Quote:
Originally Posted by Ellie May  I agree.
It is easy to do in Texas.
But then it comes down to, I see a huge trend right now. Vets are learning about the Protein C test, getting the results back and still doing more testing...
So it almost seems pointless now. 
I think if it comes back normal and MVD is suspected, they will stil want to do a biopsy (unstandably so because normal Protein C doesn't always mean MVD but is the biopsy really worth the risk...probably not). |
I'd get the Protein C test done locally, but go to U of Tenn if any other tests like scintigraphy are indicated.
One of the main reasons for getting bile acids tested when a puppy is young according to Dr. Center is to avoid over testing and invasive testing like biopsies later on.
This is from page 22 of Dr. Center's seminar handout. Based on her research, she has changed the recommended age from four months to five months:
2: The best approach to avoid "over diagnosis" is to test bile acids in young dogs of highly affected breeds (at 4 mths of age) while they are clinically healthy and before they are adopted into pet homes. Highly affected breeds include: Yorkshire Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Maltese, Tibetan Spaniels as well as many other "terrier" type breeds (Miniature Schnauzer, Lhasa Apso, Shih Tzu, Dachshund, Bichon Frise, Pekingese, Toy and Miniature Poodles, and Havanese and others). Proactive assessment of serum bile acids will limit the awkward circumstance imposed when an MVD dog, with minor health issues, is suddenly recognized to have abnormal bile acids by a pet owner's veterinarian. This circumstance can lead to unnecessary diagnostic confusion and unwarranted invasive tests such as liver biopsy and portovenography.