[kjc]

I had my vet call the U of Tenn for advice for my dog, the vet there said the number one absolute best thing you can do for any liver challenged dog is get the dog on a low protein diet. My dog's post BAT was 126, so probable Liver Shunt. The U of Tenn vet recommended Hill's Prescription L/D Diet, that is what they have seen the best improvements with. The kibble is 14.5% protein, 20% fat, Brewers rice and pork fat listed as first 2 ingredients. It is important to get them on more easily digestible proteins (vegetable/grain) as the digestion of meat makes more work for the liver. (more byproducts/toxins that need to be filtered out of the bloodstream) as I understand this process.

I, myself, would not do a liver biopsy to diagnose/verify MVD as with BAT under 100, treatment doesn't change. Just IMHO.

Many dogs have a high preprandial result due to the involuntary release of bile acids during the night of fasting prior to the BAT.