Tibbe's BAT Test Abnormal and Levels High!!!

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

I'll always get a BAT as a matter of course on any Yorkie/dog w/repeating tummy issues from now on. If I'd just known this last year and gotten one then, we might have saved him some liver or other damage and a whole lot of misery! I feel guilty as all get out even though his vets never ever suggested it once and they seemed to some extent think I was an overworrier - at least I got that feeling - might have been just me but I think I'm right about that.

Oh, and don't worry too much. The biopsy results on Teddy Bear were relatively good considering....you have to expect some damage when they have a shunt; but Teddy Bear is 8 years old and I would have expected him to be much worse. Hopefully Tibbe will be just fine! You also should not feel guilty...how in the heck would you have knonw??? You have gone to the vet and done all you can!

[tokipoki]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

He is on canned Hill's Ideal Balance, Mature Adult Gourmet Turkey or Chicken (not the savory stew as it has higher protein). It has undergone feeding trials for adult maintenance and has lower fat which was what Teddy needs....it has some protein restriction but she said that it meets the NRC recommended allowance for protein for adult maintenance.

Toki is on the grain-free Ideal Balance with also some canned senior foods. I guess I considered Hill's IB low protein but compared to Rx foods, it makes sense that it's more moderate. No issues so far.

I'm curious as to what they'll recommend for Tibbe. Hope he's feeling better and getting some rest.

[dottiesyrky]

The reason I mentioned this in an earlier post is because I saw this on a search. May be totally useless info and apologies if it is irrelevant.

'Liver Problems and Other Internal Conditions
Itching from liver problems, according to the Mayo Clinic, is all over the body, increases at night, and is not relieved by moisturising, antihistamines or home remedies for dry skin. This type of whole-body itching could also indicate other internal conditions like coeliac disease, iron deficiency anaemia, thyroid problems and certain cancers, including leukaemia and lymphoma.
Why Liver Problems Make Skin Itch
The uncontrollable itching that comes with liver problems happens when the liver can no longer perform its job of filtering toxins out of the body, according to the University of Illinois Medical Center. As the bile and wastes build up in your blood, they make the skin incredibly itchy, especially at night.'

[Buster Brown]

Originally Posted by dottiesyrky

The reason I mentioned this in an earlier post is because I saw this on a search. May be totally useless info and apologies if it is irrelevant.

'Liver Problems and Other Internal Conditions
Itching from liver problems, according to the Mayo Clinic, is all over the body, increases at night, and is not relieved by moisturising, antihistamines or home remedies for dry skin. This type of whole-body itching could also indicate other internal conditions like coeliac disease, iron deficiency anaemia, thyroid problems and certain cancers, including leukaemia and lymphoma.
Why Liver Problems Make Skin Itch
The uncontrollable itching that comes with liver problems happens when the liver can no longer perform its job of filtering toxins out of the body, according to the University of Illinois Medical Center. As the bile and wastes build up in your blood, they make the skin incredibly itchy, especially at night.'

My grandfather had this problem. The hospital put mittens on him at night so he would not scratch too much. Jeanie I wonder if you could get socks for Tibbe so he would not scratch himself raw?

[sandy simpson]

I am praying for Tibbe. That poor little dog is going through so much and so are you! Know that we all are hoping for good news.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by dottiesyrky

The reason I mentioned this in an earlier post is because I saw this on a search. May be totally useless info and apologies if it is irrelevant.

'Liver Problems and Other Internal Conditions
Itching from liver problems, according to the Mayo Clinic, is all over the body, increases at night, and is not relieved by moisturising, antihistamines or home remedies for dry skin. This type of whole-body itching could also indicate other internal conditions like coeliac disease, iron deficiency anaemia, thyroid problems and certain cancers, including leukaemia and lymphoma.
Why Liver Problems Make Skin Itch
The uncontrollable itching that comes with liver problems happens when the liver can no longer perform its job of filtering toxins out of the body, according to the University of Illinois Medical Center. As the bile and wastes build up in your blood, they make the skin incredibly itchy, especially at night.'

Thank you! I did know from working in medicine so long that liver disease can cause whole-body or isolated itching and that was always a consideration but Tibbe's only seems to be associated with certain foods - so far. He's always occas. rubbed his face when I'm getting up to take him outside or he goes to the restroom with me - I say always - he does it sporadically and not every day but only at those times when he does do it. But since his food change, both with the RC GI and the Hill's I/D Low Fat, he started rubbing his body/face/head and scratching within a short certain period of time after eating them and rubs/scratches nonstop on everything he can find. Is extremely restless and moves from one place to another, whines - asking me to help him stop this feeling. And after those two foods, the rubbing/scratching is just continual and unremitting and obviously terribly stressful and exhausting. If his itching didn't always seem tied to food, I would think it was from just the liver itself but it very well still could be the foods he can't tolerate irritate his liver in some extra way and/or he's just allergic to something in them. And the vet did mention his itching could be from just his liver but it didn't seem to be so far.

Dottiesyrky, I thank you so much for posting this great information because it is something that everyone should know about the liver and itching! It is posts like yours that keep YorkieTalk the mine of information that it is and teaching me and others every single day. On Tibbe's other sick thread about this, I've picked up so much information I didn't know about shunts and diagnostics and treatment - it would have taken me days to have found all of that online just searching! Days.

So many threads about sick dogs on YT are loaded with this kind of information from all of ya'll. I purposefully don't go into the Sick/Injured section much because I can't be much help there and it is so upsetting. But this information post by dottiesyrky and so many of you on those Sick/Injured threads is making me rethink that. I need to read more of this kind of information just for general knowledge as a dog owner and on those threads, I see a lot of this kind of post. I need to know way, way more so I'm going to start reading more in that section.

If it weren't for YT, I highly doubt Tibbe's advance toward getting a diagnosis would be anywhere near as close as it is tonight. Bless the day I joined YT!

[yorkietalkjilly]

The vet let him come home for the night and he's got his new meds, directions to go back to Hill's I/D GI until his imaging test and the internist consult and she'l tell me what to do then. He said expect him to be sleepy tonight and thank God, he is. He's asleep! So far since we got home, no itching! Vet said his N&V shouldn't recur tonight from his meds given there this afternoon though and just call the imaging center - Animal Imaging in Irving, Texas tomorrow and set up the test and then he'll call with the results and who to see next, likely the internist. He said they might give him a bit of anesthesia for the test to keep him still but we need the test - so be it. He's got a little dressing on his left foreleg from the IV.

So far tonight, so good. Please keep your prayers and good thoughts coming. I could hug each one of you as I read your consoling and hopeful, helpful words.

[Lori-M]

I'm still praying for your baby and hated to see that his results came back abnormal. Virtual hugs to both of you. Hoping you can get a bit of rest tonight so you can determine the next best step for your baby.

[ladyjane]

Prayers for Tibbe and for you, Jeanie. I hope you have a restful night.

[horsnaround]

Sending prayers. Get some rest

[MyDearSam]

Definitely get some rest, lady! If Tibbe is resting tonight, you should too. As much as you can get; you don't need to let yourself get worn down!

[yorkietalkjilly]

He got up just now and stretched and yawned, got water and went right back to bed. For some reason, he's electing to sleep in his airline carrier with his CedricNLola blanket filling the bottom on top of the little fuzzy pad in it. I just sat it down right by the couch when we got back from the vet tonight and he drank water, went outside and back into it. He came with me to the bathroom while I showered and changed into my gown and then he spent some time with me on the couch and then right back down into his carrier. I think he feels comfy there and it is right by the couch so I can see his face by leaning down some.

Still no itching, restlessness, vomiting, diarrhea or anything like last night! I'm so happy that he's resting tonight, so grateful for vets and dog-smart people. I think I might even be able to sleep some tonight in spite of the sneezing. My trips to the restroom are better today, too.

[kjc]

Glad you're feeling better... and Tibbe too!

[dottiesyrky]

Thank you for your kind words on my itching info and for taking my comment in the spirit in which it was posted. I did not know the history of Tibbe and his reactions to food, but now from what you stated, it does seem he does have sensitivity to food. That is a pain especially if his diet may be limited to foods that may not suit him. I am so happy his trip to the vet today has left him more peaceful and comfortable. What a difference from yesterday and last night. You must be so relieved to see him resting and behaving in a mainly normal fashion tonight. He feels very calm and secure in his little carrier, knowing you are near him and watching over him. I am sorry you are not feeling well yourself, but you have been through hell and back these past days and nights, and it has taken its toll on your health. Hope a peaceful and uneventful sleep tonight will leave you feeling so much better tomorrow. You sure need a rest!
You are right about the great support of YT members, it is so comforting and helpful to hear the experiences of and help from others who have been through similar trials with their babies. I know I have been so grateful for YT when my babies have had health and other issues that concerned me.
Hoping the remaining tests allow a definitive diagnosis and successful treatment soon. Prayers and warm wishes for Tibbe and you. Sweet dreams!

[Verbena]

I am so happy to hear that he has no itching, restlessness, vomiting or diarrhea. I hope the drs will have answers for you this morning. I wish i had some wisdom to give you. it breaks my heart that he is sick. Good thoughts and blessings to you both.