Dear Zoes Mom,
I don't mind at all sharing Emily's bile acid tests. The day she had a siezure they did a post (she'd eaten the night before, even though she threw it up on the way to the vet they said a pre bile test wouldn't be accurate. The alt's & ast's were all elevated. This led them to do a post bile test. We fed her treats (she wouldn't eat at the vets) and then they tested her. This test came out at 46. Normal range is 10-20. They told us it was indicative on a liver shunt and we needed to get her to a specialist. This is when I came upon this great forum . I came home and starting researching what a liver shunt was. Of course the day after the siezure we were still so shocked, stunned and saddend about what this could mean for Emily. We were going to take her to University of Tennessee because of the research being done by Dr. Karen Tobias. There is also a fund to help pay for the surgery. One of the qualifications is to have a pre & a post bile acid test done. We called the vet and told them we needed it repeated. She fasted 12 hours (night time included). We were curious if the post test would be any different. Still wondering if she got into something in the yard. That test came back pre - 2, post - 36. They still suggested we get her tested for LS. We took her to her pediatrician vet who said he would still take her to a vet school. We decided on Auburn because Tennessee was going to do the radioactive ultrasound(requires a day in confinement). So off to Auburn we go. They were great. The first thing they said, was that most liver shunt yorkies have a post over 100. They would do tests but it probably wasn't liver shunt. Well, were home now and happily watching her play, run, eat as normal. If I were you I would take Zoe to your local or best Vet school. They will do a complete diagnostic workup and it will help relieve your mind.
Take care
Linda |