Quote:
Originally Posted by katelin  Bile acid test is done fasting. No food for several hours before the test, then blood is drawn, then food given and more blood drawn. Try to have the test done first thing in the morning so he doesn't have to go all night and all day without food.
Good luck.  |
Dr. Center no longer recommends fasting before a bile acids test. This is from page 5 of the handout at her seminars:
7. Random "Fasting" Bile Acids ARE NOT reliable for RULING OUT liver dysfunction or abnormal portal circulation. Rather, you need PAIRED SAMPLES AROUND A MEAL. We no longer collect 12-hr fasting bile acids but instead collect a bile acid sample before a meal (pre-meal) and 2 hours after a meal (post-meal or postprandial)." (all emphasis was added by Dr. Center, not me)
A bile acids test should be done on all Yorkie puppies before they ever go to their new homes according to Dr. Center because liver shunts are so prevalent in the breed. Did you know that Yorkies are 36 times more likely to have a liver shunt than all other breeds combined?
No vet should ever suggest putting an inexpensive and non-invasive BAT test on the back burner when a Yorkie puppy has symptoms like yours does IMO.