Here's my situation.
Roxy and TJ are 1/2 Brother / Sister. My groomer purchased 2 females from the place I got mine from. One of her females had abnormal blood test results. Another customer of the groomer also purchased a male from that place too, the male died at some point. Anyway, the 2 females and the male are from Roxy's parents. (TJ has the same father too).
Well, I got so nervous. Roxy and TJ don't show any clinical signs, however, Roxy can be very docile, sometimes too docile. Her Ortho Specialist thought she was too docile for a Yorkie and suggested doing a BAT test on her. Once I told her the 'other news' of the 'other Yorkies with the same parents' - well, we knew we must do further testing.
I had given them their Intercepter and Frontline approx. 10 days before the BAT test (which I should have waited longer, but didn't realize that could possibly throw the #s). Anyway...
August BAT:
Roxy had a post # of 100.9
TJ had a post # 41 (approx.)
They sent me to a Specialist for an U/S. Once there, they did more blood work and urine analysis. All came back normal, nothing else 'funny' to point towards liver disease. So we did the U/S - They saw Roxy's liver was normal shape and normal size. They didn't see a shunt....however...that test is not 100% - so there still could have been a shunt
That was really upsetting to pay $350 for a U/S that isn't even an accurate measure.
So, both Roxy and TJ are on a special home cooked diet (low but quality protein) - They get lots of vitamins and supplements to help with liver function.
I retested in Oct, making sure it was a whole month after giving Interceptor and Frontline:
Roxy had a post # of 61 (approx.)
TJ had a post # of 21
After this test the Specialist is leaning towards Roxy having MVD - but we can't be sure unless we do a liver biopsy. I just can't fathom putting her through that type of surgery. She is doing AWESOME with her diet and supplements.
TJ I am not sure there's anything wrong.
I am doing the BAT again in the mid of January - to get a better idea.
I hope that helps you. I would hold off on the U/S - I would re do the BATs and make sure he hasn't had shots and meds, etc. A clean start so to say. I would also have them do a complete blood panel and urine analysis - Once you get all those results see what a Specialist says about it. And there are 'other' more accurate tests other than a U/S - Don't wast your $ on that.
We are all here for you if you have questions....
Best of Luck
