[kjc]

Hi,
My Tinkerbell has been asymptomatic from the start, so once I got over needing to know what it is ...my vet convinced me that nutritional management with medications as needed is the way to go with her. I feel lucky that she has no symptoms other than being unable to process anesthetics from her spay. She's usually very happy and active.

One thing with LS, if they do an operation and it's unsuccessful, either another shunt appears or she has MVD ... it may have to be managed thru diet and meds anyway. I guess it depends on the dog's age and the severity of the shunting. Tink is 2.5 years old and her BA tests were both high (pre = 44.8 norm is <10, post= 126.7, norm is <20), Alk Phos was 158, (norm is 5-131), ALT=421 (Norm is 12-118), AST=114 Norm is (15-66) We adopted her from the Humane Society (she had been dumped there twice already) Her meds run about $50.00 a month and she gets rechecks if I see a problem or every 6 months. We got her April 1 this year, so I'm still learning about this horrible (because it can be prevented through proper breeding ethics) disease.

Keep us updated and sincerely the absolute Best of Luck...