Landon & His Liver Shunt

What is a Liver Shunt? July 20th Appointment Landon’s 1st Birthday

Hello RAL friends. We want to tell you about a kitten named Landon who, we suspect, has a liver shunt.

Landon came to RAL by way of one of our animal control partners as a transfer on July 11th. Landon was found by a citizen at a bank and brought to animal control.

Shortly after his arrival, we noticed possible seizure activity, which was consistent with a possible seizure that staff at the animal control shelter had seen. He was placed in an incubator, where he quickly got comfortable.

After observing him for a few days and running some tests, our veterinary team suspects he has a liver shunt. He has a consult scheduled with an internal medicine veterinarian on July 20th. He will likely need a CT scan; if it is confirmed, he will need surgery to fix the shunt. We are relying on our RAL family to help us to do whatever we need for little Landon to live a happy, healthy life with a loving family.

So, what exactly is a liver shunt?

A healthy liver is crucial for a cat's well-being as it detoxifies the blood and removes harmful substances. A shunt is a liver defect where the blood bypasses the liver and flows directly to the heart, resulting in toxins not being filtered out. This condition can lead to various health problems, such as neurological issues, digestive disturbances, urinary tract disorders, and stunted growth. Early diagnosis is essential and can be done through blood tests, ultrasound, and X-rays. Treatment options include dietary management with low-protein food or surgical intervention to redirect blood flow to the liver. With early recognition, most cases can be successfully treated with surgery.

What is his prognosis?

If it is confirmed that Landon has a liver shunt, we will schedule surgery with a specialist. There are risks with the surgery, as with any surgery, but without it, he will not have a chance because his liver cannot do its job properly. He will need to be hospitalized for a day or two after the surgery to be monitored, and if he makes it through that, he can live a normal life.

July 20th Appointment:

The specialist believes that he does have a liver shunt, but he is currently too small for an ultrasound or a CT scan. Since he is doing well with medical management, we will continue treating him as we have been until he is about 4lb. We will then do the CT scan and, very likely, surgery. The estimate for the CT scan is about $3,000 - $4,000. If you would like to help us with his medical care, please consider donating.

He seemed to enjoy his field trip and getting fawned over.

Landon’s Complex Liver Shunt

After finally getting his CT scan, it was confirmed that Landon has a liver shunt. But he also has to be extra special and dramatic about things, so he has a more complex type of shunt that will require a more complex surgery to correct.

Landon has an intrahepatic shunt, meaning the shunt is actually inside of his liver, instead of an extrahepatic shunt that is outside of the liver.

Of course, this means his surgery will be more complex, but we are hopeful that it will go well and he can live a fairly normal life.

We are working with a specialist to get his surgery scheduled.

Landon Just Turned One Year Old!!

This week, we're positively bursting with joy as we celebrate Landon's first birthday—a milestone we once feared he might not reach. From a tiny, two-month-old kitten facing big medical challenges, to the charming, resilient fighter you see before you, Landon's journey has been nothing short of heroic.

Thanks to the care of his wonderful foster family and the dedicated team here at RAL, Landon is not just surviving; he's thriving! While he's been growing a bit slower than other kittens, his spirit and zest for life are unmatched. Now that he is big enough for the complex surgery required to fix his liver shunt, we can't wait to get that scheduled so Landon's health can continue to improve by leaps and bounds.

As we celebrate this special day, we also look toward the future and the medical care Landon needs. We're reaching out to our amazing community for support. Every donation, no matter the size, helps us provide Landon and many others like him the critical medical attention they require to lead happy, healthy lives.

Want to help Landon and friends? Here's how you can make a difference:

Donate: Your donations help RAL provide critical care for pets like Landon.

Share: Help us spread the word about Landon’s story and RAL's mission to provide Hope, Help, and Homes for pets in need.

👉 Donate now and help us give Landon and countless others the chance at a loving new home they deserve. Thank you for your support and love. Here’s to many more birthdays for Landon!