Wobbly Dog--High Liver Levels

[TLC]

Thanks for sharing the results. I hope the Specialist can get to the bottom of this.

Roxy's IMS said they don't worry about the post until it's over 40

[CarlMommy]

My vet mentioned that a shunt would normally have bile acid results from 150-400s and that 49 while a little high might not be his problem. I did mention the mvd and he said that would be normally found with the ultrasound. Unfortunately the specialists are only available on monday, nice.... He actually seems to be doing REALLY well since I've been home(4 hrs now) so I'm praying maybe the medication just took a few days and is starting to work... Poor sweetie. He seems to be shaking a lot (like how they dry off after a bath) and using his back leg to scratch by his head so I'm wondering if he has an inner ear infection, and if he does if his current antibiotics will fix that?

[TLC]

Originally Posted by CarlMommy

My vet mentioned that a shunt would normally have bile acid results from 150-400s and that 49 while a little high might not be his problem. I did mention the mvd and he said that would be normally found with the ultrasound. Unfortunately the specialists are only available on monday, nice.... He actually seems to be doing REALLY well since I've been home(4 hrs now) so I'm praying maybe the medication just took a few days and is starting to work... Poor sweetie. He seems to be shaking a lot (like how they dry off after a bath) and using his back leg to scratch by his head so I'm wondering if he has an inner ear infection, and if he does if his current antibiotics will fix that?

Yes a single liver shunt usually will throw very high BATs (waaaayyyy over 100).

MVD will NEVER be seen on an Ultrasound though, and a U/S is only about 60% accurate in seeing a single shunt as well (Like Kerri said about Quinn's shunt). A U/S is good to see the size and shape of the Liver and to see if there are bladder stones present.

MVD is tiny microscopic shunting throughout the liver, and can even be in only part of the liver. MVD can be loosely dx through BATs and other testing, but can only be confirmed through a liver biopsy. The end result is always the same though, low protein diet, sometimes lactulose and antib's (depending on the symptoms) and liver aiding supplements. So, one has to decide if it's worth it to put their dog through a liver biopsy just to confirm MVD. I choose not too, bc Roxy had already been spayed and I felt why put her through that invasive surgery when the end result would still be the same: diet and supplements.

Keep us posted!

[Ellie May]

Did the vet swab the ear and look at it under the microscope?

MVD can't be seen on ultrasound (unless the vet meant doing an ultrasound guided biopsy, but a lot of times those samples are too small).

The Denamarin could make it a bit easier for his liver to work, but the major goal to to help prevent further damage. Lactulose could stop the wobbly thing if its his liver.

I'd honestly be hoping that's what it is right now. If the vet doesn't think it's his liver or hypoglycemia, then it may be harder to deal with. If the vet feels that strongly that it's an inner ear problem, then why are they waiting to take a look?

[suruchi]

Ask them to check his calcium and albumin levels.

[aproctor]

Hi,

I am praying that you figure out what is going on with your baby, I am new to all of this so I don't have any advice as I am waiting on Bile acids tests for my little one too. I am hoping and praying you find out what is going on soon!! Hang in there!!

[CarlMommy]

Hi Everyone! WONDERFUL news to give you!!!! ) I got home Friday from work and he didn't seem to have ANY wobbliness, which was good news because when I talked to the vet(the 2nd one I had gone to), he told me that he thought if he did have the liver/gallbladder infection that he suspected he had that the anti biotics would have probably started working by now. He has shown NO signs of ANY wobbliness ALL weekend! I was so happy! Even though he was acting normally throughout that whole time, he seemed to have a little more spark in his running around the house this weekend. He still has 2 more antibiotic pills, will get one tonight and one tomorrow morning and then that will be finished but will still be on the liver supplement until thats gone. (I got a 30 day supply) I'm so excited to call and tell his doctor today how he's doing. Since the medication worked they think he just had an infection considering his blood work was all pretty good.

I am however going to switch his food to an all natural puppy food, just because I've read so many bad things about feeding them different dog foods that don't suite them well. Currently he eats Purina Puppy Chow(has been on this since I got him last July), what does everyone recommend? There is a store by my home that sells all natural foods, including dog food, so I was going to go there. Otherwise I've heard Royal Canine is good too... what do you guys suggest? Also, are treats ok? He likes to eat rawhide bones, bacon treats, things like that. He doesn't get any people food but does like his bones.

I am SO SO SO thankful to God for saving my little sweet man, he means the world to me, thank you everyone for your sweet messages and prayers. I am so thankful for a wonderful site like this .... I can't wait to post more pictures once I figure it out.

Heidi & Carl

[aproctor]

Yay!!
So happy to hear that he is doing better. I switched my Lucy to Fromm (a suggestion from someone on yorkietalk) and Lucy seems to really like it and you should be able to find it at the specialty pet stores.

Congratulations on your baby being better and I hope it continues that way!!

[CarlMommy]

I'm not sure what happened to my longer post on here that I made Monday morning.....but anyway, Carl has been doing FABULOUS! He hasn't had any wobblies, has been even more spunkier than normal and I think has been cured! His last anti biotic was yesterday morning but I'm still continuing him on the liver supplements for another month.

I also changed his food to Royal Canine for Yorkies, he loves its! I couldn't believe how much he was eating, I used to give him Purina Puppy Chow and so I mixed it 1/2 & 1/2 so that he would not get sick and he picked all the purina pieces out and would not eat them ... so this morning I gave him just the Royal Canine. It seems like he has an easier time pooping with this food too as before it always seemed like he had a hard time going. Also he no longer gets tap water, only bottled! I am so thankful for my little man... and thank you all for the wonderful help!

Heidi & Carl

[Heidicook11]

Sounds just like my boy "Shelby" right now. He has done this almost a year ago. Today he woke up wobbly and swinging head. Very much same details. We did all these test last spring and showed nothing. But now we are back today seeing same symptoms but less. So I am kinda waiting to see if he gets better. It took about three days. I am so lost. Would love to hear about anything you all try please. Thanks! It is just pitful!

[Jupiterlove]

I am going thru same thing. But Jupiter looks like her hind legs just give out then her front legs. Excitement brings it on and a couple of times just the excitement of getting a bite of human food like steak and peanut butter made her even go into like a dreamlike state. After a few seconds she snaps out of it. I live in KNOXVILLE TN so her vet is referring us to them tomorrow. Not sure if I get appt tomorrow but hoping so. This has been going on for 1 week today. It was last Sunday we noticed all this. But looking back while playing with her she seemed like she was clumsy when jumping and playing get the toy! I understand what your going thru. I hope all works out for both of us.

[Jupiterlove]

I meant to say she being referred to university of Tennessee.