YorkieTalk.com Forums - Yorkshire Terrier Community


Welcome to the YorkieTalk.com Forums Community - the community for Yorkshire Terriers.

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. You will be able to chat with over 35,000 YorkieTalk members, read over 2,000,000 posted discussions, and view more than 15,000 Yorkie photos in the YorkieTalk Photo Gallery after you register. We would love to have you as a member!

Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please click here to contact us.

Go Back   YorkieTalk.com Forums - Yorkshire Terrier Community > YorkieTalk > Yorkie Health & Diet
Register Blogs FAQ Calendar JavaChat Mark Forums Read

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 09-12-2008, 11:49 AM   #1
Gus Is The Fuss
Donating Member
 
Itspuppyluv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 2,277
Default Doctors think Gus has Microvascular Dysplasia

Anyone with any advice? It would be greatly appreciated. I'm so upset and unsure about the next step.
He had a bile acid test. It was 86.7.

I've read about the ultrasound not always being accurate but that's what my vet wanted to do and I thought it couldn't hurt. If they found a shunt, we'd have the answer.
The vet that did the ultrasound agreed about the accuracy but still feels it is probably not a shunt but MVD.

There weren't any abnormalities found.

Here is the diagnosis:
A portosystemic shunt is not identified, and the hallmark signs of portosystemic shunt such as a small liver, urinary calculi and large kidneys are not seen. Microvascular dysplasia/portal vein hypoplasia is a possibility, alternatively a central nervous system lesion may be causing these signs.

Recommendations: A possible next diagnostic step would be to obtain a liver biopsy under general anesthesia. At this time, with the patient completely still, a more thorough assessment of the portal vein may be possible.

My regular vet told me she's never treated a dog with MVD, if that is what it turned out to be, and would either be working with a specialist or would refer me to one. I have yet to speak with her (ultrasound was yesterday) but want to ask about doing the Protein C test some of you have suggested before going back to the other doctor for the biopsy. If the Protein C test is done does that mean he won't need the biopsy? I'm not clear exactly what the test shows. Is this what you'd recommend?

Anything else I should know or do?
I'm learning about things such as milk thistle, denosyl, the different vitamins that might help and diet. We've only thought liver shunt for five days and now MVD for one so I have a lot to learn.
__________________
Erin & Gus Gus You lost me at stay!
"He is a good heart and a kind soul, and an angel on four feet." MW

Itspuppyluv is offline   Reply With Quote
Welcome Guest!
Not Registered?

Join today and remove this ad!

Old 09-12-2008, 11:56 AM   #2
Donating YT 10K Club Member
 
bchgirl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: at da beach
Posts: 15,444
Blog Entries: 2
Default

Gus will be fine. It's treated by diet and supplements. There are a couple of members here whose dogs' have mvd.

Yorkieluv is one and I think Ellie May does too. You could send them pm's ...or wait a little while...I'm sure they'll see your thread and offer you some great advice.
__________________
Deb, Reese, Reggie, Frazier, Libby, Sidney, & Bodie
Trace & Ramsey who watch over us
www.biewersbythebay.com
bchgirl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2008, 12:27 PM   #3
Gus Is The Fuss
Donating Member
 
Itspuppyluv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 2,277
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by bchgirl View Post
Gus will be fine.

Thank you, I needed that.

I'll learn more from my vet but I don't think she is going to know anything about the protein C test so I'm holding off on the call.
Last I spoke with her, I got the impression this was worse than a shunt that could be repaired. So, for now I don't know what to think.
I can't find much information about MVD, how it affects them or if they have a shorter life expectancy.
__________________
Erin & Gus Gus You lost me at stay!
"He is a good heart and a kind soul, and an angel on four feet." MW

Itspuppyluv is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2008, 12:31 PM   #4
TLC
Slave to My Rug-Rats
Donating Member
 
TLC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Long Island
Posts: 7,247
Default

IMO a liver biopsy is REALLY invasive and I would not do it, unless they already were going in there for something else, like a spay or neuter.

Roxy's first BAT was 100.9 - we did the U/S and CBC and Urinalaysis and Coagulation - everything was normal. She has had about 5 BAT within the last year ranging from 62 to 85 - So both my general Vet and Internal Medicine Specialist feel she has MVD.

She show no signs of anything odd, so I am just treating her with a special diet and supplements. I will retest BAT yearly.
__________________
Adopt Donate Foster
www.yorkie911rescue.com
TLC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2008, 12:33 PM   #5
Donating YT 2000 Club Member
 
Ladymom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 8,317
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Itspuppyluv View Post
Anyone with any advice? It would be greatly appreciated. I'm so upset and unsure about the next step.
He had a bile acid test. It was 86.7.

I've read about the ultrasound not always being accurate but that's what my vet wanted to do and I thought it couldn't hurt. If they found a shunt, we'd have the answer.
The vet that did the ultrasound agreed about the accuracy but still feels it is probably not a shunt but MVD.

There weren't any abnormalities found.

Here is the diagnosis:
A portosystemic shunt is not identified, and the hallmark signs of portosystemic shunt such as a small liver, urinary calculi and large kidneys are not seen. Microvascular dysplasia/portal vein hypoplasia is a possibility, alternatively a central nervous system lesion may be causing these signs.

Recommendations: A possible next diagnostic step would be to obtain a liver biopsy under general anesthesia. At this time, with the patient completely still, a more thorough assessment of the portal vein may be possible.

My regular vet told me she's never treated a dog with MVD, if that is what it turned out to be, and would either be working with a specialist or would refer me to one. I have yet to speak with her (ultrasound was yesterday) but want to ask about doing the Protein C test some of you have suggested before going back to the other doctor for the biopsy. If the Protein C test is done does that mean he won't need the biopsy? I'm not clear exactly what the test shows. Is this what you'd recommend?

Anything else I should know or do?
I'm learning about things such as milk thistle, denosyl, the different vitamins that might help and diet. We've only thought liver shunt for five days and now MVD for one so I have a lot to learn.
At least your vet was honest about the fact she had never treated a dog with MVD. Most vets just don't know that much about liver disease because they don't see enough of it. They can waste a lot of time and money. The ultrasound is a good example. Dr. Center, the developer of the bile acids test, estimates that ultrasounds can be as low as only 60% reliable.

The next step after a high bile acids test is a protein C test. Then, depending on the results, a scintigraphy might be recommended.

Do you have a vet school near you? That would be your best place to take your Yorkie.

I've attached some informative links for you:

Hepatic Vascular Disorders - WSAVA 2006 Congress

Portosystemic Shunts FAQ
Ladymom is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2008, 12:34 PM   #6
TLC
Slave to My Rug-Rats
Donating Member
 
TLC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Long Island
Posts: 7,247
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Itspuppyluv View Post
Thank you, I needed that.

I'll learn more from my vet but I don't think she is going to know anything about the protein C test so I'm holding off on the call.
Last I spoke with her, I got the impression this was worse than a shunt that could be repaired. So, for now I don't know what to think.
I can't find much information about MVD, how it affects them or if they have a shorter life expectancy.
MVD is not a death sentence. He will live a normal and happy life, you will just have to feed him a low but quality food and treats and their are supplements to aide the liver.

Yorkieluv and Ellie May are so good with words...they should be finding this thread soon
__________________
Adopt Donate Foster
www.yorkie911rescue.com
TLC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2008, 12:36 PM   #7
TLC
Slave to My Rug-Rats
Donating Member
 
TLC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Long Island
Posts: 7,247
Default

You are in New Jersey, so if you really wanted to you could get a refferal and actually get a visit with Dr. Center - she is at Cornell University (NY)
__________________
Adopt Donate Foster
www.yorkie911rescue.com
TLC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2008, 12:39 PM   #8
Donating YT 2000 Club Member
 
Ladymom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 8,317
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by TLC View Post
You are in New Jersey, so if you really wanted to you could get a refferal and actually get a visit with Dr. Center - she is at Cornell University (NY)



Great advice!
Ladymom is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2008, 12:49 PM   #9
Gus Is The Fuss
Donating Member
 
Itspuppyluv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 2,277
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by TLC View Post
You are in New Jersey, so if you really wanted to you could get a refferal and actually get a visit with Dr. Center - she is at Cornell University (NY)
I could kiss you. That is exactly what I will do.

Thank you both so much. I feel like I can breathe again.
__________________
Erin & Gus Gus You lost me at stay!
"He is a good heart and a kind soul, and an angel on four feet." MW


Last edited by Itspuppyluv; 09-12-2008 at 12:51 PM.
Itspuppyluv is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2008, 01:00 PM   #10
Donating YT 30K Club Member
 
Patti's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Illinois
Posts: 35,509
Blog Entries: 6
Default

My 3 year old Cali has very mild MVD. Her first Bile Acid was 0/91 and 2nd was 0/47 or close to. She was under the care if an specialist anyway since she had been sick for months, so she did a ultrasound which showed no external shunt and then when she was spayed they did the liver biopsy. The biopsy showed a very mild MVD, which required no treatment. I keep her protein intake as low as I can, just as a precaution. That was when she was 8 months old and now she turned 3 in June and has had no health issues associated with the MVD. She has bad allergies and grade 4 LP but she lives a normal life. So try not to panic it can be treated or may be so mild that nothing has to be done. I know it is so scary when you first here about it. I will keep your baby in my prayers.
__________________
Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08
http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html
Patti is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2008, 01:04 PM   #11
And Rylee Finnegan
Donating Member
 
Ellie May's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Posts: 17,928
Default

Yes, go to Cornell.

It could be a shunt with those numbers.
It could be MVD.
It could be something else altogether.
If Gus is having neurologic symptoms, I would consider Protein C test and Scintography. What are his symptoms?

In most cases, MVD can be managed by diet and supplements (or occasionally nothing at all depending on severity) and these dogs will live a normal life. It is not a death sentence. Symptoms needs to be brought under control if it is MVD though (like seizures, stones...).

Last time Ellie's post bile acids were 106 but biopsy (only one sample was taken) showed no MVD. U/S showed no shunt but that is inconclusive. She doesn't really have neurologic symptoms though. Biopsy is usually not recommended unless the dog is already having surgery for something else. It is just too invasive.
__________________
Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶

Last edited by Ellie May; 09-12-2008 at 01:06 PM.
Ellie May is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2008, 01:28 PM   #12
YT 3000 Club Member
 
mscat's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Hanford, CA
Posts: 4,895
Default

You had great suggestions. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your baby.
__________________
"No matter how little money & how few possessions, you own, having a dog makes you rich."
mscat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2008, 02:17 PM   #13
Donating YT 2000 Club Member
 
Ladymom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 8,317
Default

If you scroll down to page 10, there is an excellent flow chart describing how liver disease is diagnosed. Dr. Center was a member of this roundtable discussion.

http://www.idexx.com/animalhealth/an...r0905final.pdf

You are so fortunate to be close enough to take your Yorkie to Dr. Center herself.
Ladymom is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2008, 04:19 PM   #14
Donating YT 3000 Club Member
 
Yorkieluv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: USA
Posts: 7,178
Default

What symptoms has your baby exhibited? Several of the symptoms often go unnoticed and are attributed to "not feeling well that day" or things like that.
Is Gus a picky eater? Ever had UTIs? Lethargy or reactions after any vaccinations? Ever lethargic, even if it's only occassionally? Vomitting? Act funny 3 or more hours after eating?

Did they do a urinalysis to check for crystals?
Did you have him tested because you were concerned about symptoms he was exhibiting?

The Protein C test won't necessarily tell you if your baby has MVD, but it will help decipher whether or not your baby may have a shunt.
__________________
Miko 's his Mommy
Yorkieluv is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2008, 02:28 PM   #15
Gus Is The Fuss
Donating Member
 
Itspuppyluv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 2,277
Default

He had a mild reaction after his rabies shot. He was 6 months old, he is almost four now. Since then, we get titers done so he has not had the shot since. He was lethargic, slight fever, wouldn’t eat and lost the hair permanently at the injection site.

I think of him as a picky eater because he would rather starve than eat something he doesn’t like but with the foods he likes he eats very well.

He is a good weight, never lethargic except after the rabies and one sick day. He has always been bouncing off the walls hyper, no UTIs. He only vomits bile if he has an empty stomach.

They did do a urinalysis, no crystals.

He has one symptom. He walks slowly around. Not in circles, just around the room. Like a video slowed down. He does it for 30 seconds to a minute or so. He is alert, if I call his name or move he stops. When someone has been there to see it they think he is playing. It looks as if he is stalking something. He does this for a minute and then is completely back to normal, even running around and playing seconds later.
He doesn’t always do it after eating. He’s done it a couple of hours after a full night’s sleep before he’s eaten anything. When he does do it after eating it’s never hours later, it is minutes.
__________________
Erin & Gus Gus You lost me at stay!
"He is a good heart and a kind soul, and an angel on four feet." MW

Itspuppyluv is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks



Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are Off




Google
 

SHOP NOW: Amazon :: eBay :: Buy.com :: Newegg :: PetStore :: Petco :: PetSmart


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 03:50 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright ©2003 - 2018 YorkieTalk.com
Privacy Policy - Terms of Use

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 276 277 278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 288 289 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 299 300 301 302 303 304 305 306 307 308 309 310 311 312 313 314 315 316 317 318 319 320 321 322 323 324 325 326 327 328 329 330 331 332 333 334 335 336 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344 345 346 347 348 349 350 351 352 353 354 355 356 357 358 359 360 361 362 363 364 365 366 367 368 369 370 371 372 373 374 375 376 377 378 379 380 381 382 383 384 385 386 387 388 389 390 391 392 393 394 395 396 397 398 399 400 401 402 403 404 405 406 407 408 409 410 411 412 413 414 415 416 417 418 419 420 421 422 423 424 425 426 427 428 429 430 431 432 433 434 435 436 437 438 439 440 441 442 443 444 445 446 447 448 449 450 451 452 453 454 455 456 457 458 459 460 461 462 463 464 465 466 467 468 469 470 471 472 473 474 475 476 477 478 479 480 481 482 483 484 485 486 487 488 489 490 491 492 493 494 495 496 497 498 499 500 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 508 509 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518 519 520 521 522 523 524 525 526 527 528 529 530 531 532 533 534 535 536 537 538 539 540 541 542 543 544 545 546 547 548 549 550 551 552 553 554 555 556 557 558 559 560 561 562 563 564 565 566 567 568 569 570 571 572 573 574 575 576 577 578 579 580 581 582 583 584 585 586 587 588 589 590 591 592 593 594 595 596 597 598 599 600 601 602 603 604 605 606 607 608 609 610 611 612 613 614 615 616 617 618 619 620 621 622 623 624 625 626 627 628 629 630 631 632 633 634 635 636 637 638 639 640 641 642 643 644 645 646 647 648 649 650 651 652 653 654 655 656 657 658 659 660 661 662 663 664 665 666 667 668 669 670 671 672 673 674 675 676 677 678 679 680 681 682 683 684 685 686 687 688 689 690 691 692 693 694 695 696 697 698 699 700 701 702 703 704 705 706 707 708 709 710 711 712 713 714 715 716 717 718 719 720 721 722 723 724 725 726 727 728 729 730 731 732 733 734 735 736 737 738 739 740 741 742 743 744 745 746 747 748 749 750 751 752 753 754 755 756 757 758 759 760 761 762 763 764 765 766 767 768 769 770 771 772 773 774 775 776 777 778 779 780 781 782 783 784 785 786 787 788 789 790 791 792 793 794 795 796 797 798 799 800 801 802 803 804 805 806 807 808 809 810 811 812 813 814 815 816 817 818 819 820 821 822 823 824 825 826 827 828 829 830 831 832 833 834 835 836 837 838 839 840 841 842 843 844 845 846 847 848 849 850 851 852 853 854 855 856 857 858 859 860 861 862 863 864 865 866 867 868 869 870 871 872 873 874 875 876 877 878 879 880 881 882 883 884 885 886 887 888 889 890 891 892 893 894 895 896 897 898 899 900 901 902 903 904 905 906 907 908 909 910 911 912 913 914 915 916 917 918 919 920 921 922 923 924 925 926 927 928 929 930 931 932 933 934 935 936 937 938 939 940 941 942 943 944 945 946 947 948 949 950 951 952 953 954 955 956 957 958 959 960 961 962 963 964 965 966 967 968 969 970 971 972 973 974 975 976 977 978 979 980 981 982 983 984 985 986 987 988 989 990 991 992 993 994 995 996 997 998 999 1000 1001 1002 1003 1004 1005 1006 1007 1008 1009 1010 1011 1012 1013 1014 1015 1016 1017 1018 1019 1020 1021 1022 1023 1024 1025 1026 1027 1028 1029 1030 1031 1032 1033 1034 1035 1036 1037 1038 1039 1040 1041 1042 1043 1044 1045 1046 1047 1048 1049 1050 1051 1052 1053 1054 1055 1056 1057 1058 1059 1060 1061 1062 1063 1064 1065 1066 1067 1068 1069 1070 1071 1072 1073 1074 1075 1076 1077 1078 1079 1080 1081 1082 1083 1084 1085 1086 1087 1088 1089 1090 1091 1092 1093 1094 1095 1096 1097 1098 1099 1100 1101 1102 1103 1104 1105 1106 1107 1108 1109 1110 1111 1112 1113 1114 1115 1116 1117 1118 1119 1120 1121 1122 1123 1124 1125 1126 1127 1128 1129 1130 1131 1132 1133 1134 1135 1136 1137 1138 1139 1140 1141 1142 1143 1144 1145 1146 1147 1148 1149 1150 1151 1152 1153 1154 1155 1156 1157 1158 1159 1160 1161 1162 1163 1164 1165 1166 1167