[MyFairLacy]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

This is what I don't like about the current protocol (BAT, Protein C then Scint. if necessary). A normal Protein C and high bile acids is not always MVD and with no biopsy, we can't be sure. Then again, biopsy is kind of risky. I just don't get the high BAT, normal Protein C always meaning call it MVD in Yorkies. Then again, Dr. Center is really the expert.

And I really don't see how doing a BAT at 20 weeks then following the same protocol prevents overdiagnosis because a dog can have other types of liver disease at that age and high BA unless I'm missing something.

All I know is UT does more LS surgeries on Yorkies than anyone else could hope to it appears. They have a good anesthetic protocol and, in my opinion, they seem to have the best safety record and less complications.

I know...liver disease can be so difficult to diagnose. A lot of times it IS a shunt or MVD with yorkies..but then there are so many other liver diseases too such as damage from a toxin, infection (from several different viruses, bacteria and parasites), cancer, fatty liver, etc. etc.

I will always test any puppy I get from now on to make sure I'm not buying a puppy with a congenital shunt or MVD...but then there is always the possiblity that an older dog can develop and aquired shunt, MVD, or any number of other liver diseases.