thyroid issues can cause aggression in dogs.
 
#7 ·
My last Hav had chronically elevated liver function tests that would slowly creep up each year for several years- then they stabilized. He had an ultrasound which was "negative," but a microshunt was still suspected. I was in contact with an expert at Univ of TN but ended up just watching his numbers. At the time, I felt very upset about all of it but over time I gained a better perspective. I was fastidious with keeping his teeth clean, brushing his teeth twice a day, and getting his teeth cleaned each year, all of which was thought to also help his liver. I tried milk thistle etc, but his numbers were chronically elevated. (He ended up passing at 11 years from heart failure related to valvular disease not liver disease.)

So, even if there is a microshunt, they can live a long fulfilling life. I don't know if aggression could be related. My last Hav was also very well socialized but never took to strangers even passing on a walk. I had to watch him carefully with strangers even though I worked with a behaviorist. After years of trying to change him, I accepted his quirks (and he accepted mine :) ). Besides all of these "issues," he was an indescribably sweet special love to our family and ended up being my soul dog. Sometimes when we go through challenges with our babies, our bond strengthens and we are able to see beyond our expectations of what they *should* be.

Best wishes to you and your pup. Try to keep your perspective wide and know that your pup will likely be fine.
 
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