Liver Problems - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Luvy · 10-28-2007, 08:51 AM

Hello from Luvy, a 4 month old Yorkie that weighs 2 lb 14 oz.
Luvy appears very thin. The Vet suggested a Bile acid test to check the liver function. All her blood levels were in the normal range except her Bile Acid Test - prefasting test read 25 Micro Mol/L : Post Bile Acid Test it read 31 Micro Mol/L.
We have an appointment at Texas A and M College of Vet. Medicine on Wed. Luvy was put on a Low Protein dog food on Thursday. She is on Hill's KD. We know she needs to be on LD. The Vet did not have it in at that time. Her entire personality has changed totally. She is still somewhat shy. But now plays, runs, gets into EVERYTHING, eats well, and now makes us laugh and smile.
We have been reading that Vit. E and milk thristle could be of a great help also. We do not want to add anything else to her diet until after she has some test run on Wed.
We are SO in hopes and prayers that they can help her with diet only. We do not know yet if it is a shunt or not.
Do any of you have any ideas, suggestions, and or thoughts after seeing her reading.
Please keep Luvy in her hearts and prayers. She is so sweet and precious to us. We had to put down our Mandy, 16 1/2 yr. old Yorkie, a few months ago. As each of you know there is so much love in these little babies we all have.
Thank each of you so much for all your contributaions to Yorkie.talk.
Missie

drawlins27 · 10-28-2007, 08:57 AM

Try the Royal Canine Hepatic LS 14 instead. It is a much better food and dogs like it better as well. You will need a prescription for it but it is not too hard to fine. Most vets do not carry it but Petsmart does. Have your vet call Petsmart for you.

Her levels are not too terribly high so maybe she has MVD rather than Liver Shunt. My Lily does too and so do many other yorkies on here so you will get some great advice!

Did your vet give you lactulose for her? It is very important.

Ellie May · 10-28-2007, 11:07 AM

Why did your vet do the bile acid test? Is it just because she is skinny? Those numbers aren't too high (although a bit concerning). Had you used any flea med, heartworm med or anything else like that a week or less before testing? Sometimes that can skew the results. The Royal Canin LS 14 is a better food than L/D but if you need to use L/D I would recommend the canned and not the dry. The ingredients are healthier.

Luvy · 10-28-2007, 11:47 AM

Our Vet ran the bile acid test due to her concern with Luvy only gaining one ounce in 3 weeks. She was due for her rabies and another shot the day we took her in. We were starting her on heart worm preventive on Nov. 1. Right now we are on hold for the shots and heart worm prevention until we see the Vets on Wed.
I have received an email saying there is a virus that sometimes shows high enzymes. A Vet at UC Davis knows about it. Have you heard about this type virus. "Luvy's Mom"

Patti · 10-28-2007, 12:13 PM

Cali had slightly higher bile acid scores and was diagnoses with a liver biopsy with very mild MVD, no treatment needed. Usually lower scores indicate MVD or just something was off on the day of the test.

pokche · 10-31-2007, 10:45 AM

I use Royal Canine LS 14 and Bikini loves it... and at night i give her a tablespoon of Hill's LD or Medi-Cal Vegetarian Formula Canned or the Canned Medi-Cal Low-Proteinwhich she loves too! I combine both too because she is a puppy of 5 month so she gets more nutrients and vitamines from a different source.
Bikini is 5 months and weighs around 3 pounds. She had a pancreatitis and we did a pre-bile test which came back at 31. We did not do a post because she wasn't eating. The results are not always right. I have to do another test in a month.
But the foods are all good for liver comprise dogs.
Good luck!

Yorkieluv · 10-31-2007, 06:04 PM

Lepto can throw the bile acid test results, I think...

Yorkieluv · 10-31-2007, 06:18 PM

What further testing is the vet recommending? You could get a protein C test done to help decide whether liver shunt of MVD is more likely. Did they do a blood panel? If so, what was her ALT level?

Ladymom · 10-31-2007, 07:18 PM

My Lady doesn't have liver disease, but she does get phenobarbital for seizures which is really hard on the liver. She has been getting milk thistle for almost the entire seven years she's been on the medication and her liver values are still normal.

Dr. Center recommends Marin for liver support. It's milk thistle and vitamins A & E. Entirely Pets and a few of the other online catalogs carry it.

It sounds like you have excellent vets caring for your little girl.

Luvy · 11-01-2007, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pokche

I use Royal Canine LS 14 and Bikini loves it... and at night i give her a tablespoon of Hill's LD or Medi-Cal Vegetarian Formula Canned or the Canned Medi-Cal Low-Proteinwhich she loves too! I combine both too because she is a puppy of 5 month so she gets more nutrients and vitamines from a different source.
Bikini is 5 months and weighs around 3 pounds. She had a pancreatitis and we did a pre-bile test which came back at 31. We did not do a post because she wasn't eating. The results are not always right. I have to do another test in a month.
But the foods are all good for liver comprise dogs.
Good luck!

Thank you so much for your reply about the food. Also how you manage the situation with your dogs. I posted a Dr. report on Luvy this morning. I try to reply to all individual replies. Long story short - they have Luvy on Hills Science Diet Savory Chicken Puppy and Science Diet Growth Small Bites. Push food as much as we can. If she is not adding weight in a month we will have a liver biospy done when she is spay in about a month. That will rule out MVD or not. They are not concerned about her numbers on her bile acid test. They read 25 before 31 post. I still wonder if this is the right food to be putting weigth on her. Thank you so much for you email and advice.

pokche · 11-01-2007, 07:28 AM

Oh no problem. I had a lot of people on here helping me too

We are all so concerned when we have a sicky puppy

But with support and advice it makes things better. Yorkie Talkers are the best

I hope your little one will be ok. I go through sort of the same thing. We are not sure where we are heading at this moment... It makes it hard. But now I tell myself everyday that she is up and running, playing and enjoying life. So I guess she is sort of in a good shape

I will go for a test again in a month and we will go from there! I was so stress out with all the symptoms and everything that she was doing that I was starting to go nuts

Now I feel better that I let go a little bit... all my surrounding tells me that she is very active and in a good shape

Let me know how you are doing with the food? I would like to help with the food but I don't know what you are giving her. Maybe I will switch her after! Keep us updated on your littles ones weight! Try this food for a while and see how she does... If she is active, its a good sign!
Buy the way, do you have any pictures

We love to see pictures

Luvy · 11-01-2007, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pokche

Oh no problem. I had a lot of people on here helping me too

We are all so concerned when we have a sicky puppy

But with support and advice it makes things better. Yorkie Talkers are the best

I hope your little one will be ok. I go through sort of the same thing. We are not sure where we are heading at this moment... It makes it hard. But now I tell myself everyday that she is up and running, playing and enjoying life. So I guess she is sort of in a good shape

I will go for a test again in a month and we will go from there! I was so stress out with all the symptoms and everything that she was doing that I was starting to go nuts

Now I feel better that I let go a little bit... all my surrounding tells me that she is very active and in a good shape

Let me know how you are doing with the food? I would like to help with the food but I don't know what you are giving her. Maybe I will switch her after! Keep us updated on your littles ones weight! Try this food for a while and see how she does... If she is active, its a good sign!
Buy the way, do you have any pictures

We love to see pictures

We have her on Hill's Science Diet Savory Chicken Entree Puppy and Science Diet Growth Puppy. I agree with you about all the stress this brings on us. I am just thankful we have her and can provide the best care possible. We will send some pictures once her hair grows out. They had to shave her belly and up both side to just below her back bone to enable them to do test. She looks as if she has a mohawk!! However, I had Sonja make her a little muff for us to carry her in. That should arrive today. Then I am having one made for the Holidays out of Holiday fabric. I told Sonja she needs to get this idea of mine on her Web Site because they will sale like hot cakes. I have had several posting saying what a cute idea I had. I look forward to hearing from you again.

10-28-2007, 08:51 AM	#1
Luvy Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: houston Tx Posts: 39	Liver Problems Hello from Luvy, a 4 month old Yorkie that weighs 2 lb 14 oz. Luvy appears very thin. The Vet suggested a Bile acid test to check the liver function. All her blood levels were in the normal range except her Bile Acid Test - prefasting test read 25 Micro Mol/L : Post Bile Acid Test it read 31 Micro Mol/L. We have an appointment at Texas A and M College of Vet. Medicine on Wed. Luvy was put on a Low Protein dog food on Thursday. She is on Hill's KD. We know she needs to be on LD. The Vet did not have it in at that time. Her entire personality has changed totally. She is still somewhat shy. But now plays, runs, gets into EVERYTHING, eats well, and now makes us laugh and smile. We have been reading that Vit. E and milk thristle could be of a great help also. We do not want to add anything else to her diet until after she has some test run on Wed. We are SO in hopes and prayers that they can help her with diet only. We do not know yet if it is a shunt or not. Do any of you have any ideas, suggestions, and or thoughts after seeing her reading. Please keep Luvy in her hearts and prayers. She is so sweet and precious to us. We had to put down our Mandy, 16 1/2 yr. old Yorkie, a few months ago. As each of you know there is so much love in these little babies we all have. Thank each of you so much for all your contributaions to Yorkie.talk. Missie

10-28-2007, 08:57 AM	#2
drawlins27 Mommy's Lil' Miracle Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Mufreesboro, TN Posts: 1,028	Try the Royal Canine Hepatic LS 14 instead. It is a much better food and dogs like it better as well. You will need a prescription for it but it is not too hard to fine. Most vets do not carry it but Petsmart does. Have your vet call Petsmart for you. Her levels are not too terribly high so maybe she has MVD rather than Liver Shunt. My Lily does too and so do many other yorkies on here so you will get some great advice! Did your vet give you lactulose for her? It is very important. __________________ I LOVE my little Furbutts!

10-28-2007, 11:07 AM	#3
Ellie May And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI Posts: 17,928	Why did your vet do the bile acid test? Is it just because she is skinny? Those numbers aren't too high (although a bit concerning). Had you used any flea med, heartworm med or anything else like that a week or less before testing? Sometimes that can skew the results. The Royal Canin LS 14 is a better food than L/D but if you need to use L/D I would recommend the canned and not the dry. The ingredients are healthier. __________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶

10-28-2007, 11:47 AM	#4
Luvy Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: houston Tx Posts: 39	Luvy Liver Problems Our Vet ran the bile acid test due to her concern with Luvy only gaining one ounce in 3 weeks. She was due for her rabies and another shot the day we took her in. We were starting her on heart worm preventive on Nov. 1. Right now we are on hold for the shots and heart worm prevention until we see the Vets on Wed. I have received an email saying there is a virus that sometimes shows high enzymes. A Vet at UC Davis knows about it. Have you heard about this type virus. "Luvy's Mom"

10-28-2007, 12:13 PM	#5
Patti Donating YT 30K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 35,509 Blog Entries: 6	Cali had slightly higher bile acid scores and was diagnoses with a liver biopsy with very mild MVD, no treatment needed. Usually lower scores indicate MVD or just something was off on the day of the test. __________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html

10-31-2007, 10:45 AM	#6
pokche Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Gatineau Posts: 240	I use Royal Canine LS 14 and Bikini loves it... and at night i give her a tablespoon of Hill's LD or Medi-Cal Vegetarian Formula Canned or the Canned Medi-Cal Low-Proteinwhich she loves too! I combine both too because she is a puppy of 5 month so she gets more nutrients and vitamines from a different source. Bikini is 5 months and weighs around 3 pounds. She had a pancreatitis and we did a pre-bile test which came back at 31. We did not do a post because she wasn't eating. The results are not always right. I have to do another test in a month. But the foods are all good for liver comprise dogs. Good luck! __________________

10-31-2007, 06:04 PM	#7
Yorkieluv Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: USA Posts: 7,178	Lepto can throw the bile acid test results, I think... __________________ Miko 's his Mommy

10-31-2007, 06:18 PM	#8
Yorkieluv Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: USA Posts: 7,178	What further testing is the vet recommending? You could get a protein C test done to help decide whether liver shunt of MVD is more likely. Did they do a blood panel? If so, what was her ALT level? __________________ Miko 's his Mommy

10-31-2007, 07:18 PM	#9
Ladymom Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 8,317	My Lady doesn't have liver disease, but she does get phenobarbital for seizures which is really hard on the liver. She has been getting milk thistle for almost the entire seven years she's been on the medication and her liver values are still normal. Dr. Center recommends Marin for liver support. It's milk thistle and vitamins A & E. Entirely Pets and a few of the other online catalogs carry it. It sounds like you have excellent vets caring for your little girl. __________________ http://www.myladysdogbows.com/ http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref...6213341?ref=nf

11-01-2007, 07:28 AM	#11
pokche Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Gatineau Posts: 240	Oh no problem. I had a lot of people on here helping me too We are all so concerned when we have a sicky puppy But with support and advice it makes things better. Yorkie Talkers are the best I hope your little one will be ok. I go through sort of the same thing. We are not sure where we are heading at this moment... It makes it hard. But now I tell myself everyday that she is up and running, playing and enjoying life. So I guess she is sort of in a good shape I will go for a test again in a month and we will go from there! I was so stress out with all the symptoms and everything that she was doing that I was starting to go nuts Now I feel better that I let go a little bit... all my surrounding tells me that she is very active and in a good shape Let me know how you are doing with the food? I would like to help with the food but I don't know what you are giving her. Maybe I will switch her after! Keep us updated on your littles ones weight! Try this food for a while and see how she does... If she is active, its a good sign! Buy the way, do you have any pictures We love to see pictures __________________