YorkieTalk.com Forums - Yorkshire Terrier Community - View Single Post - Possible liver shunt

Ellie May · 02-10-2008, 10:01 AM

I'm so sorry.

I would definately do a bile acid test BEFORE putting her on Ursodiol/Actigall because it can skew the results.

If it were my dog and the vet feels it is already time for a specialist, I would put her on Denosyl OR VetriDMG and Hepatosupport along with a low protein diet while waiting to see the specialist. The diet would either be Science Diet L/D (canned is best) or Royal Canin LS 14 kibble.

You can do a Protein C test. This helps distinguish between a liver shunt and microvascular dysplasia...MVD (small shunts throughout the liver). Extrahepatic liver shunts are outside the liver and are usually operable. Intrahepatic shunts are inside the liver and aren't operable. These are less common in Yorkies. MVD is not operable and the dog should be supplemented.

A biopsy is fine to do if your dog is stable. I wouldn't waste money on a needle biopsy. They need to open her up to get the best sample. If they do this make sure they take more than one piece of liver. It is easier to check fo MVD this way. A biopsy may not be necessary...

Ultrasounds sometimes don't show shunts, so I would go with scintography over an ultrasound. Ultrasounds are a good choice if kidney function is in question...if the vet thinks she has stones...a possible by-product of liver shunt.

02-10-2008, 10:01 AM	#2
Ellie May And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI Posts: 17,928	I'm so sorry. I would definately do a bile acid test BEFORE putting her on Ursodiol/Actigall because it can skew the results. If it were my dog and the vet feels it is already time for a specialist, I would put her on Denosyl OR VetriDMG and Hepatosupport along with a low protein diet while waiting to see the specialist. The diet would either be Science Diet L/D (canned is best) or Royal Canin LS 14 kibble. You can do a Protein C test. This helps distinguish between a liver shunt and microvascular dysplasia...MVD (small shunts throughout the liver). Extrahepatic liver shunts are outside the liver and are usually operable. Intrahepatic shunts are inside the liver and aren't operable. These are less common in Yorkies. MVD is not operable and the dog should be supplemented. A biopsy is fine to do if your dog is stable. I wouldn't waste money on a needle biopsy. They need to open her up to get the best sample. If they do this make sure they take more than one piece of liver. It is easier to check fo MVD this way. A biopsy may not be necessary... Ultrasounds sometimes don't show shunts, so I would go with scintography over an ultrasound. Ultrasounds are a good choice if kidney function is in question...if the vet thinks she has stones...a possible by-product of liver shunt. __________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶 Last edited by Ellie May; 02-10-2008 at 10:03 AM.