Bile Acid Test - YorkieTalk.com Forums

MisaRaye · 09-17-2008, 04:09 PM

I just had a BAT done on Misa. Her pre-level was 9.3 and her post level was 29.8. Her ammonia level was 0, her BUN was 9 Creatinine 0.7, glucose 119, TBIL 0.6 CALCIUM 9.5, ALT 38, ALKP 100, ALBUMIN 3.8,CL 110,K 3.8, AMYL 740,PHOS 2.3. Misa has had two episodes of seizure activity, once this past may and the last 9/9. The first time it was thought that she had a pyrethrin toxicity and she was treated with Robaxin and it helped her. This second time, she again was treated with Robaxin and it helped her. I found out that my lawn people were spraying Suspend, whichis a synthetic pyrethroid on the pation and in the tracks where the sliding glass doors are. Misa likes to lick her feet. She has a great appetite, isn't listless, weighs a healthy 5.7 pounds and is 4 years old. Does this sound like liver shunt to anyone?

bchgirl · 09-17-2008, 04:26 PM

If she'd ingested the insecticide right prior to the bile acid test...that can affect the numbers. Vaccinations can also affect them. A bile acid test does not diagnose liver shunt...it indicates liver function only. Additional testing would be required to determine if it were a shunt

Her post numbers are the lowest "bad" results I've ever seen here....based on that...liver shunt figures are usually much much higher. Perhaps she has mvd...which is controlled by diet and supplements. I still think 29 is a very low number.

MisaRaye · 09-17-2008, 04:29 PM

She just had the BAT yesterday. The other numbers are from when I took her to the emergency hospital on the 9th. I have her scheduled to see an internist on Tuesday for a possible ultrasound or whatever the next step is, but I thought the 29 was pretty low as well, and given the fact that her ammonia level was 0 leads me to believe that it isn't liver shunt.

bchgirl · 09-17-2008, 04:32 PM

Ultrasounds aren't very reliable. Ask the vet for a protein C test. It's a blood test...this will determine if it's a shunt.

MisaRaye · 09-17-2008, 04:34 PM

Thank you. I will ask for that!

bchgirl · 09-17-2008, 04:36 PM

Yorkieluv and Ellie May both have dogs who have MVD. You can pm either...or perhaps they'll pop in your thread. They know loads more than I...

Ellie May · 09-17-2008, 04:47 PM

The BAT isn't particularly concerning but the BUN may be a bit low.

Yorkieluv is good at looking at blood work, so hopefully she will see this.

MisaRaye · 09-17-2008, 04:52 PM

Thank you. The Bun normal range on the test was 7-27. other than the protein c, is there anything else I should ask for?

Yorkieluv · 09-17-2008, 05:49 PM

The Protein C test will help rule out liver shunt, like bchgirl said, so that would be a good next step, and it's quite a bit less expensive than the ultrasound.

The advantages of doing an ultrasound are that the specialist will be able to see the size of the liver (to see if it has atrophied and is smaller than it should be) and it shows if there are bladder stones which are many times seen in liver shunt dogs. If they're *only* trying to rule out liver shunt, u/s is not worth the money.

The bloodwork looks alright. Even if numbers are in "normal" range, it's important to keep an eye on the values that are borderline. I would run bloodwork on her every 6-9 months or so to monitor her if they really feel she may have/had liver issues.

When she had those toxins in her system, did they put her on any supplements like milk thistle or denosyl?

Ellie May · 09-17-2008, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisaRaye

Thank you. The Bun normal range on the test was 7-27. other than the protein c, is there anything else I should ask for?

It is true that the BUN is within normal reference range but "sometimes" highs and lows even within normal reference need to be looked at. It would concern me in this case because low BUN can be seen with liver issues. It is definately something to watch.

I think the Protein C test is an okay place to start and ultrasounds aren't too reliable. They are good though if you think there are secondary bladder issues due to liver issues... A post of 29 makes me think you don't need to rush into anything. Was flea, heartworm or any other med given within about a week before the test? I would not let this go but retesting in a month might be one option.

Were seizures the only symptoms?

MisaRaye · 09-17-2008, 05:53 PM

After giving her the Robaxin and keeping her on iv fluids for about 6 hours, they only sent her home with pepcid, nothing else. should she be taking something else?

MisaRaye · 09-17-2008, 05:55 PM

Also, advantage and interceptor was given about a week prior, but she's been on those two things for quite awhile.

littlelady · 09-17-2008, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisaRaye

She just had the BAT yesterday. The other numbers are from when I took her to the emergency hospital on the 9th. I have her scheduled to see an internist on Tuesday for a possible ultrasound or whatever the next step is, but I thought the 29 was pretty low as well, and given the fact that her ammonia level was 0 leads me to believe that it isn't liver shunt.

How old is she? My little guy's first BAT's were elevated and we thought it was from vaccines,infection,and medications he had been given.His ammonia level was normal .
He is 7 months old now and his ammonia level was 414. I had boiled him rice and added tofu to it with a beef broth for taste. I thought this protein would be easier for him to digest and maybe the ammonia level would not build up or keep building up. He is always so hungry now I am having to feed him several times a day and give him a multi vitamin. I just had another BAT and ammonia level done today. I will know these results tomorrow.

Hottie08 · 11-11-2008, 11:13 AM

My Yorkie is only 3# and she is almost 8 mo old and appears to be fine. We found elevated ALT when we first tried to spay her at 6 months. first time it was about 123 then retested couple weeks later and increased to 213 and he put her on some vitamins and after 2 weeks retested and she is now 260. She has had the Bile Acid test and it was negative and Ultrasound that did not show anything. So I asked him about the Protein C test and he did not know what it is. Can you give me any more info where I can show him?

Is there another name for the Protein C test? My vet does not know what that is and I have not been able to find it on any web sites or info pages.

Thanks,
Tina

Quote:

Originally Posted by bchgirl

Ultrasounds aren't very reliable. Ask the vet for a protein C test. It's a blood test...this will determine if it's a shunt.

sweetsophia · 11-11-2008, 11:58 AM

Here is a link to the Cornell University site that does the Protein C Assay tests for dogs. You have to overnight the test and it is done within 24 hrs. The test is very reasonable and results are available within 24-48 hours.

Comparative Coagulation -- NYS Animal Health Diagnostic Center

09-17-2008, 04:09 PM	#1
MisaRaye Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Boynton Beach, FL Posts: 30	Bile Acid Test I just had a BAT done on Misa. Her pre-level was 9.3 and her post level was 29.8. Her ammonia level was 0, her BUN was 9 Creatinine 0.7, glucose 119, TBIL 0.6 CALCIUM 9.5, ALT 38, ALKP 100, ALBUMIN 3.8,CL 110,K 3.8, AMYL 740,PHOS 2.3. Misa has had two episodes of seizure activity, once this past may and the last 9/9. The first time it was thought that she had a pyrethrin toxicity and she was treated with Robaxin and it helped her. This second time, she again was treated with Robaxin and it helped her. I found out that my lawn people were spraying Suspend, whichis a synthetic pyrethroid on the pation and in the tracks where the sliding glass doors are. Misa likes to lick her feet. She has a great appetite, isn't listless, weighs a healthy 5.7 pounds and is 4 years old. Does this sound like liver shunt to anyone?

09-17-2008, 04:26 PM	#2
bchgirl Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: at da beach Posts: 11,171	If she'd ingested the insecticide right prior to the bile acid test...that can affect the numbers. Vaccinations can also affect them. A bile acid test does not diagnose liver shunt...it indicates liver function only. Additional testing would be required to determine if it were a shunt Her post numbers are the lowest "bad" results I've ever seen here....based on that...liver shunt figures are usually much much higher. Perhaps she has mvd...which is controlled by diet and supplements. I still think 29 is a very low number. __________________ Deb, Ramsey, Reese, Reggie & Trace who watches over us Ramsey 's Bailey

09-17-2008, 04:32 PM	#4
bchgirl Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: at da beach Posts: 11,171	Ultrasounds aren't very reliable. Ask the vet for a protein C test. It's a blood test...this will determine if it's a shunt. __________________ Deb, Ramsey, Reese, Reggie & Trace who watches over us Ramsey 's Bailey

09-17-2008, 04:36 PM	#6
bchgirl Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: at da beach Posts: 11,171	Yorkieluv and Ellie May both have dogs who have MVD. You can pm either...or perhaps they'll pop in your thread. They know loads more than I... __________________ Deb, Ramsey, Reese, Reggie & Trace who watches over us Ramsey 's Bailey

09-17-2008, 04:47 PM	#7
Ellie May YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 6,477	The BAT isn't particularly concerning but the BUN may be a bit low. Yorkieluv is good at looking at blood work, so hopefully she will see this. __________________ Crystal and Ellie May

09-17-2008, 04:29 PM	#3
MisaRaye Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Boynton Beach, FL Posts: 30	She just had the BAT yesterday. The other numbers are from when I took her to the emergency hospital on the 9th. I have her scheduled to see an internist on Tuesday for a possible ultrasound or whatever the next step is, but I thought the 29 was pretty low as well, and given the fact that her ammonia level was 0 leads me to believe that it isn't liver shunt.

09-17-2008, 04:34 PM	#5
MisaRaye Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Boynton Beach, FL Posts: 30	Thank you. I will ask for that!

09-17-2008, 04:52 PM	#8
MisaRaye Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Boynton Beach, FL Posts: 30	Thank you. The Bun normal range on the test was 7-27. other than the protein c, is there anything else I should ask for?

09-17-2008, 05:49 PM	#9
Yorkieluv Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: USA Posts: 7,021	The Protein C test will help rule out liver shunt, like bchgirl said, so that would be a good next step, and it's quite a bit less expensive than the ultrasound. The advantages of doing an ultrasound are that the specialist will be able to see the size of the liver (to see if it has atrophied and is smaller than it should be) and it shows if there are bladder stones which are many times seen in liver shunt dogs. If they're only trying to rule out liver shunt, u/s is not worth the money. The bloodwork looks alright. Even if numbers are in "normal" range, it's important to keep an eye on the values that are borderline. I would run bloodwork on her every 6-9 months or so to monitor her if they really feel she may have/had liver issues. When she had those toxins in her system, did they put her on any supplements like milk thistle or denosyl? __________________ Miko 's his Mommy

09-17-2008, 05:53 PM	#11
MisaRaye Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Boynton Beach, FL Posts: 30	After giving her the Robaxin and keeping her on iv fluids for about 6 hours, they only sent her home with pepcid, nothing else. should she be taking something else?

09-17-2008, 05:55 PM	#12
MisaRaye Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Boynton Beach, FL Posts: 30	Also, advantage and interceptor was given about a week prior, but she's been on those two things for quite awhile.

11-11-2008, 11:58 AM	#15
sweetsophia Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 596	Here is a link to the Cornell University site that does the Protein C Assay tests for dogs. You have to overnight the test and it is done within 24 hrs. The test is very reasonable and results are available within 24-48 hours. Comparative Coagulation -- NYS Animal Health Diagnostic Center __________________ www.LuvStruckYorkshireTerriers.com